7th Civil Aviation Summit was held at Istanbul Commerce University
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The 7th Civil Aviation Summit, organized by Istanbul Commerce University Civil Aviation Society, brought together the leading names of the sector and students to discuss career and development opportunities in different fields of aviation.
The Civil Aviation Society of our university organized the 7th Civil Aviation Summit this year on December 7, World Civil Aviation Day. The event held at the Conference Hall of Sütlüce Campus was attended by our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hanifi Parlar, Korean Airlines Turkey General Manager Erdal Yazıcı, Turkish Airlines Human Resources Domestic Vice President İbrahim Hünkar Han Çelikhatipoğlu, Emirates Airlines Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria Country Manager Mehmet Gürkaynak, Turkish Airlines captain pilots, controllers from the aviation industry, ground handling employees, cargo industry representatives, academicians, aviation management students of our university as well as students from other universities and aviation high schools.
TURKEY’S 20-YEAR DEVELOPMENT IN THE AVIATION SECTOR WAS HIGHLIGHTED
In his opening speech, Dr. Lec. Tuncel Öz, Head of the Department of Aviation Management, emphasized the importance of well-equipped and qualified human resources, drawing attention to the great developments Turkey has experienced in the aviation sector in the last 20 years. Dr. Öz also celebrated World Civil Aviation Day and stated that cooperation and events in the sector will continue.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN TURKISH AIRLINES
In Flag Carrier Airline: Turkish Airlines panel, İbrahim Hünkar Han Çelikhatipoğlu, Domestic Vice President of Human Resources at THY, made a presentation. Çelikhatipoğlu gave information about career opportunities for students and the company’s human resources policies, and drew attention to the job and internship opportunities that THY offers to new graduates and students through its “Takeoff” programs.
EMIRATES EMPHASISED THE INNOVATIONS IN THE SECTOR
In Flag Carrier Airline: Turkish Airlines panel, Emirates panel was attended by Mehmet Gürkaynak. Gürkaynak emphasized the importance Emirates attaches to passenger experience and its position in the industry and advised the students to be open to knowledge and innovations in the aviation industry.
INTEREST IN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLING IS INCREASING
Turkish Air Traffic Controllers Association (TATCA) President Doğan Yiğit and Air Traffic Controller Süreyya Arda Ekim shared the details of air traffic with the participants at the Air Traffic panel moderated by Lecturer Ayçe Bürüngüz. During the panel, the requirements, training process and working conditions of the air traffic controller profession were discussed in detail. Emphasizing that Turkey’s aviation sector is growing rapidly, Yiğit said that the need for controllers will increase even more in the coming years. Ekim emphasized the international job opportunities in the sector and highlighted the importance of students learning a second foreign language and developing themselves in different fields.
CAREER TIPS ON THE PILOT PANEL
Pilots who graduated from our university also participated in the pilot panel. Turkish Airlines Captain Pilots Gökhan Özkamer and Taha Sabri Savaş and ERAH Flight School Commercial Manager Yusuf Çalış gave information to the students about the pilot career. Çalış drew attention to the increasing need for pilots in the aviation sector and emphasized that students should continue their education seriously. Özkamer and Savaş stated that the profession of piloting is dynamic and requires keeping oneself up-to-date, and shared both the difficulties and advantages of the profession.
CAREER IN GROUND SERVICES
In the Ground Services panel, Sabiha Gökçen Airport ground operations Çelebi’s Station Manager Cenk Acar and Deputy Station Manager Gözde Şayır and Istanbul Airport ground operations Havaş’s Station Manager Orçun Yağmur Çavuşoğlu shared their views. During the panel, the importance of English knowledge, communication skills and adaptability for candidates who want to pursue a career in this field was emphasized. Additionally, employment opportunities such as long-term internship programs and MT (Management Trainee) programs for new graduates were also introduced.
CARGO PANEL DISCUSSED THE DYNAMICS OF THE SECTOR
The cargo panel brought together important representatives from the sector. Mir Global Logistics General Manager Ertan Aslanoğlu, Prime Kargo Manager Zafer Yeleri, World Cargo Solutions Senior Cargo Operations Manager Murat Tarık Gurulkan and FedEx Ramps and Gateways Manager Barış Erdoğan shared their experiences in the sector with the students. Also, increasing business opportunities in the globalization process of the sector and Turkey’s role in the cargo sector were evaluated in terms of future business potential. Participants were presented with plaques at the event. The event was completed with a photo shoot.
