Opening Ceremony of the 2025–2026 Academic Year Held at the Presidential Complex

Standing out with its initiatives that strengthen social responsibility awareness, Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) is once again preparing to host a comprehensive blood donation campaign this year. The university aims to raise its donation target in 2025 to achieve the Gold Medal. Before the event, teams from the Turkish Red Crescent visited IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin in his office. During the meeting, the Silver Plaque—awarded to the university for its successful blood donation campaign in 2024—was presented to Prof. Şahin. The visit also highlighted the importance of sustainable blood donation initiatives in fostering social solidarity.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2025–2026 Higher Education Academic Year was held at the Presidential Complex with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the ceremony, which brought together university representatives from across Türkiye, the importance of the internationalization of the higher education system, the capacity for scientific production, and the qualified human resources being trained in the defense industry were emphasized.

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) participated in the opening ceremony of the Barrier-Free Life House project, initiated by Bakırköy Municipality. The ceremony was attended by IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin, Vice Director of the Vocational School of Health Services Asst. Prof. Nurcihan Tan Erkoç, and Head of the Digital Health Systems Technician Program Lect. Ebru Cengiz. As part of the project, IGU will develop a special educational program to provide various training courses for individuals with disabilities. The programs, conducted by IGU academicians, aim to support the active participation of disabled individuals in social life and enhance their quality of life.

Organized for the first time this year as part of TEKNOFEST 2025, the Quantum Technologies Software Competition was held between September 1–3, 2025, at Gebze Informatics Valley. Out of 94 teams that applied from all over Turkey, 65 teams were selected after the preliminary round, and 10 of them advanced to the finals. The finalists competed over a challenging three-day hackathon to develop innovative solutions in the field of quantum technologies.

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Disaster and Emergency Coordination Unit organized a “Disaster and Awareness Training for Staff and Students” in line with the official directive sent by the Istanbul Governorship and the Provincial Disaster and Emergency Directorate. During the training, participants were informed about the “Drop-Cover-Hold On” technique and building evacuation procedures within the framework of workplace emergency plans.

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) has achieved another significant success in the 2026 World University Rankings announced by the international higher education ranking organization Times Higher Education (THE). According to the 2026 results, IGU maintained its position in the 1001–1200 band worldwide, ranking 9th among foundation universities, 16th in Türkiye overall, and 2nd in Turkey in the Research Quality category. In the international visibility category, IGU ranked 6th, right after Bogazici University, strengthening Turkey’s position in global higher education with its research strength and international impact capacity.

In line with its internationalization vision, Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) hosted an important collaboration meeting. On October 7, 2025, Daryl Smith, a representative from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), one of Canada's distinguished higher education institutions, visited IGU. The visit marked a strategic step towards strengthening academic and cultural ties between the two universities.

Prof. Bahri Şahin, Rector of Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), paid a congratulatory visit to Prof. Mehmet Emin Okur on the occasion of his appointment as the Rector of Marmara University. During the visit, Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli, Secretary General of IGU, and Prof. İzzet Gümüş, Director of the Graduate Education Institute, accompanied Rector Şahin. The meeting involved a fruitful exchange of ideas on potential future academic collaborations, joint research projects, and initiatives to enhance educational quality between the two universities.

The placement results for the 2025 Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) have been announced. Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), which provided comprehensive guidance services to help candidates make informed and conscious choices during the preference period, will continue to support students throughout the enrollment process. During the preference period, IGU offered one-on-one counseling, opportunities to meet with faculty members, explore the campus, and learn about scholarship options. The university, which contributes to students' confident steps toward the future, will maintain its support during the registration phase as well.