07/08/2025
A 25-Year Journey with Gülseren Caşın
Gülseren Caşın, who has worked in many different units at our university since its establishment, experiencing every aspect of the campus, shared with us her passion, memories, and feelings for her profession and the institution she works for.
Can you briefly introduce yourself? How many years have you been at Sabancı University, and can you tell us about your work?
I have been working at Sabancı University for 25 years. During this time, I have held various positions in our university's Publishing House, Institutional Development, Communications and Public Relations, Business Development, Institutional Partnerships and Alumni Relations departments. Currently, as a Certified Programs Leader, I organize High School Summer Schools for high school students and various educational programs for primary, secondary, and high school students during summer and winter school periods at the Ayvalık Creative Technologies Atelier. Sabancı University has given me a horizon that involves loving young students, producing new projects for them, and implementing them with the vision and mission of the late Sakıp Sabancı, “Creating and Developing Together.”
As an employee of Sabancı University, how would you describe the difference of working at this institution?
I believe working at Sabancı University is a privilege. This is a vast home of knowledge and a family. I have always been proud and honored to work at Sabancı University, and I will continue to be so.
During your time at Sabancı University, is there any interesting memory or detail you would like to share about our university?
Every summer, we had the opportunity to provide high school students from various schools in Turkey and around the world with two-week university courses prepared by Sabancı University's distinguished faculty members, giving them the university experience and the opportunity to share the friendships and joys they build. The tears of longing as these wonderful and brilliant young people left campus, filled with joy and the academic knowledge that will contribute greatly to their future lives, have always moved me deeply with unforgettable memories and stories.
To date, more than 15,000 students have participated in High School Summer Schools. The fact that some of these students later became Sabancı University students, and that the annual proceeds from the High School Summer Schools are transferred to the Sabancı Scholarship Fund to contribute to our students' educational lives, has been a source of inspiration and motivation for my work.
But perhaps most importantly, the assistant students we work with each year at the High School Summer Schools keep me informed about their successful careers around the world after graduation, which is another great source of happiness for me at Sabancı University
As you know, our University is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. May we have your 25th anniversary message?
Happy 25th Anniversary! I am so grateful that the Sabancı Family founded Sabancı University and has contributed to the youth of the world.
How would you describe the progress Sabancı University has made in 25 years, based on your observations and learnings?
Having been with Sabancı University since its founding, it's been a wonderful feeling to see it born, grow, develop, and achieve success.
What are your dreams and predictions for our University's next 25 years?
To see Sabancı University rank among the world's top ten reputable universities and become the first Turkish university to win a Nobel Prize. My children didn't graduate from Sabancı University, but they were raised on the Sabancı University campus, surrounded by the culture of the Sabancı University family. My dream is for my little granddaughter, Mina, to study at Sabancı University and to watch and applaud her graduation from the steps of the Amphitheatre with our family.
