Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Interior Architecture organized the 6th edition of the International Nurten Aksugür Best Concept Communication (EİKİ) Student Competition. Attracting a total of 43 project submissions from 14 universities nationally and internationally, the competition recognized outstanding projects selected through a jury evaluation process.
Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) student Dila Elçi secured first place in the competition, followed by Rümeysa Çakır from Istanbul Technical University in second place and Ömercan Aşar from EMU in third place. Honorable Mention Awards were presented to İrem Özdemir from MEF University, who received recognition for two separate projects, and Nazife Gamze Diken from Karadeniz Technical University.
The competition’s jury brought together distinguished figures from academia and the design industry. The jury comprised Prof. Dr. Erdal Aksugür, Prof. Dr. Özge Cordan, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Tuna Ultav, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hacer Başarır Dindiç, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guita Farivarsadri, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Devrim Yücel Besim, Assist. Prof. Dr. Eliz Erdenizci, Chair of the TRNC Chamber of Interior Architects Pembe Komut, and design and architecture professionals Yalın Tan, Levent Çırpıcı, and Burcu Şenparlak.
A Meaningful Competition Ahead of the 30th Anniversary
EMU Faculty of Architecture, Department of Interior Architecture Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hacer Başarır Dindiç stated that the competition holds particular significance for the Faculty and the Department as they prepare to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dindiç emphasized that the academic legacy of the late Prof. Dr. Nurten Aksugür, who played a pioneering role in establishing the Department and served as its Founding Chair from 1997 to 2001, continues to be honored and preserved through this competition held in her name.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dindiç highlighted that the competition provides students with a valuable opportunity to develop their creative thinking skills, effectively communicate their design ideas, and showcase their work on an international platform. She further noted that initiatives of this nature, which bring together aspiring designers from different universities, play a significant role in fostering academic exchange and strengthening design culture.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dindiç also extended her gratitude to the jury members for their contributions to the evaluation process; Assist. Prof. Dr. Seyit Ermiyagil and Research Assistant Seren Ogan for their efforts in organizing and coordinating the competition; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guita Farivarsadri for her contributions to the competition’s development since its first edition; and the Aksugür family for their invaluable support in ensuring its continuity.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Seyit Ermiyagil and Research Assistant Seren Ogan, both members of the competition’s organizing committee, also expressed their appreciation to the participating students and jury members who contributed to the evaluation process, while congratulating the award-winning students. They further highlighted the importance of supporting emerging designers and creating opportunities for them to express their creativity.
Bringing together aspiring designers from different universities through their shared passion for design, the competition provided students with an opportunity to showcase their creative ideas, explore diverse perspectives, and share their work with a wider audience.
