SI-UK Türkiye Kadrosu
Gökmen Özdemir | Country Director
Gökmen Özdemir holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Uludağ University and an MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University, which he completed during his time in the UK. He has also pursued advanced professional training in Sales, Marketing, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship across the UK and Turkey. With over 20 years of executive experience, Gökmen has served as the CEO of Endless Group, managing multinational companies and spearheading innovative strategies in various sectors. He has also played a key role in leading education consultancies in Turkey, earning recognition for his entrepreneurial vision and groundbreaking contributions to the overseas education industry.
Gökhan Özdemir | Country Co-Director
Gokhan Ozdemir holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Turkey and furthered his studies in London, where he lived and studied for eight years. During his time in London, he managed the London branch of a Turkish education consultancy while completing his undergraduate degree. With over 18 years of experience in international education, Gokhan is an accomplished Co-Director with a proven track record in education management. He possesses a strong skill set in E-Learning, Customer Service, Coaching, Strategic Planning, and Marketing Strategy. Gokhan is a driven entrepreneur and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Business from Oxford College and the City of London Academy, combining his academic knowledge with extensive industry experience.
Rabia Yeni | Director of Operations
Rabia Yeni is the Director of Operations at SIUK Turkey, bringing a strong background in operations management and a passion for supporting students pursuing higher education in the UK. She graduated from Boğaziçi University with a degree in Early Childhood Education in July 2020. Rabia has over four years of experience as a Freelance Teacher, helping students develop language skills before transitioning to a leadership role at SI-Global. She has held the position of Director of Operations at SI-Global since November 2024, Deputy Operations Manager since November 2023, and previously served as Student Operations Officer from June 2022 to November 2023. With her extensive experience, Rabia ensures the smooth operation of SIUK Turkey, overseeing student services and fostering strong relationships with UK universities.
Gamze Karakuş | Director of Partners
Gamze Karakuş supports all partner institutions in managing processes for students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD studies in the UK. She graduated from Anadolu University with a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management and has extensive experience in hospitality, sales, and marketing, holding senior roles until 2018. Her career includes certifications in Social Behaviour, Marketing, Negotiation Skills, and Training Managers, among others, and she has been recognized by the International Congress of Educational Research. Since 2018, Gamze has focused on overseas education, driven by her motto: "To leave a lasting positive impact on students' futures by doing the job right, with excellence." Certified by the British Council as a UK Agent and Counsellor, she is known for her empathetic approach and outstanding student satisfaction. After seven successful years in the sector, she was promoted to Director of Partners on November 1, 2024, marking her fifth year at SI UK Turkey.
Ilknur Aktulan | Sales Manager
İlknur Aktulan is the Sales Manager at SI-UK Turkey, she graduated with a Psychology and Philosophy bachelor major and Women Studies master's. She gave lectures at Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin about the Turkish Woman Movement. She has more than 6 years of experience in the international education field. She has held the position of Sales Manager at SI-Global since November 2024 and previously served as Senior College Counselor from August 2022 to November 2024. Also, thanks to her psychology background, she can analyze students and help them plan their careers or education life. She placed students at the University of Oxford and so many Russel Group universities. She is responsible for counseling students and their parents at the first stage and also improving the academic alternatives for students. She is eager to help students with their important decisions.
Goncagül Gözen | Ankara Branch Manager
Goncagül Gözen has been the Regional Manager for SI-UK Turkey in Ankara for the past year. She holds an honors degree in Public Relations from Girne American University and a Master’s in Communication Sciences. With over 10 years of experience in UK higher education at all levels, she has worked as an education consultant, branch manager, and key account manager. Having studied in the UK herself, Goncagül shares her experiences to guide students and parents, helping them achieve their academic and career goals. Her passion for education, combined with her detail-oriented and dedicated approach, has made her a trusted mentor to hundreds of students throughout her career.
