Theme: UÇURUM

11 Ekim 2025’te, ışığın gölgeyle dans ettiği Bilkent Odeon’da bir kelime yankılanacak: Uçurum.

Uçurum sadece bir boşluk değil; karar ile tereddüt arasındaki gerilimin son eşiği.

TEDxBilkent U, sizi alışılmışın kıyısına çağırıyor: Atlamaya mı cesaret edersin, yoksa sadece bakmakla mı yetinirsin?

Odeon’un sert taşları, açık gökyüzü ve yankı yaratan sahnesiyle, her fikir bir sıçrama tahtası olacak. Bazen en büyük adım, sadece bir adım ileri değil; bir uçuruma bakarken kendine dürüstçe sorulan bir sorudur.

Bilkent Odeon
Üniversiteler, 1598. Cd. No:130
Çankaya, Ankara, 06800
Türkiye

Alara X

Influencer

Alara X is a virtual influencer and digital persona created by IAMX.Live, first introduced on October 15, 2021. She is recognized as Turkey’s first virtual influencer. Not a real person, Alara X is a hyper-realistic character developed using 3D graphics, motion capture technology, and artificial intelligence algorithms. As the first member of IAMX.Live’s “digital human colony,” Alara X presents herself as a virtual fashion figure, sharing content on social media such as outfits, travel visuals, and lifestyle posts. She also hosts a digital talk show titled “10 Minutes with Alara X”, where she interviews guests from the worlds of fashion, art, sports, and media. Through her online presence, Alara X interacts like a real influencer—posting, commenting, and collaborating with brands. She represents a pioneering step in Turkey’s digital culture, blending AI, design, and influencer marketing while redefining what it means to be a social media personality in the virtual age.

Aslı Sümen

Influencer

Aslı Sümen is a Turkish actress, model, and beauty queen born on September 17, 1994, in Mersin. She graduated from the Middle East Technical University (METU) Faculty of Business Administration. In 2017, she was crowned Miss Turkey and went on to represent her country at the Miss World 2017 pageant. Initially the runner-up, she assumed the title after the original winner, Itır Esen, was dethroned due to a controversial tweet. Sümen began her acting career in 2021 with the TV series Baht Oyunu, portraying Tuğçe Dikman. She has since appeared in several other series, including Erkek Severse (2022), Gülümse Kaderine (2022), Süper Kahramanlar – Altay (2023), and Ruhun Duymaz (2023), where she played the role of Hilal Koral. In 2024, she married Chris Bann in Rome.

Aysu Türkoğlu

Professional Swimmer

Aysu Türkoğlu, born in 2001 in Bodrum, is a Turkish open water swimmer known for her endurance in ultra-distance swims. She started swimming at seven and shifted to open water at fourteen, preferring challenging seas over pool races. In July 2022, at just 21, she became the youngest Turkish swimmer to cross the English Channel, completing it in 16 hours 28 minutes. A year later, she became the first Turkish woman and youngest Turkish athlete to cross the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland in 11 hours 48 minutes. In March 2024, she swam New Zealand’s Cook Strait in 7 hours 21 minutes. Her ultimate ambition is to complete the Oceans Seven, the world’s toughest open water routes. Alongside her record swims, she has also competed in shorter national and international races with strong results. A graduate of Bodrum Fen Bilimleri High School, she studied coaching at Ege University and has become a rising figure in Turkish sports.

Burak Dalgül

Motivation Speaker

Burak Dalgül is a Turkish mindset coach, author, and mentor specializing in cognitive training. He developed the “Zihin Kodlama” (Mind Coding) system, which integrates insights from multiple scientific disciplines to enhance mental performance and personal transformation. Drawing from his own experiences overcoming physical and psychological challenges, Dalgül emphasizes mental discipline, self-awareness, and resilience. His programs aim to help individuals break free from limiting beliefs, reprogram automatic behaviors, and unlock their full potential. He is also the author of Nasıl Bir Oyunun İçine Düştün? (What Kind of Game Have You Fallen Into?), which presents the principles of his Mind Coding system and strategies for personal growth. Recognized as a leading figure in Turkey’s cognitive training field, Dalgül provides tools to empower people to reshape their mental frameworks and achieve success.

Ertem Şener

Sports Commenter

Ertem Şener, born on July 18, 1975, in Malatya, is a Turkish sports commentator and TV presenter. After studying history at Muğla University, he began his career in radio and soon became a football commentator on local TV. He gained recognition at TGRT, covering Italian league matches, and later at Star TV, where he commentated UEFA Champions League games and hosted programs like Telegol and Futbolig. He also worked in Italy before returning to Turkey, where he continued his career as a host and commentator. At Beyaz TV, he became known for Beyaz Futbol and Derin Futbol, later serving as Sports Director. Renowned for his dynamic style and willingness to spark debate, Şener has also hosted quiz and entertainment shows on major channels, becoming a prominent figure in Turkish sports media.

