NÛN Educational and Cultural , established in 2014, is a pioneering non-profit institution in the educational world. NÛN has a fresh vision of integrating tradition and future in educational and cultural field in Turkey; providing scholarships to students in need, prioritizing the education of a competent youth solely.
Fatih Nida ÜYE
Founding Representative of NUN Schools
Board Member of the NUN Education and Culture Foundation
Mr. Üye was born on May 29, 1969 in Muğla. After completing his primary education in Muğla, he studied in the Department of English Language and Literature at Istanbul University . He served as an English Language Teacher, Head of Foreign Languages Department and General Manager in different private schools. During this time, he also studied in the Department of Cultural Heritage and Tourism at Istanbul University. Mr. Üye is currently the Founding Representative of NUN Schools and a Board Member of the NUN Education and Culture Foundation. He is married and has two daughters.
Fatma Betül YILDIRIM
NÛN Primary School Principal
Fatma Betül Yıldırım, born in Manisa in 1986, graduated from Uludağ University, Department of Classroom Teaching in 2006. She started her teaching career at a private school. During the first years of her teaching career, she completed the Education of the Mentally Disabled program. She joined the NÛN Family as a classroom teacher in 2014. During our school's nomination and authorization operations for IB, Ms. Yıldırım received in-house and outsourced IB training in different categories. In addition to the IB training, she studied High-level Mathematics in Montessori Education. She furthered the integration of embodiment with an inquiry-based approach in the primary school curriculum. She attended various training sessions to enhance her teaching and head of department experiences. The fields she explored included assessment and evaluation, alternative learning, teaching approaches and methods, STEM, robotics, Forest School Training, conceptual understanding, and inquiry-based thinking. She continues her duty as School Principal of NÛN Primary School.
Fatma GEDİK
NÛN Middle School Principal
Born in Adapazarı in 1978, Fatma Gedik graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of History with a degree in 2001. In 2003, she completed her master's degree at the Institute of Turkic Studies of Marmara University with a thesis on the history of education. During these years, she also took an active role in forming children's libraries after receiving a librarianship education.
Ms. Gedik started her career in 2003, working in different institutions as social studies teacher, history teacher, curriculum planner for values education, head of the department, student coach, project writer, and museum lecture manager.
She prepared workshop designs for many cultural spaces with Extracurricular Learning Spaces Activities. Ms. Gedik has written the Topkapi Palace Teacher's Guide and Student Activities book, plans school activities in and out of the city, and leads workshops in these areas. Her project titled Hagia Sophia / Child-Friendly Spaces is selected as one of the top 40 teacher projects. Her articles have been published in various books and magazines.
Ms. Gedik joined the NÛN Family as the head of the department in 2019 and taught the Individuals and Societies unit, and was the group leader of extracurricular learning areas. Fatma Gedik continues her work as the principal of NÛN Middle School.
Ahmet ELMAS
NÛN High School Principal
Born in Istanbul in 1985, Ahmet Elmas graduated from the Department of American Culture and Literature at Dokuz Eylül University in 2007. During his undergraduate education, he worked part-time in different positions in a private company operating in the organization and tourism sectors.
He completed his pedagogical formation education at Marmara University Faculty of Education in 2008 and his master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University in 2020. As of 2007, he started working as an English teacher, head of the English department and in administrative positions in various private courses and private schools. He participated in many national and international projects, seminars, and training during his teaching and administration career.
Mr. Elmas has been an administrator at the primary, middle and high school levels since NÛN Beykoz Campus started its educational life in 2016. He participated in the nomination, evaluation and authorization processes of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP), Middle Years Program (IB MYP), Diploma Program (IB DP) and International Association of Schools (CIS) at NÛN Primary School, NÛN Middle School and NÛN High School. He served as Child Protection Officer (CPO) at NÛN Primary School until he began his duty as the Principal of NÛN High School in 2025. He is married and has a daughter.
Gülsevim ERBİL
NÛN Primary School Vice Principal
Gülsevim Erbil, born in 1985, completed her primary education in Kayseri. She graduated from Marmara University Department of Preschool Teacher Education in 2006. She worked as a preschool teacher in a private institution for 12 years. She completed most levels of IB & PYP training and continued her duty in the PYP program for over ten years.
