22/08/2025
25 Years of Strong Motivation and Dynamism
Vildan Yalçıner shared with us the progress our university has made in her 25-year career as the Information Technologies Software Manager, her future expectations, and her feelings.
Can you briefly introduce yourself? How long have you been at Sabancı University? Could you tell us about your work?
I have been working in the IT department at Sabancı University since December 2000. Previously, I worked as a specialist in the Computer Engineering Department and the IT department at Kocaeli University. I am a graduate of Electrical Engineering at Yıldız University and began my career in the IT sector immediately after graduation. I first started working as a specialist in the Information Technologies department, then assumed the role of team leader and continued as a Software Manager in 2016.
During this period, I have been involved in projects to digitize administrative processes in various units of our university and continue to contribute to these projects with my team.
How would you describe the uniqueness of working at Sabancı University as an employee?
Information technologies is a constantly evolving career field with a high learning curve. Therefore, it's essential to stay fresh and constantly learn. Working in an IT department at a university adds a unique dynamism. You have to constantly innovate and focus on the future. When evaluated against market conditions, the user base at a university is a force that constantly pushes us forward and pushes us to improve. I believe what I've shared so far better illustrates the reasons for working at an institution for 25 years.
As you know, our university is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Could we get your 25th-anniversary message?
I am proud and happy to celebrate Sabancı University's 25th anniversary. It is a great honor for me to witness and contribute to our university's development throughout this long journey. Working in the Information Technologies department, where I have been working since 2000, at an institution that grows and develops with each passing day, has provided me with continuous innovation and learning opportunities.
For 25 years, Sabancı University has maintained its leading role in the sector not only with its academic achievements but also with its technology, innovation, and student-focused approach. Working alongside the entire academic and administrative staff, who inspire us throughout this journey and always have a forward-looking vision, has been invaluable, both professionally and personally.
I thank everyone involved and wish our university many more successful years. I am proud to be a part of Sabancı University and will continue to contribute to its future successes. Here's to many more 25 years!
How would you describe the progress Sabancı University has made in 25 years, based on what you've observed and learned?
The most significant development at Sabancı University over its 25 years has been demonstrating how excellence in education and management can be combined by focusing on continuous innovation and digital transformation. This is a great source of inspiration not only for a university but also for individuals working in the technology world.
What are your dreams and predictions for our university for the next 25 years?
Among my predictions and dreams is that Sabancı University will be an institution developing pioneering projects in the field of artificial intelligence technologies. Integrating these technologies into education, research, and administrative processes will make our university even more competitive globally. The use of such technologies will be vital, particularly in providing personalized educational experiences for students and faculty, and in making educational processes more flexible and interactive.
Furthermore, thanks to cloud technologies and collaboration platforms, we will evolve into a structure where we can establish more effective collaborations with students and academics off-campus. Hybrid education models and online platforms, which will enable high-quality education and research beyond physical classrooms, will become more widespread.
I also believe that in the future, greater focus should be placed on cybersecurity and data privacy. With the rapid increase in technological advancements, having a strong security infrastructure in these areas, both nationally and internationally, will protect our university's reputation and academic endeavors. In this new era, our university will further increase efficiency by increasing digitalization and automation in both academic and administrative processes, which will form the foundation of our future success. Furthermore, we will take further steps in areas such as civic involvement projects and environmentally friendly technologies, reinforcing Sabancı University's vision of contributing to society.
I believe that in the next 25 years, we will be able to create a stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable university vision by utilizing all the opportunities offered by technology in the most efficient way.