Buse Okuyan | Education Counsellor
Buse Okuyan has been working as an Education Counselor at SI-UK Turkey since 2022, following a 4-month tenure in the operations team. She earned her master’s degree in Educational Programs and Teaching from Yıldız Technical University in 2020. With a strong passion for education, Buse has gained valuable mentoring experience, supported by her student coaching certification. Dedicated to advancing her expertise, she actively assists students in making critical decisions regarding undergraduate, postgraduate, and language education programs. By providing tailored guidance on school alternatives and orientation, she ensures both students and their families are well-informed throughout the process. Additionally, Buse has completed the UK Agent and Counsellor training offered by the British Council and holds a certification in this area. She continues to combine her professional skills and dedication to education, striving to support students in achieving their academic goals.
Nilay Yardım | Education Counsellor
Nilay Yardım is an education counsellor at SI-UK Turkey. She has approximately three years of experience in this field. She graduated from Canakkale 18 Mart University with a degree in Labor Economics and Industrial Relations in 2020. Three years ago, she was excited by the idea of helping a student on his path to her dreams, and she has been working in this position ever since. She helps students realize their wishes with its communication skills, empathy ability, determination and infrastructure in this field.
Atıf Ogretmiş | Student Operations Officer
Atıf Öğretmiş joined the SI-UK operations team in May 2024, bringing a diverse background in education and counseling. A graduate of Marmara University with a degree in Chemistry (1996), he began his professional journey as a chemistry teacher before transitioning to teaching English at secondary schools, where he gained extensive experience over many years.Since 2022, Atıf has been actively involved in study abroad counseling, assisting students in navigating international education opportunities. He is certified by the British Council in guiding and counseling students aspiring to study in the UK, highlighting his expertise and dedication to supporting students in achieving their academic goals.
Can Kayalar | Student Operations Officer
Can is currently working as a Student Operations Officer at SI-UK Turkey, a role he has been in for the past 8 months. In this position, he manages and enhances student services and operational processes to ensure a smooth experience for students pursuing education abroad. He graduated in 2022 with a degree in International Trade from Yeni Yüzyıl University, which provided him with strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively across cultures. His academic background, combined with his professional experience,enables him to offer excellent support to students throughout their study-abroad journey.
Begüm Çetinkaya | Student Operations Officer
Begüm Çetinkaya has been working as a Student Operations Officer at SI-UK Turkey since August 2024. A graduate of Türkisch-Deutsche Universität, she brings diverse experience across operations, media, social media, social sciences, and tourism. Her degree in Culture and Communication Sciences, taught in German, has honed her analytical and critical thinking skills, enhanced her cross-cultural communication abilities, and deepened her understanding of media and cultural dynamics. This strong academic foundation enables Begüm to address societal issues with a nuanced perspective and excel in both written and verbal communication across a variety of contexts and audiences.
Narmin Mammadzade | Education Counsellor
Narmin Mammadzada has been with SI-UK Azerbaijan since March 2022. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Philology from AUL and a Master's degree in English Language and Literature from Qafqaz University, both completed with distinction. With over 12 years of experience as a language instructor at Qafqaz University and Baku Engineering University, Narmin’s academic background and expertise in education play a key role in guiding students in their course selection and career planning. She facilitates effective communication between students, parents, and educational institutions, ensuring a smooth and informed process for all parties involved. In addition to her counseling responsibilities, Narmin is also responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with SI-UK's strategic partners, as well as developing and implementing strategies for partnership growth and integration.
Cansu Aksoy | Junior Student Operations Officer
Cansu Aksoy has been working as Junior Student Operations Officer for SIUK Turkey since August 2024. She is also studying in Yıldız Technical University. She has various experiences in different areas such as operations, social media, relationships and entrepreneurship. She is with us using her strong communication and work discipline she gained in her previous works.
Nergis Dilan Erdem | Finance Manager
Nergis Dilan Erdem is the Finance Manager at SIUK Turkey, with a strong background in managing financial processes. She graduated as the second-ranking student in her class with a bachelor's degree in Econometrics from Kırıkkale University in June 2020 and is currently pursuing her master’s studies in the same field. Since February 2024, she has been serving as the Finance Manager at SI-Global. Nergis leverages her extensive experience to ensure the smooth operation of SIUK Turkey, monitors cash flows, and fosters strong internal relationships.