ITU Maritime Faculty celebrated its 142nd Traditional Fish Day, honoring alumni and inaugurating a new simulator center on October 10, 2026.
The 142nd Traditional Fish Day, organized by Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Maritime Faculty and the ITU Maritime Faculty Alumni Association (ITUDEFAMED), was held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the ITU Tuzla Campus.
The event, attended by leading representatives of the maritime sector, academics, alumni, and students, highlighted the deep-rooted history of Turkish maritime education and the solidarity among graduates.
Prominent figures from the maritime sector participated.
Hosted by ITU Maritime Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Özcan Arslan and ITUDEFAMED Board President Capt. Çağlar Coşkunsu, the gathering was attended by former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey İsmet Yılmaz, AK Party Trabzon Deputy Vehbi Koç, Tuzla District Governor Ümit Hüseyin Güney, Tuzla Mayor Eren Ali Bingöl, and ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal.
Also present at the ceremony were Tamer Kıran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping, Recep Düzgit, Vice Chairman of the Board, Capt. Koray Karagöz, Chairman of the Board of the ITU Maritime Faculty Alumni Social Assistance Foundation (DEFAV), and numerous representatives from the maritime sector.
Graduates with 40, 50, and 60 years in the profession were honored.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, followed by speeches. Service commemorative medals and certificates were presented to the seafarers who completed their 40th, 50th, and 60th anniversaries of graduation.
As part of the Traditional Fish Day, graduates from different generations came together to share their memories related to their professional lives.
The opening of a new simulator center was held.
As part of the event, a new investment aimed at enhancing the educational infrastructure of the ITU Maritime Faculty was inaugurated.
The opening of the Wärtsilä Bridge, Tugboat, and Tanker Simulator Center, constructed by Beşiktaş Maritime, was realized.
With the new simulator center, practical training opportunities for students in ship maneuvering and management, tugboat operations, and tanker maneuvers were expanded.
Prof. Dr. Özcan Arslan discussed developments at the faculty.
In his speech at the ceremony, ITU Maritime Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Özcan Arslan stated that the Traditional Fish Day is a continuation of the maritime tradition that dates back to 1909.
Recalling that he began his deanship approximately five years ago, Arslan expressed that significant infrastructure investments have been made at the faculty with the support of alumni and the sector during this time.
Arslan noted that the Traditional Fish Day gatherings provide alumni with the opportunity to see the changes and developments at the faculty firsthand.
The maritime tradition is being passed on to new generations.
The event, which commemorated the 142-year history of Turkish maritime education, brought together seafarers who graduated in different periods with students who are still continuing their education under the same roof.
The Traditional Fish Day concluded with the honoring of individuals who contributed to the development of maritime education and the introduction of new educational investments.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
