Theme: Embrace the Fire Within

With TEDx's mission of “Ideas worth sharing”, TEDxYildizTechnicalUniversity team has set the theme of this year's event as “Embrace the Fire Within”.With this theme, we aim to explore the power of this symbol by focusing on overcoming difficulties and self-discovery. Each of us carries a fire within us that guides our lives. Our passions, goals and inner strengths bring color to our lives and carry us forward. “Embrace the Fire Within” is a theme that emphasizes how discovering and embracing this inner flame can give meaning to our lives, and how we are as likely to succeed as we are to take risks by pursuing our passions.

YTU DAVUTPASA CULTURE AND CONVENTION CENTER
Cifte Havuzlar, Esenler/Istanbul
Istanbul, İstanbul, 34220
Turkey

Berk Kır

Artist, Photographer

Berk Kır, born in 1997, is a versatile professional with a background in art history and cultural heritage conservation. He's also an accomplished photographer. His work delves into themes like urban experiences, human-body relationships, and cultural heritage. Notable for his brand ambassadorship with Samsung Turkey, Kır has received recognition such as the "Young Talent of the Year" award from the Association of Photography Organizations. His photography has been exhibited internationally, showcasing his unique perspective. Currently, he serves as the photo editor at Unlimited Publications and is a member of Leica Turkey Club.

Canan Leslie Anderson

Violinist

Born in Vicenza, Italy, Canan Anderson completed her violin education at Istanbul Municipal Conservatory and Mimar Sinan University Istanbul State Conservatory. Anderson, who gave her first concert at the age of 6 at the Austrian Cultural Center, worked at the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet after her conservatory education. In 1993, she moved to Salzburg and took high-level violin technique lessons from Salzburg Mozarteum University teachers. Afterwards, she worked as the principal violinist in the musical "Die Kugeln des Sultans" in Aalen, Germany and shared the same stage with famous artists such as Sarah Brightman, Barry White, Jethro Tull - Ian Anderson, Claude Challe on the Italian tour with the Mozarteum Orchestra. In 2024, Anderson released Barış Manço's "Kara Sevda" and continues to give concerts in many countries such as Turkey, Belgium, France, Romania, India, Dubai, Italy, Hungary, Germany and Austria.

Ece Ulugtekin

Business Person

Ece Uluğtekin was born in 1981 in Izmir. After graduating in 2005 from Kocaeli University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, she successfully completed her MBA, a graduate program that develops students' global management skills, at Bahçeşehir University in 2018. She started his professional life by working in the field of Sales Engineering in the same year she graduated from the university. She started working as HVAC Marmara Region and Energy Systems West Anatolia Sales Manager at Arçelik in 2014. She continued to work as a sales engineer in various technology companies between 2005-2014. Then, she started to serve as the Chairman of the SDDK (Refrigerant Variable Flow Air Conditioners) Commission in İSKİD (Air Conditioning Refrigeration Air Conditioning Manufacturers Association) and was elected as a Member of İSKİD Board of Directors as of 2024. Currently, she is also mentoring female engineering students in TMK (Turkey's Engineer Women) Project.

Emir Rıfat Isık

Artist, Endustrial Designer

Emir Rıfat Işık, born in 1987, has been passionate about design since childhood. He graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Industrial Design in 2010. His career took off with a conceptual design award in technology, showcased in Milan and later studied at Cambridge University. Collaborating with numerous companies globally, he garnered recognition for innovation and design. Integrating art and design, he centers creation around human experience, blending material and spiritual realms. His works, blending calligraphy, figures, and subtexts, reflect a traditional yet original approach. As a design manager, he bridges past and future, leaving a contemporary mark on our inner and outer worlds.

Emre Erdemoglu

Designer

Emre Erdemoglu graduated from Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Fashion Design. In the same year, he founded the brand "Emre Erdemoglu". In 2010, Emre Erdemoglu, who realized his 5th fashion show in Italy, was awarded the "MOST CREATIVE COLLECTION" award with his latest collection. The successful designer attracted the attention of Vogue Italy and met with 'Turkish Leather Brand' in a joint project. Erdemoglu realized a special fashion shoot for Vogue Italy and launched his collection with a special invitation in Florence, Italy in January 2014. The designer, who made an outstanding debut in his fashion career by presenting his collections prepared between 2015-2024 at the 'Berlin Fashion Week', was awarded the 'Designer of the Year' award at the Italy-Med Fashion organization in the same year.

Kadriye Inal

Sculptor

Kadriye Inal (b.1980, Izmir) completed her primary, secondary and high school education in Izmir, the city where she was born. In 2003, she completed her Bachelor's degree at Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Fine Arts and in 2006 she completed her Master's degree at the Sculpture Department of the same university. Inal started her PhD program in Art and Design at Dokuz Eylül University, Institute of Fine Arts in 2013. She opened his first solo exhibition in Izmir in 2005, and afterwards he opened a total of 5 solo exhibitions in Izmir, Ankara and Istanbul and took part in more than one group exhibition. Since 2019, she continues her works in her studio in Istanbul.

Nurper Ozbar

Sports Referee

Nurper Özbar is a distinguished figure in both academia and sports officiating. Graduating as the valedictorian from Marmara University in 1999, she later became the Head of the Department of Coaching Education at Düzce University. Özbar began her volleyball refereeing career in 1996-1997, achieving international recognition with the FIVB kokart in 2012. She officiated in prestigious events like the FIVB World Grand Prix and VNL competitions, as well as the Women's Club World Championships. Notably, she participated in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris as an invited official by the FIVB.

Umut Kurt

Actor

Umut Kurt, born in 1981, began his acting journey in amateur theaters in 1997. After training at Istanbul Müjdat Gezen Art Center, he debuted on screen in 2003. Known for his baglama playing and folk singing, he gained recognition alongside his acting career. His notable roles include "Organize İşler" (2005), "Hatırla Sevgili" (2006-2008), and "Payitaht 'Abdülhamid'" (2017). Kurt received the Promising Actor Award at the Adana Film Festival in 2010 for his role in "Kavşak."