A meaningful recognition and achievement program was held as part of the Communication Days organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Communication. Ümit Akdeniz, a multidisciplinary artist who graduated from EMU’s undergraduate program in Cinema and Television and the Master’s Program in Communication, and who also served as a research assistant in the Faculty for one semester, returned to his alma mater and former workplace this time as a guest speaker.
Held at Prof. Dr. Aysel Aziz Hall, the event continued with an Honor and High Honor Certificate Ceremony for students of the Department of Cinema and Television, following the industry experience-sharing session.
Importance of Interdisciplinary Work
Actor, music producer, and DJ Ümit Akdeniz, who has established a strong presence in the arts and creative industries, met with students for a talk titled “Planladığım Hayat Bu Değildi / This Wasn’t the Life I Planned”. Returning to the same podium where he had once stood as a student and later as a research assistant, Akdeniz reflected on the key turning points in his career, shared insights into the multifaceted nature of the creative industries, and spoke about the importance of interdisciplinary work.
Highlighting that his education in cinema and television had provided him with a broad perspective on the operational aspects of the industry, the accomplished EMU alumnus encouraged students to discover their own potential and to embrace creative solutions that would enable them to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the world, rather than adhering to fixed career plans.
Academic Excellence Recognized
Following Ümit Akdeniz’s talk, the program continued with the Department of Cinema and Television Honor and High Honor Certificate Ceremony. During the ceremony, certificates were presented to students who had earned Honor and High Honor distinctions in recognition of their academic performance throughout the semester, the quality of their projects, and their dedication to their coursework. Students took pride in receiving their certificates from Ümit Akdeniz—an accomplished alumnus and former research assistant of the Faculty—as well as from the department’s academic staff.