Entrepreneurship meeting at Izmir Economy

40 students who took the Entrepreneurship course within the Vocational School of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) presented their projects to the jury, which included the Co-Founders of Need Map Dr. Ali Ercan Özgür and the famous artist Mert Fırat, as well as the Vice Chairman of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce Emre Kızılgüneşler, after months of work. Meeting with experienced names who have many examples of entrepreneurship and social projects, the young people from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) asked their questions and listened to ideas that would shed light on their career goals. Throughout the semester, students who meticulously prepared for the project presentation event held in the IUE Conference Hall enthusiastically presented the 11 projects they realized by working in groups. Guided by IUE Instructor Dr. Övgü Pınar, young people working on different areas such as technology, art, commerce, and tourism stood out with innovative and original ideas. The jury, consisting of Vocational School Director Emre Küheylan and Deputy Director Edit Habif, evaluated each project meticulously and shared their recommendations with the young participants.
Founded in 2015 with a social cooperative identity that brings together individuals, institutions, and organizations willing to support those in need, the Need Map’s Co-Founders Mert Fırat and Dr. Ali Ercan Özgür shared the story behind this idea with the young participants. Reminding that Need Map is a non-profit social organization with many non-governmental organizations and tens of thousands of volunteers, Özgür and Fırat advised the youth on the importance of being involved in social projects by recalling their university memories.
Emre Kızılgüneşler, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) and a Member of IUE Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of both digitalization and analog socialization, stating, ‘My father had a saying that I really liked. He used to tell me, ‘The only thing in life that money can’t buy is experience.’ Always value experience. In the era we live in, two things that have become increasingly important are networking and data. Accessing information, in other words data, used to be difficult in the past. We would read encyclopedias and strive to access information. You are luckier in this sense. Yes, there is rapid digitalization in the world. This situation has also started to change the criteria of socialization. However, what I ask of you is to never give up on analog socialization. Get involved in formations like Need Map, value social projects and one-on-one interaction. Try to build good relationships with everyone and never isolate yourself.’