İbrahim Hünkar Han Çelikhatiboğlu

Human Resources Director

İbrahim Hünkar Han Çelikhatiboğlu is a senior human resources executive at Turkish Airlines. He currently holds the position of Vice President (Domestic) in the Human Resources and Social & Administrative Affairs division. In his role, Çelikhatiboğlu is responsible for overseeing HR operations within Turkey, including recruitment, personnel management, employee relations, and internal policies. He is often involved in industry panels and university events, where he speaks about HR practices, talent development, and HR’s role in the aviation sector. Before ascending to executive leadership, he served in various HR management roles within Turkish Airlines and its technical divisions. His career path reflects a deep engagement with organizational development in a complex, operational environment like airline operations and aviation support services.

Mehmet Dinçerler

Bussiness Man

Mehmet Dinçerler, born in 1988 in Istanbul, is a Turkish entrepreneur and business leader. He began his career working in his family’s company, Hacı Sayid, a well-known Turkish dessert brand, before moving into management roles at Bon Appétit. In 2012, he took over the Turkish operations of Gloria Jean’s Coffees, revitalizing the brand and expanding it to 65 stores across the country. Dinçerler combines his background in industrial design with business strategy to enhance brand identity and customer experience. Known for his innovative approach and leadership skills, he has established himself as a prominent figure in Turkey’s food and beverage industry, blending entrepreneurship, brand management, and operational excellence to achieve sustained growth.

Mesut Polat

Banking Professional

Mesut Polat Professional Biography (Under 1000 Characters) Mesut Polat is an innovative professional with a wealth of experience in the Turkish finance sector. He currently serves in a key role at Kuveyt Türk, a prominent institution in participation banking. Mesut’s career path showcases a strong commitment to digital transformation and strategic execution, rooted in a solid academic foundation. His expertise lies in developing scalable financial solutions and successfully driving complex, large-scale projects. He skillfully bridges the gap between technology and regulatory requirements, contributing significantly to enhanced operational efficiency. Known for his collaborative leadership and strategic foresight, Mesut has been instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation and ethical practices throughout his professional journey. Outside the corporate environment, he maintains a passion for mentorship and exploring emerging fintech trends.

Murat Aksoy

Doctor

Prof. Dr. Murat Aksoy, born in 1970 in Istanbul, is a Turkish vascular surgeon and medical educator. He graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty in 1994 and completed his general surgery specialty in 1999. He earned his associate professorship in 2006 and became a full professor in 2013. Aksoy has extensive experience in vascular surgery, peripheral artery diseases, venous disorders, and endovascular treatments. He has worked at leading Turkish hospitals, including Liv Hospital, Koç University Hospital, and the American Hospital, and gained international experience at Paris Henri Mondor Hospital. Beyond clinical work, he has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters. Aksoy is also active in public health communication, hosting TV programs like Doktorum Yanımda and Adım Adım Sağlık, and shares medical knowledge with wider audiences. His career blends clinical excellence, education, and health outreach.

Şükrü Cem Kaya

Broker

Şükrü Cem Kaya is Vice President in charge of Domestic Sales & Digital Marketing at Tera Yatırım Menkul Değerler, one of Turkey’s leading brokerage and investment firms. He holds the role of “Yurtiçi Piyasalar, Dijital Pazarlama Genel Müdür Yardımcısı,” overseeing domestic markets and digital marketing activities within the company. In his position, Kaya helps shape the firm’s strategy for engaging individual investors, managing online campaigns, product offerings, and customer relations. He frequently appears in media as a market commentator and has participated in TV programs such as Paratoner on Ekotürk TV, where he discusses current market trends, investment strategies, and economic developments. His leadership contributes to Tera Yatırım’s broader vision of integrating technology, innovation, and customer-centered service, positioning the firm as a dynamic and forward-looking institution in Turkey’s capital markets.

Uğur Dündar

Journalist

Uğur Dündar, born in 1943 in Silivri, is a renowned Turkish journalist, writer, and television presenter. A graduate of Istanbul University’s Faculty of Economics, he began his media career in the late 1960s and became known for his fearless investigative reporting. Through hidden camera work and in-depth research, he exposed corruption, misconduct, and social injustices, shaping the landscape of Turkish investigative journalism. He rose to prominence with his groundbreaking program Arena, which combined journalism with a strong sense of public duty and earned him national recognition. Beyond television, he has written influential columns and books, becoming a voice for democracy and transparency. Over his long career, Dündar has received numerous awards and continues to be regarded as one of Turkey’s most respected media figures. His commitment to accountability, press freedom, and public service has made him a trusted name and an enduring presence in Turkish journalism.