Participating in the Global Network Program has been a game-changer for my MBA experience. Currently, I am engaged in my fourth Global Network Course (SNOC), and plan to attend a Global Network Week next month. These initiatives have provided me with invaluable opportunities to collaborate with top-tier students from diverse backgrounds, sharpening my business skills while broadening my cross-cultural understandings. The Global Virtual Teams exercise has been particularly impactful, offering real-world experience in navigating global teamwork dynamics. Adapting to different communication styles and cultural norms has sharpened my abilities for future leadership roles. In a nutshell, the Global Network Program has not only enhanced my academic experience, but I've had the privilege of networking with individuals from around the globe, gaining insights into their unique cultures and empowered me to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse business landscape. I am deeply grateful for having crossed paths with my professors, program coordinators, and teammates.

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Neslihan Vatansever Gündüz MBA ‘24

Strategy Deployment and Business Performance
TOGG

The essence of an MBA extends beyond one-way transfer of knowledge from professors to students; it encompasses active student engagement, encouraging contributions to the development of both peers and professors. The Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) program exemplifies this philosophy by taking the educational experience a step further, eliminating geographical constraints, offering a transformative educational journey across the globe through GNW and elective SNOCs. These experiences not only allowed me to take courses at esteemed MBA schools but also facilitated networking with exceptional students around the globe. A pivotal moment in this journey occurred during the Berlin Global Dialogue, where I had the privilege of participating as a 'Young Voice.' Engaging in discussions with global leaders from public and private sectors, alongside more than 40 MBA students from 20+ countries, provided a unique platform to share insights and potential solutions to global challenges. I am grateful to the Koç University Graduate School of Business for its comprehensive education program, equipping me with a well-rounded skill set, and its global initiatives, which have broadened my perspectives and enriched my experience.

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Cansu Atay Yegen MBA ‘23

Strategy and Business Development Manager
Koç Holding A.Ş.

I am an MBA student at Koç University, and I participated in the GNAM program, which is a network of leading business schools around the world. I attended one-week seminars in University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business South Africa ("Doing Business in Africa") and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Israel ("From Start-up to Scale-up"), and online courses from Fudan University China (Does or Does not China) and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (“Ecosystem Approach”). Through these programs, I learned the importance of understanding the local dynamics of different regions and cultures, not only in terms of business, but also in terms of social and historical aspects. I also gained diverse perspectives from students from various countries, who enriched my thinking and challenged me to look at issues from different angles. Moreover, I realized that despite our differences, we share the same goals and values as human beings, and we are dealing with the same challenges but different time frames of our country wise and business wise history.

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Mehmet Yıldız MBA ‘24

Product Owner
Ford Otosan

Being glad to have studied in a business school that is a member of GNAM, I could not have imagined taking four courses from four different business schools around the world and attending two Global Network Weeks, one of which was on site. You can't understand a foreign culture without experiencing it firsthand, but thanks to these programs, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in different systems, meet various people, and explore diverse cultures. Moreover, we are keeping in touch with each other via different channels to update our perspectives and explore future possibilities. I am indebted to my professors, our program coordinators, and my valuable teammates for these unique experiences.

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Mengü Barkın Bikkul MBA ‘23

Financial Controller Supervisor
Stellantis

With 15 years into my career, I realise more and more how profound an impact the Koç MBA program had made on me. Not only did it give me a brand new career, transforming me from an engineer into a well-equipped finance professional, but it also embedded skills in me; diligence, insistence on delivering the best, self motivation and ability to cope with uncertainty. It gave me the tools and taught me the skills to work in an international environment. I more recently started to discover the skills the program gave me in people management. I can comfortably say, Koç MBA program, to date, has been the most influential device shaping my career. I was lucky to have privilege to monitor the program’s progress over the years after my graduation. Thanks to my role in the Koç Alumni Association, I remained in the close circles touching base with the university on a constant basis. I pleasantly observed that the quality and depth of the MBA program have improved significantly over time. The students now have more international exposure, better access to corporate circles and hence improved networking potential with professional life.

Last but not least, I have recruited and eventually employed many Koç MBA graduates over these years. In their local and international roles, I am proud that no single one among these young graduates has disappointed me or their subsequent employers in the finance industry. I am also proud to say that some these young talents are already among the leaders shaping the future of the finance industry in Türkiye.

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Albert Krespin MBA ‘98

Head of Equities Türkiye
CEO, Deutsche Securities Menkul Değerler A.Ş.

The most important thing I learned in the MBA program was working in teams and building consensus on how to come to decisions to build a project. The importance of soliciting and utilizing others’ opinions cannot be overemphasized and it contributes to an individual’s success as well as an organization’s success directly. This was something that I learned at Koç University and have utilized in every endeavor since then.

I challenge any young professional considering a graduate business degree to view all aspects of the program, not just starting salaries and job offers. The full-time degree is a lifetime, life-changing experience that should be well-rounded. Once you do that, you will see that Koç University Graduate School of Business stands in the top tier.

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Kemal Özışıkçılar MBA ‘00

Country Manager Türkiye, Middle East, Israel and Caucasus Countries Systems 4 Recycling LTD

The benefits of the Koç MBA program are pretty simple to point out. First, Koç University provides us with numerous extras that helped me find a good job after graduating such as career services, coaching and skill seminars. Koç University also presents its students the opportunity to attend lectures of leading managers from various multinational companies and a very strong alumni network. Second, Koç MBA curriculum is cutting-edge and innovative. I really appreciate the presence of strong and well recognized professors who are known in the international arena.

Koç MBA program helps me to further orient myself. The coaching sessions, professors’ willingness to help and the existence of the highly developed Koç University network are very helpful.

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Deniz Kerem Sargut MBA ’11

Supervising Associate
Ernst & Young

Koç MBA has equipped me with necessary knowledge and skills to run an international business, hence it has been clearly an inflection point in my career. Today, I am managing a group of regional economists from İstanbul with expanded responsibilities. Moreover, it is also a great honor for me to return to the business school as a visiting instructor, lecturing managerial economics class for MBA students. In a way, Koç MBA is an integral part of my life and it continually helps me advance my business and academic career.

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Murat Ülgen, PhD MBA ’97

Chief Economist
HSBC London