'Success' formula of the masters

Former CEO of Turkcell and investor Süreyya Ciliv, who held senior positions in high technology companies, met with students at the "Students Consulting Experts" event organized by Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Vocational School. Ciliv, who shared his knowledge and experience with the young people, answered the questions of students together with Mahmut Özgener, President of IUE Board of Trustees, at the 'free lectern' session. Özgener and Ciliv stated that self-confidence, courage, maintaining the excitement of learning throughout life and working hard are the formula for success.

The panel, which took place at IUE Conference Hall and lasted for approximately 2.5 hours, was held face-to-face with the participation of 40 students studying in the Vocational School Computer Programming and Graphic Design Programs, following the social distance rules. Süreyya Ciliv, who spoke at the panel titled 'Girişimcilik Her Yerde, Yeni Dünyada Kazanmak (Entrepreneurship is Everywhere, Winning in the New World)', gave important messages to the youth. Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar, IUE Rector, Emre Kızılgüneşler, Member of the Board of Trustees, Kaya Arslan, Secretary General, and Burçin Önder, Director of Vocational School, also attended the event.

COOPERATION WITH VOCATIONAL SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE

At the end of the panel, Ciliv was presented with a plaque for his participation in the program and "Kervan Bridge", the first book of IUE Press. Süreyya Ciliv, the founder of Kuika, one of Turkey's leading software development platforms, said that they had made many cooperation with IUE Vocational School before, and that they provided employment and internship opportunities to students after the 'Kuika Software and Design Camp'. Ciliv stated that this cooperation may increase further in the coming period and expressed that they are ready to contribute to the development of students.  

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE ANY JOB

Süreyya Ciliv, who often gives advice to students, said that university education is an important opportunity for young people, but the learning process will not be completed with the end of school. Ciliv said, “There may be difficulties in your life. You may not feel so rich, so powerful, you may feel lonely. I have also felt pessimistic from time to time. But I have never been too long in the dark. First, trust yourself, do not be afraid of difficulties. See difficulties as an opportunity to teach you problem solving. Whatever job you do, own it first. Do not underestimate any job, you will be successful in your first job so that you can be successful in other jobs as well. Try to have deep knowledge of the subject you love and focus on.”

THE MOST IMPORTANT TEAM SPORTS IS THE BUSINESS WORLD

Ciliv continued as follows: “Everyone is interested in football and basketball, but I think the most important team sports is the business world. In business, nothing happens without teamwork. I have always preferred employees over people who say, "I am smart", and I was right. Being hardworking and curious is much more important than being smart. Do not try to be the smartest, focus on continuous learning and knowledge. You, as young people from Izmir, can be more successful than me. Do not underestimate yourself. Your potential is much more than you can imagine. It is necessary to read the future well and prepare for it. This is one of the most important factors in my success. Being a team leader is very important in the business world. For this, it is necessary to be a reliable and respected person. Team leadership means pushing the team in the right direction. Act with this thought and with an entrepreneurial understanding. Do not forget to be optimistic and to keep your energy high.”

I AM MORE EXCITED THAN THE YOUNG PEOPLE

Answering the questions of the students after the panel, President of IUE Board of Trustees, Mahmut Özgener said, “So far, I have held many important positions and gained experience. But I never lost my enthusiasm and passion for learning. It is necessary to never see the reached point as the last point, and to continue new searches. We must work, we must ask for better. Otherwise, a person will start to get sluggish over time. The excitement of creating a new success story is always different. Whoever feels that enthusiasm will also be successful. The greatest happiness and excitement for me is to be able to contribute to young people and to be able to develop projects that will pave their way. As I feel and think about it, I am still more excited than the young people. My biggest motivation comes from these thoughts.”

WE ESTABLISHED A STRUCTURE THAT WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR IZMIR

Özgener, who also gave information about the IZQ Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center project, which was created under the leadership of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, said, “When we took office at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce in 2018, we worked thoroughly as a team on which areas Izmir could stand out in the future. As a result of this, we implemented our project that will make Izmir one of the important centers of Turkey. In the innovation center part, we wanted to attract the important companies of our country; in the entrepreneurship center part, we wanted to cooperate by bringing an important player of the ecosystem. We have been successful in these as well. We have established the structure that will pave the way for our city and our youth. We thought that this project should be Izmir's project, not just ours, and we achieved this. Izmir Governorship, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Aegean Region Chamber of Industry, Izmir Commodity Exchange, Aegean Exporters' Associations, Aegean Industrialists and Businessmen Association, Aegean Young Businessmen Association were also among the partners of the project. It was an excellent formation. When investors come to Izmir, they will no longer see only Izmir Chamber of Commerce, but the whole city.”