1,384 students graduated from Medipol's School of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture

The B4 Garden of the Kavacık South Campus welcomed hundreds of graduates preparing to embark on professional careers in art, design, and architecture. During the 2026 Graduation Ceremony of the School of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture at Istanbul Medipol University, 1,384 students received their diplomas to the applause of their families and instructors in a ceremony held in two separate sessions. The event was attended by Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk, President of Istanbul Medipol University; Prof. Yasemin Yüksel Durmaz, Vice President; Prof. Hüseyin Attila Dikbaş, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture; as well as academic staff, administrative personnel, students, and their families. 
 

Graduates from the following programs received their diplomas during the ceremony: Industrial Design, Interior Architecture and Environmental Design (Turkish Program), Interior Architecture and Environmental Design (English Program), Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, Turkish Music Major Art Program, Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Visual Communication Design, Architecture (Turkish Program) and Architecture (English Program). 
 

PROF. GÜNTÜRK: ART AND ARCHITECTURE ARE FORCES THAT TRANSFORM LIFE
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk, President of Istanbul Medipol University, stated that the University has continued its steady growth and development since its establishment. He emphasized that Istanbul Medipol University regards education, research, quality, and social contribution as complementary pillars of a university.

Noting that the School prepares its students for the future through its interdisciplinary structure spanning architecture, industrial design, gastronomy, and music, Güntürk stated that the accreditation of the Architecture Program by MİAK and the Industrial Design Department by ENTAK reflects the University's commitment to quality-oriented education.

Highlighting that students of the School have produced 437 designs and submitted 111 patent and utility model applications, Güntürk said:

"Art and architecture are not merely fields of aesthetic production. They are disciplines that improve quality of life, transform cities, enrich culture, and integrate technology with human-centered solutions. I believe our graduates will become individuals who shape the future."

PROF. DURMAZ: EVERY DESIGN SHOULD PLACE HUMAN BEINGS AT ITS CENTER
Prof. Yasemin Yüksel Durmaz, Vice President of Istanbul Medipol University, stated that the School equips its graduates with strong competencies through its interdisciplinary and practice-oriented educational model.

Emphasizing that design and architecture extend far beyond aesthetic concerns, Durmaz addressed the graduates:

"In every space you design and every work you create, place people and the future at the center of your vision. Never lose your conscience, your aesthetic sensitivity, or your ethical principles. Use technology as a powerful tool, but never allow it to overshadow your professional judgment or artistic intuition."
 

PROF. DİKBAŞ: WE EDUCATE CREATIVE AND COURAGEOUS INDIVIDUALS
Prof. Hüseyin Attila Dikbaş, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, stated that the School was founded in 2015 with a vision centered on interdisciplinary interaction, production-oriented education, and a contemporary approach to art and architecture.

Expressing his satisfaction at celebrating the School's seventh graduating class, Dikbaş noted that the School has grown into a community of nearly 4,000 students across seven departments and nine academic programs.

Addressing the graduates, he said:

"The complex challenges of today's world cannot be solved by a single discipline. As individuals equipped with creative thinking, critical perspectives, and courage, you will make a meaningful difference in the fields of art and architecture."

Dikbaş added that the graduates would transform living environments by combining aesthetic sensitivity with functionality.

"This School has provided you not only with technical knowledge but also with aesthetic intuition, critical thinking, and a strong ethical foundation."
 

ŞENGEL: WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE SAFE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS
Speaking on behalf of the first group of graduates, Erva Su Şengel, valedictorian of the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Turkish Program, stated that throughout their education they had gained not only technical knowledge but also the ability to think critically, create, and uphold professional ethics.

Referring to the February 6 earthquakes and the Kartalkaya hotel fire, Şengel said these tragedies had demonstrated the direct relationship between design and human life.

"We are not responsible only for designing beautiful spaces; we are responsible for creating living environments where people can live safely and find peace."
 

YILMAZ: TRUE SUCCESS DERIVES ITS MEANING FROM VALUES
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Elif Yılmaz, valedictorian of the Architecture Turkish Program, emphasized that people must always remain at the center of design. She stated that graduates should continue producing solutions that are ethical, sustainable, and beneficial to society.

After thanking her instructors, family, and friends, Yılmaz said:

"True success is measured not only by the works we create, but also by the values through which we create them."
 

PROGRAM VALEDICTORIANS RECEIVED THEIR AWARDS
Students who graduated at the top of their respective programs were presented with commemorative plaques. Ayşe Firuz Erverdi, valedictorian of the Industrial Design Department; Erva Su Şengel, valedictorian of the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Turkish Program; Buse Gökçin, valedictorian of the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design English Program; Ceyda Aksoylu, valedictorian of the Urban Design and Landscape Architecture Department; Elif Hoşgör, valedictorian of the Turkish Music Major Art Program; Uğur Özgür Aydemir, valedictorian of the Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department; Havva Şule Olgun, valedictorian of the Visual Communication Design Department; Elif Yılmaz, valedictorian of the Architecture Turkish Program; and Elif Sipahi, valedictorian of the Architecture English Program were recognized for their academic achievements.

The plaques were presented by Prof. Bahadır Kürşat Güntürk, President of Istanbul Medipol University; Prof. Yasemin Yüksel Durmaz, Vice President; Prof. Hüseyin Attila Dikbaş, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture; and the respective department chairs.