The third edition of Zeren Group's "Bir Sen Bir Gelecek" program, launched to help young people discover their potential and prepare for the future with greater confidence, has successfully concluded. Throughout the year, 436 students participated in the program's training sessions. Those who successfully completed the curriculum proudly received their certificates during the graduation ceremony, marking the completion of an inspiring journey.

Meanwhile, Bahçeşehir University achieved remarkable international recognition in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2026, securing first place among universities in Türkiye. In the Partnerships for the Goals category, where the "Bir Sen Bir Gelecek" project was reported as one of the University's sustainability initiatives, Bahçeşehir University entered the world's Top 100 for the first time, ranking 89th globally.

Originally launched by Zeren Group in 2024 to support young people's educational, professional, and personal development, the "Bir Sen Bir Gelecek" program continued to attract strong interest in its third year. This year's cohort brought together 436 students from 93 schools across 45 provinces throughout Türkiye. Since its inception, the program has reached more than 1,000 students, aiming to raise awareness of sustainable development, strengthen participants' competencies, and encourage them to develop ideas that create positive social impact.

Implemented through the collaboration of Zeren Group, CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research), and Bahçeşehir University, the program offered participants year-long training delivered by distinguished professionals and the University's experienced academic staff. Students had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge across a wide range of topics, including sustainability, leadership, volunteering, and social impact. The graduation ceremony for the third cohort was attended by Seda Zeren Adıgüzel, Member of the Board of Directors of Zeren Group Holding; Prof. Dr. Çisil Sohodol, Advisor to the Rector of Bahçeşehir University and Director of CIFAL Istanbul; the CIFAL Istanbul team; and Bahçeşehir University faculty members.

The program was delivered in a hybrid format, combining Bahçeşehir University's academic expertise, BAUGO's digital learning infrastructure, and the international dimension provided through the collaboration between CIFAL Istanbul and UNITAR. Participants completed the "Leadership Journey in the 21st Century: At the Threshold of a New Era" curriculum, consisting of 29 courses delivered through both synchronous and asynchronous learning, providing a comprehensive and multidimensional educational experience.

"Your achievements are our greatest source of pride."

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Seda Zeren Adıgüzel, Member of the Board of Directors of Zeren Group Holding, emphasized the importance of investing in young people: "When we launched the ‘Bir Sen Bir Gelecek’ project, our primary goal was to help young people discover their potential, prepare them more confidently for the future, and stand by them as they pursue their dreams. The achievements we celebrate today clearly demonstrate the value and impact of this vision. At Zeren Group, we believe that investing in young people means investing in the future of our country. Throughout our more than 50-year journey, supporting the next generation has remained one of our highest priorities. We will continue reaching even more young people across Türkiye and remain committed to expanding this journey in the years ahead. Your achievements are our greatest source of pride."

Representing one of the program's key partners, Prof. Dr. Çisil Sohodol, Advisor to the Rector of Bahçeşehir University and Director of CIFAL Istanbul, highlighted the University's success in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2026: "We are proud to have ranked first among universities in Türkiye in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2026. Bahçeşehir University entered the world's Top 100 for the first time in the 'Partnerships for the Goals' category, ranking 89th globally. In addition, thanks to the projects we have developed to expand access to quality education, we ranked 6th worldwide in the 'Quality Education' category. As part of the University's ongoing work in sustainability, social impact, and international collaboration, the 'Bir Sen Bir Gelecek' project, implemented together with Zeren Group, was among the initiatives evaluated within the ranking process. Through our strong partnership with Zeren Group, we continue supporting young people in achieving their dreams. While we take pride in representing our country on the global stage, we remain committed to reaching even more young people and contributing to the development of the future leaders who will shape tomorrow."

Supporting Young People's Career Journeys with Internationally Recognized Certification

Through the " Bir Sen Bir Gelecek " program, students benefited from instruction delivered by Bahçeşehir University's distinguished faculty members and renowned guest speakers, while gaining an internationally oriented learning experience through the collaboration between CIFAL Istanbul and UNITAR. Participants who successfully completed the program became eligible to receive a UNITAR-certified certificate, providing internationally recognized credentials to support their future academic and professional careers. During the graduation ceremony, students celebrated their achievements by receiving their certificates and officially graduating from the program.