Istanbul, December 28, 2025 — The Europe Today: The International Student Summit ISTSUM’25 was held on Saturday in Istanbul, bringing together experts and students to discuss the impact of digital transformation on individuals, society, and the modern workplace.
Hosted by the Bab-i Alem International Student Association at the Neslisah Sultan Cultural Center, the summit was organized under the theme “Focus,” with Anadolu serving as the global communications partner.
Speaking at the event, Bab-i Alem International Student Association President Ercan Akcan highlighted Türkiye’s growing role as a global education hub, noting that the country currently hosts around 350,000 international students.
“Türkiye has become not only an educational center but also a safe haven,” Akcan said. “For us, these figures are not merely statistics. Each student is an honorary ambassador of Türkiye in the world of tomorrow and a guarantee of peace and brotherhood.”
Addressing participants, Burcu Kosem, head of the Turkish Red Crescent Istanbul branch, encouraged students to pursue education aligned with their personal interests rather than external expectations. She emphasized the importance of self-awareness and meaningful engagement in shaping successful academic and professional journeys.
Prof. Sefik Suayb Arslan, director of the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Bogazici University, underlined the concept of lifelong learning, stressing that the learning process continues throughout one’s life, particularly in an era of rapid technological change.
ISTSUM General Coordinator Yasir Alkan explained the central message behind the summit’s theme, noting that many people remain preoccupied with past regrets or future anxieties. “Are you in academia? Focus on your work. Are you in the business world? Focus,” he said, elaborating on the event’s guiding motto.
The summit was supported by the Federation of International Student Associations (UDEF), Fatih Municipality, and Turkish Airlines, and was organized with the backing of the Turkish National Agency and the European Union.
