Leadership Transition at DEFMED: Burak Gültekin Succeeds Bülent İbik

Bülent İbik hands over DEFMED presidency to Burak Gültekin at the General Assembly held on October 31, 2026, in İzmir.

The General Assembly of the Dokuz Eylul University Maritime Faculty Alumni Association (DEFMED) was held on October 31, 2026, at the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping İzmir Branch. During the assembly, Bülent İbik handed over the presidency to Burak Gültekin.

In the assembly, which included DEFMED's 2nd Term President Kenan Yalavaç, TKKD Board Chairman Ali Önemli, and Dokuz Eylul University Maritime Faculty Vice Dean Murat Pamık, Bülent İbik, who was stepping down from the presidency, shared evaluations of the association's activities along with past presidents Orçun Erbayraktar, Kenan Yalavaç, and Osman Bilgin, as well as İMEAK Chamber of Shipping İzmir Branch President Yusuf Öztürk, who conveyed their best wishes for the new administration and expressed their hopes for the upcoming term.

The activity report for the 2023–2026 term was presented by Özgür Alemdağ, while the financial statements and audit reports were shared with the members by Samsa Emin Körüklü.

Over 300 Events in Three Years

DEFMED participated in more than 300 events during the 2023–2026 term, including traditional organizations, fairs, corporate and sectoral visits, receptions, faculty events, and sectoral invitations. Efforts conducted in various cities, primarily İzmir, Istanbul, and Ankara, contributed to strengthening the ties between schools, students, alumni, public and private sectors.

In line with the principles of solidarity and cooperation, the Traditional Educational Support Scholarship Program provided scholarship support to 104 students in the 2023–2024 academic year and a total of 50 students, including 14 merit scholarships, in the 2024–2025 academic year. Contributions were made to faculty events and student community activities, while financial and moral support for needy students and alumni continued.

Towards the Future with Institutional Memory and Sustainability

Transferring the accumulated knowledge and experience since the establishment of the association to new management terms is among the primary priorities of the new term. It is aimed to preserve institutional memory, ensure the continuity of traditional organizations, and sustain support programs to carry the association's deep-rooted culture to future generations.

The new term under the presidency of Burak Gültekin will be guided by the motto, 'Drawing strength from our roots, we move forward together with confident steps into the future.' Efforts will continue to enhance solidarity among members and develop cooperation between the faculty and the sector.

During the general assembly, thanks were extended to Bülent İbik and the term management board for their dedicated work and valuable contributions; to all presidents, boards of directors, members, and supporters who have served since the establishment of the association. Best wishes were conveyed to Burak Gültekin and the new management board.

2026–2029 Management and Audit Boards and Committee Representatives

Board of Directors Regular Members: Burak Gültekin, Aylin Kurtulan, Cihan Köse, Cumhur Turgut, Fadime Ünen, Gülgün Dede, Mehmet Melih Cen, Melike Aysu Gürgan, Neslihan Özer, Samsa Emin Körüklü, and Ulaş Emiroğlu.

Board of Directors Alternate Members: Emre Can Atak, Erdem Kan, Gencay Kuru, Gökhan Güngör, İbrahim Toktaş, Mehmet Arda Tuncalı, Müge Büber, Onur Topal, Sevim Eser, Soner Esmer, and Şahin Aktan.

Audit Board Regular Members: Hakkı Deniz, İbrahim Erkan Gökerkan, and Ufuk Yıldırım.

Audit Board Alternate Members: Ahmet Özgür Alemdağ, Ali Önemli, and Devrim Fırat.

Working Committees Representatives: Burçak Er Aydinç, Cenkay Tamer, Nergis Özispa, Önder Güven, Peyruze Ersoy, Ruken İpek, Ülkem Gürdeniz, and Vasfi Erdoğan.

New Term at DEFMED: Bülent İBİK handed over the presidency to Burak Gültekin.

The General Assembly of DEFMED was held on October 31, 2026, at the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping İzmir Branch.

November 3, 2026 11:29

: November 3, 2026 11:29

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