She started the master's program in Educational Administration and Supervision at Okan University without a thesis in 2022. Ms. Erbil continues her work as the Vice Principal of NÛN Primary School.
Ayşe AKGÜNLÜ
NÛN Primary School Vice Principal
Ayşe Akgünlü was born in 1976 and studied in London from primary school to university. After graduating, she worked for an international translation company for many years before deciding to shape her career in English teaching. She conducted her career in London, with different age groups, including primary school-age children. In 2016, she settled in Türkiye and started a new career path at NÛN Primary School as an English teacher.
She received PYP training in different subjects and took the role of PYP coordinator during the IB inspection of NÛN Primary School. Mrs. Akgünlü was entrusted as the workshop leader at Türkiye IB Day Biennial and continues to serve as a CIS officer and vice principal. She is married and mother of two children.
Nesibe Fatma ECEVİT
NÛN Primary School Vice Principal
Born in Istanbul in 1989, Nesibe Fatma Ecevit completed her secondary education in the Fine Arts (Painting) department. She was accepted into Beykent University’s Painting Department through a talent exam, studied on a full scholarship, and graduated with honors. After completing her pedagogical formation training at Yıldız Technical University, she began her teaching career.
With ten years of teaching experience, Ecevit joined the NÛN Family in 2015, serving as a Visual Arts Teacher and Department Head. She completed her master’s degree in Communication Arts and Design at Beykent University’s Institute of Social Sciences. She participated in various art projects and later took on the role of Art Education Consultant.
Ecevit currently serves as Vice Principal of NÛN Primary School. She is married and has one child.
Dilek AKŞİT
NÛN Schools PYP Coordinator
Ahmet GÜLEÇER
NÛN Middle School Vice Principal
Ahmet Güleçer, born in Gaziantep in 1987, graduated from the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Istanbul University. Later, he completed his Master's degree in Education Administration and Supervision at İstanbul Aydın University and Yıldız Technical University. Güleçer began his teaching career at a private school and later served as assistant director for education. He also acted as vice principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels from 2014 to 2022. He concentrated his studies on system construction in educational management, school management and motivation, and the impact of the education system formed inside and outside the school on student dimensions. Mr. Güleçer has been serving as the Vice Principal at NÛN Middle School since 2022.
Cansu AKDENİZ SAĞLAMER
NÛN Middle School Vice Principal
Born in Zonguldak in 1994, Cansu Akdeniz Sağlamer completed her undergraduate studies in Social Studies Education at Bartın University. She continued her academic journey at the same university’s Institute of Educational Sciences, earning her master’s degree with a thesis titled “An Action Research on the Impact of Creative Drama Method on Imagination in Social Studies Classes.”
Since her university years, she has actively engaged in volunteer work, teaching drama in various schools. To support her professional development, she published articles on patriotism and values education and presented papers at international platforms.
She has served in various roles including Social Studies Teacher, Department Head, Educational Coach, Community Service Leader, and Action-Based Service Leader. She received training in special education practices. She played active roles in the IB MYP evaluation process and the Council of International Schools (CIS) candidacy, evaluation, and authorization processes. To help preserve cultural heritage, she pursued her interest in folk dance by obtaining a coaching certificate.
Committed to continuous learning and development, Akdeniz Sağlamer successfully completed IB MYP Category 2 training. Since 2018, she has been part of the NÛN Family and currently serves as Vice Principal of NÛN Middle School. She is married and has one child.
Onur KANDEMİR
NÛN Middle School Vice Principal
Born in Samsun in 1984, Onur Kandemir graduated from Near East University with a degree in Physical Education and Sports Teaching. To enhance his leadership, strategic planning, and organizational skills in the field of education, he completed his master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision at Marmara University between 2020 and 2021.
Since 2009, Kandemir has served as a physical education teacher, department head, and administrator in various educational institutions, taking active responsibility in key areas such as lesson planning, teacher coordination, student development processes, and organizing club activities. He holds coaching and refereeing certifications and has contributed to national and international sports achievements.
