Dolunay Aryaz Bayar, Marine Transportation Management Engineering, SUNY Maritime College - ITU '26
I am deeply honored and proud to have graduated as the top-ranked student of the Faculty of Maritime at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) for the 2025–2026 academic year, with a cumulative GPA of 3.58. This achievement reflects years of dedication, discipline, and perseverance. I graduated from the Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering Program of ITU's Faculty of Maritime, as well as from the Dual Diploma Program jointly offered with the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College. This milestone will remain one of the achievements I will carry with great pride throughout my life.
Following my graduation, I will continue my professional career as a Third Officer aboard a gas carrier with a U.S.-based shipping company. In this role, I will be responsible for ensuring the vessel's navigational safety, supporting safety management, and conducting shipboard operations in compliance with international maritime regulations and industry standards.
Reaching this point would not have been possible without the invaluable contribution of the SUNY–ITU Dual Diploma Program, jointly conducted by ITU Faculty of Maritime and SUNY Maritime College. Beyond providing graduates with degrees from two internationally recognized institutions, the program brings together different educational systems, cultures, and maritime perspectives, offering significant advantages for an international career. In particular, the education I received at SUNY Maritime College enabled me to develop a strong understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the maritime profession. Through laboratory work, simulator-based training, and extensive hands-on coursework, I gained knowledge and practical skills that made a noticeable difference during my cadetship and later while serving on commercial vessels.
Furthermore, the academic foundation established through studying in the United States provides valuable opportunities for students who wish to pursue graduate education or continue their professional development in the U.S. For these reasons, the SUNY–ITU Dual Diploma Program is an outstanding opportunity for students aspiring to build an international career in the maritime industry, offering exceptional academic, professional, and personal development.