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The International Student Summit ISTSUM’25 is set to take place in Istanbul on Saturday, Dec. 27, bringing together students, academics and private sector representatives to look into how digital transformation is reshaping society and working life. Organized under the theme “Focus,” the summit is positioned as an international meeting point for young people seeking to engage with the social and professional impact of rapid technological change.
According to the organizers, the summit will be hosted by the Bab-i Alem International Student Association at the Neslisah Sultan Cultural Center, with Anadolu Agency acting as the global communications partner. The program is designed to focus on how digital transformation plays out in individual lives, social structures and professional environments, while also opening up space for dialogue between different generations and sectors.
By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds with academics and industry figures, the event aims to bridge theory and practice and to frame digital change in terms that are accessible to a broad international audience, including participants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and expatriate communities living in Türkiye.
The summit will feature what the organizers describe as “inspiring speakers” sessions, with contributions from figures active across technology, education and social responsibility. Among those expected to speak are Erkam Tuzgen, general manager of Bilisim Vadisi, which is known internationally as a technology development zone supporting innovation and startups; Nurullah Er, director of employee experience at Turkcell, one of Türkiye’s leading telecommunications companies; and Oner Piyade, general manager of SETCARD, a firm operating in employee benefits systems.
Academic and civil society perspectives will be represented by Sefik Suayb Arslan, head of the Artificial Intelligence Institute at Bogazici University, one of the country’s most established universities, as well as Burcu Kosem, Istanbul provincial chair of the Turkish Red Crescent, a humanitarian organization active both nationally and internationally.
Beyond keynote-style talks, the program will also include digital experience areas, prize draws and informal networking opportunities. Participants will be able to connect directly with students, academics and professionals, allowing conversations to carry on beyond the stage and into potential future collaborations.
The summit is supported by the Federation of International Student Associations, known by its Turkish acronym UDEF, along with the Fatih Municipality and Turkish Airlines. It is organized with the support of the Turkish National Agency and the European Union, reflecting a broader effort to tie youth-focused initiatives in Türkiye into international cooperation frameworks.
Organizers say previous editions of the summit drew more than 950 participants and generated over two million interactions across digital platforms, indicating a strong online reach alongside physical attendance. Past events also hosted international students from 203 countries and involved more than 100 academics, underscoring the summit’s global scope.
The event is free to attend and aims to help young people build digital competencies, strengthen intercultural interaction and create global impact through shared discussions.
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