100 Signatures for Youth

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) has launched the ‘Common Future Meetings’ (Ortak Gelecek Buluşmaları) series to offer new career opportunities to its students by developing collaborations with companies operating across Turkey. Establishing partnerships across various sectors in the fields of education, employment, research, and development, IUE has signed protocols with 9 companies over the past month. The collaborations established with Hugo Boss, Atlas Trafo, Hapag-Lloyd, Sandalyeci, Europap Tezol, Uniteks, ByKepi, Gram Equipment, and Franklin Electric-İmpo Motor Pompa have become a concrete example of the strong bond between the university and the business world. Stating that the number of companies signing protocols will reach 30 by the end of the year and that they aim to increase this number to 100 within a year, IUE Advisor to the Rector Asst. Prof. Dr. Burçin Önder said, “We are building a comprehensive cooperation network that brings together the University's knowledge base with the power of the business world.”

Thanks to the protocols signed between Izmir University of Economics and the companies, students will have the opportunity to get to know different sectors closely, experience business processes on-site, and build career-oriented connections while continuing their education. Internship and workplace-based learning opportunities will increase. IUE youth will apply their theoretical knowledge in a real business environment and have the opportunity to directly observe industry expectations.

QUALIFIED HUMAN RESOURCES

The collaborations will not be limited solely to the career opportunities offered to students. Companies will also be able to benefit from IUE’s academic expertise and qualified human resources. New areas of work will also be created for joint research and development (R&D) activities, project generation, training programs, and sectoral gatherings. By reflecting the current needs and expectations of the business world into its educational processes, IUE will further strengthen its applied education model integrated with the industry.

“WE ARE BUILDING A PERMANENT ECOSYSTEM”

Pointing out that they are in constant contact with different sectors, IUE Advisor to the Rector Asst. Prof. Dr. Burçin Önder emphasized the importance of the ‘Common Future Meetings’ series. Expressing that they have created an ecosystem based on mutual trust that will continue to grow over time and that offers applied education opportunities to young people, Önder said: “The quality of the relationship universities establish with their surroundings also determines the contribution they make to the development of the city and region they are located in. As Izmir University of Economics, we attach importance to building stronger ties with our city’s production, trade, and entrepreneurship capacity, and expanding this network with different institutions on a national scale. We are also pleased that through permanent collaborations, we will extend our University's knowledge and experience to a wider area. These partnerships also lay a strong foundation for new collaborations to be established in the upcoming period.”

“A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK IS BEING FORMED”

IUE Career Guidance and Alumni Relations Director Özge Kulaçoğlu stated that they place great importance on raising students as individuals who are prepared for business life, saying: “It is of great importance for our students’ career development that they communicate directly with industry professionals, observe different work cultures, and find opportunities to express themselves. Over time, we expect these collaborations to transform into mentorship relationships, new connections, and different career opportunities after graduation. As the Directorate, our goal is not just for our students to think about life after graduation; it is to contribute to them growing into individuals who set their own goals during their university years, recognize their strengths, and are better prepared for business life.”