Seventh Stop:
Türkiye

Egemen Akgül, a seasoned professional in the field of design engineering and project management, has gained a wealth of experience since embarking on his journey in 2009. Born and raised in Bursa, Egemen discovered his passion for design and design engineering while pursuing his mechanical engineering degree at the university.

His enthusiasm for the intricate details of design and analytical problem-solving skills became evident early on, especially as he delved into the design development processes of vehicles at the onset of his career. Throughout the years, Egemen honed his expertise in various facets of the industry, contributing to the research and development departments of companies dedicated to both passenger and commercial vehicles.

Egemen is currently serving as the Product Engineering Manager at Karsan, an all-Turkish enterprise at the forefront of Europe's transport electrification which has garnered global recognition and numerous awards for its pioneering contributions to zero-emission solutions, such as electric motors, hydrogen engines, and cutting-edge autonomous driving technologies.

Karsan has successfully transitioned from traditional combustion engines to a comprehensive product line of electric vehicles, ranging from 6 to 18 meters. The company's commitment to innovation is exemplified by groundbreaking offerings like the 8-meter L4 autonomous vehicle and the 12-meter fuel cell vehicle, pushing the boundaries of what's achievable in the industry.

Dr. Büşra Buran, the Head of Strategy Development Department at IETT General Directorate, is a distinguished professional with a robust educational background and extensive experience in the realm of industrial and management engineering. Holding a degree from Galatasaray University in Industrial Engineering, Dr. Buran furthered her academic pursuits with a Doctorate in Management Engineering from Istanbul Technical University.

Commencing her professional journey as an Industrial Engineer at TT Enterprises General Directorate in 2010, Dr. Buran has showcased her proficiency and commitment throughout various key roles. Her trajectory at IETT General Directorate began in 2013, where she assumed the role of Business Planning Manager, subsequently advancing to the position of Service Improvement Manager within the General Directorate of Operations.

Since 2017, Dr. Büşra Buran has been serving as the Head of the Strategy Development Department, contributing significantly to the transformation and strategic initiatives of IETT General Directorate. In this capacity, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization's future trajectory.

IETT General Directorate stands as a prominent entity in the public transportation sector, focusing on accessible, economical, and environmentally sensitive services. The organization's mission, deeply rooted in historical development and innovative approaches, positions it as a leading provider of passenger-oriented public transportation services.

IETT General Directorate, a leading force in public transportation, is dedicated to providing accessible, economical, and environmentally sensitive services. Embodying values of being passenger-oriented, reliable, sensitive, innovative, and agile, IETT ensures transparency and responsibility in service delivery. Under its proactive and technology-driven management approach, IETT continuously improves services, embraces innovation, and prioritizes stakeholder satisfaction and environmental responsibility.

Mujdat Soyturk, Professor at Marmara University, received his Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees in Computer Engineering in 2007 and 2002 respectively from Istanbul Technical University. His research interests and projects focus on V2X Communications/Connected Cars, Intelligent Transportation Systems, IoT, and Cyber-Physical Systems. Statistical analysis and performance evaluation of the various network types are other skills.

He is the director of Vehicular Networks and Intelligent Transportation Systems (VeNIT) Research Lab (www.venit.org), which he founded in 2013. He carried out several EU framework research projects in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. He founded BigTRI as a spinoff of VeNIT Lab which is the leading SME in Turkey in Connected Cars and V2X communications. He has many academic publications, including ITS and V2X. He served as a member of the Editorial Board, TPC, and as a reviewer for many high-ranked journals and conferences.

Ebru Goca is the International Representative of Messe Berlin in Turkey and a Fairs Director at Goca Exhibition and Congress Services. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Eastern Mediterranean University.

At Goca Exhibitions, the focus extends beyond merely providing exhibition spaces. Goca Exhibitions sees itself as an institution dedicated to offering innovative ideas and commercial promotions. Rather than solely selling exhibition space, they aim to introduce new concepts and ideas to enhance the overall experience.

Frans Tillema is a professor in Intelligent Mobility at HAN University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on digitalization and automation of road transport, both logistics and passenger transport. In addition to technical aspects of automation, he also focuses on social acceptance of the same technology

Kerstin Kube-Erkens works for Messe Berlin, one of the largest trade exhibition companies in Germany. She received her degree in business administration from the University of Westminster in London and the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin. She started her career as a regional sales director at Elf Oil Deutschland GmbH (now Total). As a product architect, Kerstin focuses on new product ideas for Messe Berlin, conducts market assessments, and develops business cases in a national and international context. She is especially interested in interdisciplinary work and knowledge transfer.