Since 2016, Kandemir has been part of NÛN Schools, where he has served as a physical education teacher and head of the middle and high school physical education departments. He has played an active role in lesson planning, teacher collaboration, and tracking student development. By completing IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) and IB MYP (Middle Years Programme) certifications, he has integrated a student-centered, inquiry-based, and holistic learning approach into both his teaching and leadership style.
As of the 2025–2026 academic year, Kandemir serves as Vice Principal of NÛN Middle School, leading strategic efforts in educational excellence, student achievement, teacher development, and institutional strengthening. He is married and has two children.
Zühal ÖZCAN
NÛN Schools MYP Coordinator
Öznur ÖZMUTLU BAYRAK
NÛN High School Vice Principal
Öznur Özmutlu Bayrak was born in Kayseri in 1976. She completed her secondary education at TED Kayseri College.
In 1998, she graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature at Erciyes University. She earned master's degrees in Educational Administration and Supervision from Yıldız Technical University in 2016, and in Education Institution Management from Istanbul Medeniyet University in 2021.
Her thesis focuses on "An Examination of the Teaching Outcomes in Primary Schools Applying the Montessori Education: A Case Study" and "Crisis Management Skills of School Administrators."
Since 2022, Bayrak has been pursuing a doctoral degree in Political Science and International Relations at Beykent University. Her research areas include "The Reflection of Sustainable Development Policies on Education Policies in EU Countries" and "The Impact of Global Environmental Policies on the Curricula of Countries."
Her interest in education began at a young age. The good relationship with her foreign language teachers as well as her recognition of the importance of foreign language acquisition in Türkiye led her to choose a career in education and start her career as an English teacher which moved on to various administrative positions later on.
Between 2019 and 2024, she served as the founding principal of Palet Turkish Music Primary School.
She started her responsibility as a vice principal at NÛN Middle School in the 2024-2025 academic year.
She actively serves as the vice president of the School Heads Association and participates in national and international events.
Bayrak, who is interested in following new practices in education, examining and implementing alternative education models, and traveling, is married and a mother of two.
Elif AKBIYIK
NÛN High School Vice Principal
Elif Akbıyık, born in Karabük in 1998, graduated from Gazi University, combining her bachelor's degree in Chemistry Teaching with a Master's degree in the same department. She is continuing her Master's program in Educational Administration and Supervision at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Graduate Education Institute. She took on the responsibility of teaching, educational coaching students, and dormitory principal. Worked in various projects of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of National Education. She expanded her knowledge of educational environments and management by participating in various trainings. These included training in human resources practices, human recognition, and competency-based interview techniques. She also received training in safe communication, individual and team coaching studies, personality analysis, and learning approaches. Ms. Akbıyık joined the NÛN Family as the Girls' Dormitory Manager in 2019. She continues her duty as the Vice Principal of NÛN High School.
Mert İbrahim BAŞEĞMEZ
NÛN High School Vice Principal
Mert İbrahim Başeğmez graduated from Haliç University with a degree in Physical Education and Sports Teaching. During his undergraduate studies, he focused on the cognitive impact of sports and developed teaching methods to support students’ mental and physical development.
He later began a master’s program in Physical Education and Sports at Haliç University, where his thesis compares the International Baccalaureate (IB) Physical Education curriculum with that of the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB). To strengthen his interdisciplinary perspective, he completed an associate degree in Child Development at Atatürk University and conducted studies in this field.
Başeğmez began his professional career as a Health and Physical Education Teacher at NÛN Middle School and later served as a Physical Education and Sports Teacher at NÛN High School. As of the 2025–2026 academic year, he holds the position of Vice Principal at NÛN High School.
Didem AKSAK
NÛN School DP Coordinator
Born in Istanbul in 1989, Didem Aksak completed her secondary education at Vefa High School and graduated from Marmara University with a degree in Chemistry in 2011.
Throughout her career, Aksak has undertaken diverse responsibilities in national and international educational programs, assessment and evaluation, and academic coordination. She has served as Cambridge Education Coordinator, Exam Coordinator, Scientific Projects Coordinator, and Extended Essay (EE) Coordinator. For over nine years, she taught chemistry across international curricula, including the IB Diploma Programme (DP), A Level, IGCSE, and AP.
