Istanbul Medipol University has added another international academic collaboration agreement to its portfolio. In this context, an academic collaboration agreement was signed between Istanbul Medipol University and Astana Medical University in Kazakhstan. The agreement was signed in Kazakhstan by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ömer Ceran, and Kamalzhan Nadyrov, Chairman of the Board of Astana Medical University. Our Vice Dean, Prof. Dr. Ufuk Şakul, and our International Office Manager, Abdullah Selim Vardarbaş, also attended the signing ceremony. Following the ceremony, Ceran, Şakul, and Vardarbaş held a meeting with Kazakhstan's Minister of Health, Akmaral Alnazarova, on behalf of Medipol. During the meeting, there was an exchange of information about the healthcare systems in Kazakhstan and Türkiye. Minister Alnazarova praised the healthcare system in Türkiye and expressed a desire to benefit from the educational quality of Istanbul Medipol University throughout Kazakhstan.

The “Mectalks EXPO” event organized by Istanbul Medipol University Management and Economics Club (MEC) ended. At the event held at the South Campus Conference Hall, TAV Airports Chief Human Resources Officer Hakan Öker, Pegasus Airlines Head of Legal Counseling and Director of Sustainability Ali Uzun, Ülker Chairman of the Board of Directors Ahmet Bal, Renault Mais Chief Executive Officer Dr. Berk Çağdaş, Koç Holding Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Kenan Yılmaz and American Life Chief Servant Ufuk Vurdum shared their experiences with the participants.

DR. ÇAĞDAŞ: SELF-AWARENESS IS THE FIRST STEP FOR YOUR CAREER
In the program that attracted great interest from students, Renault Mais CEO Dr. Berk Çağdaş touched upon the issue of self-awareness. Çağdaş said: “Both being aware of yourself and believing in yourself are essential. Not having regrets is the most important awareness practice I would recommend. Don’t dwell on regrets. Embracing this philosophy makes it easier to move forward in life.”

BAL: YOUR PRIORITY SHOULD BE MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Ülker Chairman of the Board Ahmet Bal listed the important factors of career life in items. Emphasizing that the priority in career life is mental, physical, and emotional health, Bal said: “You can think of these three items I mentioned as a one placed before a zero. Support your physical health by choosing sports suitable to you. Also, clear, simple, and healthy communication is important in every aspect of life. Improve your communication skills both in business and in private life. Thirdly, know yourself well and set goals by measuring your skills. Focus on your goals with a persistent and follower attitude.”

A “Green Transformation-Focused Entrepreneurship” conversation was held for Medipol META Talks meetings organized by Istanbul Medipol University Technology Transfer Office. As speakers, the Director of Istanbul Medipol University Sustainable Development Application and Research Center (SURKAM) Prof. Rana Atabay Kuşcu, the Founder of MikroalgeX Giuliano Regonesi, and the Deputy Dean of the School of Pharmacy Dr. Ayşe Esra Karadağ participated in the meetings held at the North Campus. Prof. Kuşçu was the first to speak in the conversation and said that the biggest cause of climate change is humans. Kuşçu stated that carbon consumption, hunger, and migration are among the causes of climate change. Emphasizing the 17-item ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, Kuşçu underlined that the green transformation in the industry supports the economy by contributing to both the strategic goals of companies and employment. The Founder of MikroalgeX Giuliano Regonesi stated that their aim as a company is to ensure that the places where people live are clean, healthy, and livable. Noting that microalgae technology is used for cleaning the air, Regonesi added that the device they developed absorbs carbon dioxide, releases oxygen, and destroys bacteria, viruses, and chemicals in the environment. Dr. Ayşe Esra Karadağ also emphasized that microalgae can be used in raw materials, such as food, medicine, vitamins, and proteins, and that microalgae waste contributes to the circular economy.