The 12th Retail and Real Estate Management Certificate Program by the Alp Alkaş Retail and Real Estate Center Kicks Off

Empowering the retail and real estate sectors with innovative and entrepreneurial leaders for the past 11 years, the Alp Alkaş Retail and Real Estate Center (AARREC) has launched the 12th Retail and Real Estate Management Certificate Program with the academic support of Özyeğin University. The new term was inaugurated on October 21, 2025, with a ceremony held at Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul, welcoming 38 new participants to the program. Led by Prof. Işıl Erol from Özyeğin University as Academic Director and Tuğba Güraslan as Executive Director, the Center has been shaping the future of the industry since its founding in 2013, with a mission to create lasting value and cultivate new leaders through research, education, and lifelong learning. To date, the Center has produced over 450 graduates, many of whom now hold influential positions across the sector.

Building on its strong foundation, this year’s program introduces two new modules on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, expanding the structure from six to eight modules for the 2025–2026 academic year. With each module lasting three days, the program will run until May 14, 2026. Throughout the program, 24 academicians and 80 industry professionals will contribute their expertise, covering a broad spectrum of topics ranging from retail management and financial strategies to real estate development, sustainability, and innovation.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. M. İrşadi Aksun, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Impact at Özyeğin University, Prof. Işıl Erol, Avi Alkaş, and Tuğba Güraslan reflected on the values and vision that Alp Alkaş brought to the sector and shared their goals for the new term. The event’s guest of honor, Mehmet Nane, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Pegasus Airlines, joined Avi Alkaş for a captivating talk on his book Size Anlatacaklarım Var (“I Have Stories to Tell You”), sharing his leadership journey, professional experiences, and inspiring stories from his career. The new academic term commenced with the first course, “Fundamentals of Retail,” co-taught by Mehmet Nane and Emrah İnel, Group President for Real Estate and Sales at Vakko.

For more about the center: https://aarrec.ozyegin.edu.tr/en/home-page