Theme: Try and Triumph

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Bilkent Laboratory & International School
Bilkent University East Campus
Bilkent
Ankara, Ankara, 06800
Turkey

Ali Kantur

Ali Kantur was born in 1949 in Izmır. He graduated from ODTÜ Industrial Engineering in 1972 and went to USA to complete his master on Industrial Engineering and Managing. He was the reserve officer in the Ministry of Defence Intelligence division center between the years 1972-74. His academic career was between the years 1973-1978 where he was a part-time professor in ODTÜ and Gazi University. In 1974, he became a company manager in TEPE Grubu Şirketleri and retired as a board chairman in 2004. Currently, Ali Kantur works as a vice chairman in İşbir Holding & Akdaş Döküm San. ve Tic. A.Ş, and as a board chairman in Akdaş A.Ş. & ITC Grup Şirketleri.

Ali Ihsan Pirgan

Ali İhsan Pirgan was born in Bursa/Yenişehir in 1970. He successfully completed Medical School in University of Ege in 1993. He received emergency paramedic training in SAMU Paris. He completed his MBA in the Üniversity of Marmara. Between the years of 1998 and 2015, he worked as the sales and marketing director in Eczacıbaşı, Solvay, Abbot and Danone. In 2015 his lifelong dream was completed as he received his Le Frande Diplomme in Le Cordon Bleu. He now possesses both a cooking diploma and a baking diploma. He now works at Happy Bakers-Sour’n Sweer Artisan Bakery 7 days a week. He is married and a father. He is currently receiving a license in Philosophy in the Üniversity of İstanbul. He is a Bursaspor fan.

Ayça Nur Kip Akyol

Born in Ankara, Dr. Ayça Nur Kip Akyol has studied in the Singing Department of the University of Hacettepe and attended Law School in Selçuk Üniversity and completed her graduate degree in Musicology in the University of Hacettepe. She completed her Doctorate in the Department of Social Anthropology in the University of Ankara. She is a writer of child story books and also musical books. Alkış, Yaşa Müzik, Şarkımın Öyküsü, Yarım Gün Ülkesi are some examples of her literary prowess. Her material has been performed globally by children choirs. Her musical work titled “Gelibolu Al Gelincik” is currently being staged. In 2008 and 2011 she has had a series of performances in Mongolia. She is the first Turkish soprano to ever have represented Turkey in Mongolia. In 2007 she has participated in the “AB Basic Education Program” in TOBB Economics & Technology University and “AB Speciality Education Program” in AUTUMN. Currently she works as an AB & Copyright coordinator in the State Opera & Ballet General Directorate.

Ayça Nur Kip Akyol

Ankara doğumludur. H.Ü Devlet Konservatuarı Şan Bölümü’nde ve S.Ü Hukuk Fakültesi’ndeki eğitiminin ardından yüksek lisans eğitimini H.Ü Müzikoloji Bölümünde tamamlamıştır. Doktorasını A.Ü Sosyal Antropoloji Bölümünde tamamlayarak doktor ünvanını almıştır. Ankara Devlet Opera ve Balesi’nde koro sanatçısıdır. Çocuk öykü ve müzik kitapları yazarıdır. Alkış, Yaşa Müzik, Şarkımın Öyküsü, Yarım Gün Ülkesi kitaplarından bazılarıdır. Ebruli Laleler isimli çocuk öykü kitabı Türk- Hollanda ilişkilerinin 400. yılı münasebetiyle, eş zamanlı olarak 2012 yılında iki dilde her iki ülkede de yayınlanmıştır. Çocuklar için ninni (Uyku Kuşu) ve şarkı albümleri de yayınlanmıştır. Besteleri yurt içinde ve dışında çocuk koroları tarafından seslendirilmiştir. Duy Dünya Duy, Annem ve Bu Dünya Rüya albümleri de kendi özgün bestelerinden oluşan albümleridir. Çanakkale destanımızı anlatan librettosu ve müzikleri kendisine ait Gelibolu Al Gelincik adlı müzikli sahne eseri sahnelenmektedir. Edebiyat dergilerinde öyküleri yayınlanmıştır. 2008 ve 2011 yıllarında Moğolistan’da konserler vermiş, bu konserler televizyonlarda yayınlanmış ve bu ülkede Türkiye’yi temsil eden ilk soprano olmuştur. 2007 yılında TOBB Ekonomi ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi’nde “AB Temel Eğitim Programı’nı”, 2010 yılında (ATAUM ) Ankara Üniversitesi Avrupa Toplulukları Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezinde “AB Uzmanlık Eğitim Programı’nı” tamamlamıştır. Devlet Opera ve Balesi Genel Müdürlüğü’nde AB ve Telif Koordinatörü olarak görev yapmaktadır.

