Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bora Bayraktar, a journalist and faculty member of our International Relations Department, was this month's guest at the traditional leadership and vision meetings held at the Design Factory in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bayraktar answered questions on the topic of Strategic Management and Crisis Communication Management.

In her opening speech before the seminar, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fadime Üney Yüksektepe stated, “Educational management, by its very nature, is a field intertwined with multiple generations. Our work is a multifaceted area. We value effective communication with young people, researchers, scientists and thinkers, stakeholders from the business world and civil society organizations. Furthermore, we are in an era that necessitates awareness in risk and crisis management. In this regard, the seminar by our esteemed professor from the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bora Bayraktar, has been a very valuable guide for us.”

Assoc. Prof. Bora Bayraktar: “Strategic communication is not a promotional activity, it is a form of governance”

Speaking at a seminar on Strategic Communication and Crisis Communication Management, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bora Bayraktar emphasized that communication today has moved beyond being limited to message transmission and has transformed into a governance tool. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bayraktar defined strategic communication as “a process carried out in a planned, measurable, and coordinated manner in line with predetermined goals”, while underlining that this approach should not be confused with advertising, press releases, or statements made during a crisis. Our professor stated, “For an institution to make a press release after a crisis is communication; anticipating the crisis and creating appropriate discourse sets is strategic communication.” Drawing attention to the fact that strategic communication is located at the intersection of strategy, communication, and management disciplines today, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bayraktar stated that speed, consistency, and narrative continuity are among the key determinants. “Good strategic communication does not manage crises; it prevents crises from becoming destructive”, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bayraktar, and stated that this approach offers an indispensable framework for institutions and public administration.

Strategic Mistake: Giving the Same Message to Everyone

Associate Professor Dr. Bayraktar, who also touched upon the practical dimension of strategic communication, summarized the importance of the target audience in the process with the following words: “Giving the same message to different stakeholders such as students, families, academics, the public, and decision-makers is a strategic mistake. Messages for different target audiences should not contradict each other. Consistency and timing are important in the narrative. When the right message is given at the wrong time, it can deepen the crisis.”

Crisis is Inevitable Without Risk Communication

During the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Bayraktar highlighted the key differences between risk and crisis communication. Emphasizing that risk is a pre-event, manageable stage, Bayraktar noted that crisis communication begins exactly where risk communication fails. He stated that the goal of risk communication is not merely to persuade the public, but to prepare the organization for potential threats, noting that scenario-based planning and communication guidelines play a critical role at this stage. Highlighting that the most common mistakes during a crisis are prolonged silence, contradictory statements, and a defensive tone, Dr. Bayraktar emphasized that communication can never serve as a substitute for concrete action.

Launched under the leadership of the Istanbul Kültür University Dean of Students Office - Kültür Point and coordinated by the IKU Sustainable Development Center (SÜRKAM), the Global Development Goals Podcast Series aims to raise awareness and facilitate knowledge sharing in the field of sustainable development.

Designed to strengthen sustainability awareness within Istanbul Kültür University, the series explores the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with contributions from expert academics and researchers. Each episode focuses on a different goal, evaluating the relationship between sustainability and education, research, and social contribution in an accessible and engaging language.

Supported by the Design Factory’s technical infrastructure, the series aims to bring the concept of sustainability to a wider audience, create a common language among university stakeholders, and increase knowledge sharing regarding the SDGs.

The Department of Radio, Television and Cinema delivered a presentation on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Ataköy Building of the Bakırköy Campus, as part of a university promotional event organized for 12th-grade students studying at Kültür College and Kültür2000.

With the participation of the Head of the Department, Assoc. Prof. Perihan Taş Öz, the event provided prospective university students with information about the educational structure of the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema, course content, and post-graduation career opportunities. The presentation enabled students to establish direct communication with the department they are interested in and to become more closely acquainted with the university.

At the event organized by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MOBIGEN) on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Dr. Bilgin Candar Çakır participated as a speaker. In his presentation titled “MicroRNAs: Molecular Architects Shaping the Future of Plant Biotechnology,” Dr. Bilgin Candar Çakır shared detailed information on the role of microRNAs, particularly in tomatoes, in regulating gene expression in plants, molecular responses to environmental factors, especially drought stress, and the future of MicroRNA-based approaches in plant biotechnology. The event, held with the participation of undergraduate and graduate students, concluded following a question-and-answer session.

As part of their "Forensic Psychology" course, our 3rd and 4th-year students from the Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling visited the Child Protection Center (Çocuk İzlem Merkezi) at the T.R. Ministry of Health Istanbul Bakırköy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases.

During the visit on Thursday, January 8, 2026, our students gained valuable insights into the center's operations from Forensic Interviewer and Forensic Science Specialist Dr. Hacer Eşref Atik Tosunlar, who also serves as a Specialist Psychiatric Nurse.

As part of the “IIBF Talks: Academic Seminar Series” organized by the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences (IIBF), Dr. Anıl Küçükgöde from Istanbul Galata University was hosted as a guest speaker. The seminar took place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, between 12:00–13:00 at the Küçükçekmece Campus, Seminar Hall B502.

Dr. Küçükgöde delivered a presentation titled “ESG as a Financial Buffer in Debt Pricing and Firm Valuation: A Global Panel Data Study,” discussing the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices on borrowing costs and firm valuation through the lens of global panel data analysis.

At the event organized by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MOBIGEN) on Friday, January 9, 2026, postdoctoral researcher Dr. Sevim Döndü Kara Öztürk from Çukurova University participated as a speaker. In her presentation titled “Plant Genome Organization: Repetitive DNA Elements and Centromere Biology,” our guest speaker provided detailed information on the molecular foundations of genome organization, the biological significance of repetitive DNA sequences, and the critical role of centromere structure in plant genetics and breeding studies. Held with the participation of undergraduate and graduate students, the event concluded following a question-and-answer session.

Res. Assist. Seren Çelik, a faculty member of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, delivered a comprehensive presentation on “Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency” at a seminar hosted by the Bakırköy Municipality. Organized with the aim of increasing environmental awareness and promoting the sustainable management of energy resources, the event proved highly productive in terms of providing participants with technical knowledge and raising awareness.

The Program of Opticianry of Istanbul Kültür University Vocational School signed a cooperation protocol with Veni Vidi Eye Hospital on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with the aim of strengthening education-industry collaboration.

Within the scope of the protocol, the professional development of our students will be supported, and the reinforcement of theoretical knowledge through practical applications will be ensured.

The Istanbul Kültür University Alumni and Members Association (İKÜMED) and the Kültür College Alumni Association (KÜMED) jointly organized an "Alumni Breakfast" event on Sunday, January 11. The gathering, which reaffirmed the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and sharing among the Kültür family, took place in a pleasant atmosphere with the participation of graduates from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Kültür College.