Berfin Aksu

Berfin Aksu was born on March 16, 1998. She went to the Bilkent University Music Preparatory School where she studied with Muhammedjan Turdiev until 2012. The same year, she won a scholarship from London Yehudi Menuhin Music school which she still continues to study there. Berfin Aksu started to perform when she was 8 as a soloist in an orchestra and has worked under great names such as Rengim Gökmen, İbrahim Yazıcı, Burak Tüzün, Gürer Aykal, Hakan Şensoy, Sebastian Tewinkel and Howard Griffith. She still continues to perform in a wide range of stages with professional orchestras such as the Cumhurbaşkanlığı Symphony Orchestra, Prag Philharmonic Orchestra, Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, Eskişehir Symphony Orchestra, Kammerphilharmonie Bodensee Orchestra and Bursa, Çukurova, İzmir Devlet Symphony Orchestra’s. She has also given several recitals in numerous stages like the İş Sanat, Akbank Sanat, Cemel Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Albert Long Hall. Supported by the Çağdaş Eğitim Vakfı, Berfin Aksu currently creates and improves her work in the Guildhall Music and Drama School alongside Krzystof Smietana.

Bora Mutiş

Bora Mutiş has been a student here at BLIS for 6 years. Now, he is a senior and is finishing the IB program. Outside of school, Bora goes to fencing practice and has been for almost 10 years now. In these 10 years, he has competed in both national and international tournaments as part of the national team. Next year, Bora will be attending Lafayette College where he will be studying engineering while also being part of their division one fencing team.

Burcu Erdoğan

Burcu Erdoğan was born on the 9th of September in Ankara. She completed and successfully graduated from the Bilkent University Communication and Design Department in 2013. In the same year, she founded “be Creative Media” and, in doing so, signed on countless advertising and video deals. She contributed to major social responsibility and cultural projects and she continues to chase ideals she had set when she was young.

Doğa Tansel

TEDX

Murat Güngen

Murat Güngen graduated from BLIS in 2012 and the Bilkent University Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2016. He is currently in the first year of his Master's in the same department working in the area of neuromorphic engineering (the design and implementation of brain inspired electronic systems). He has been interested in neuroscience ever since enrolling into the IB Psychology program in 2010. An avid fan of science and innovation, he believes that the properties of the brain will inspire technology greatly in the not so distant future.

Özgür Aksuna

Özgür Aksuna was born in Ankara in 1978. He engaged with music and media as a vocal artist through TRT Radio Ankara. With Capital Radio, he achieved to announce his name as “The Man Who Wakes Up Turkey” to Turkey and abroad. Today, he continues to work in NTV with a program in “Max Fm”. In addition, he has a program in TRT named “Radio Doctor”. He has won multiple awards, including an oscar for radio programmer of the year. He works in various other platforms like “Netflix, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet”.

Serhat Bedük

Bedük is one of the rare artists who has managed to create a body of work that has forever changed one nation’s way of looking at popular music. Released 6 albums Even Better, Dance Revolution, GO, FUL, ON, Bi Dans Etsek and his latest single: Missing ( everything but the girl cover ) have shocked the staid Turkish music market, which until now has had to make do with raki, sis kebab, belly dance and dumbek for its pop needs. Beduk can be described as a one-of-a-kind genius who not only writes, performs records and produces all his own material, but also produces all album art and graphics himself. It's mainly dance music with an indie twist and lots of rock inspiration. Sounds as big and ground shaking as possible; and has a musicality and vision of an indie record that embraces the Electronic Dance Music world. Bedük has been touring for years in his home country, and has played the biggest open air festivals as well as clubs, theaters and live music venues. Combining his unbelievable stage presence, 5-piece band, and funky electro-rock style, the Turkish master has achieved unparalleled success. His creative and unique music videos combine wise allusions and metaphorical storytelling and are always a treat to see. A musical hero in the Turkish market, Beduk’s 2010 album GO and the first single Electric Girl was a worldwide success and spent three months in the Top 40 at the U.S. College Radio charts, peaking at #14. Pre-Nominated for 2014 Grammy Awards in 7 categories with the album " Overload "