At NÛN Schools, she supported the implementation of international programs, coordinated academic processes, supported faculty development, and monitored student progress. In the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years, she served as a Vice Principal at NÛN High School, managing academic and administrative operations, teacher coordination, student tracking, and institutional curriculum planning.
As of the 2026-2027 academic year, Didem Aksak continues her role as the NÛN Schools DP Coordinator.
Yasin GÜNERİ
NÛN Schools Academic Coordinator and Curriculum Manager
Yasin Güneri, born in 1983 in Ankara, graduated from Middle East Technical University - Faculty of Education Secondary Science and Mathematics Education Department with a combined diploma of Bachelor's and Master's without thesis degree. Starting his teaching career in a private educational institution in Ankara in 2006, he worked as a physics teacher at another private educational institution in Ankara between 2008 and 2010. Then, he took on the duties of IB Physics Teacher and Head of the Physics Department at a foundation school in Erzurum for ten years. He joined the NÛN Family as a Physics Teacher in 2020 and assumed the position of Head of the Science Department. Throughout his teaching career, he participated in various training programs and gained experience in a range of countries and mediums as part of the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge IGCSE programs. Besides taking an active role in the IB DP 5-year assessment and CIS authorization processes in the institutions where he worked, he has been working as an External Assessment Specialist in the International Baccalaureate Organization since 2015 and in GCSE exams since 2019. Mr. Güneri works as the Vice Principal of NÛN High School. He is married and has two children.
İlyas ÇALIŞKAN
NÛN Schools YKS Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Tayfun KINDAP
Member of the Board of Directors
Tayfun Kındap graduated from Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Meteorology Engineering in 1992. Between 1996-2000, he worked as an Engineer at the State Hydraulic Works (DSI), Istanbul Regional Directorate. He completed his master's degree in ITU Institute of Science, Meteorology Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences Program in 1996.
In 2004, Kındap finished his doctorate in Earth System Sciences, Climate and Marine Sciences at ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences and started his academic studies as a Research Assistant. He worked as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the University of California and Georgia Institute of Technology in the USA. Returning to ITU between 2005-2007, he continued his academic studies. In 2007, he conducted researches at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Computational Chemodynamics Laboratory in the USA. Kındap became Associate Professor at ITU in 2009, and entitled to be a Professor in 2014.
He served as ITU Secretary General between 2012-2016 and as ITU Vice Rector between 2016-2020. He was a Board Member at ITU Development Foundation, ITU Foundation, ITU Arı Teknokent and ITU Nova Technology Transfer Office.
Prof. Dr. Kındap has given numerous conferences in his field and has written national and international books, articles and papers. Currently, he is a Member of the Board of NUN Foundation for Education and Culture.
Zehra İLGEN ŞEKER
General Manager Consultant
Born in Istanbul in 1983, F. Zehra İlgen Şeker went to the USA for higher education after completing his secondary and high school education in Istanbul. She completed her undergraduate education in Psychology at Indiana University in 2005 and her master's degree in Filial Therapy at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in 2008. She received training in game therapy and sand therapy simultaneously. During her years in America, she carried out both individual and group studies in various fields with preschool, primary education and adolescent age groups as a psychologist in many institutions and organizations. She gave voluntary services in public and private social services institutions. After 12 years of experience in the United States, Şeker continues her career as a General Manager Consultant, which she started as a psychologist and play therapist at NUN Primary School in 2014.
Feyza MERCAN YAZAR
NÛN Schools Human Resources and Strategic Planning Manager
Born in İstanbul in 1985, Feyza Mercan Yazar completed her primary, secondary, and high school education in Istanbul before graduating from the Department of Economics at Sakarya University. After completing a language program in the United States, she returned to Türkiye and took on backstage roles for various prestigious organizations and festivals, collaborating with notable figures in the industry. From 2010 to 2014, she worked as an assistant to the General Manager at a holding company while also pursuing a master's degree in Communication at Marmara University.
In 2014, Yazar joined the NÛN family and assumed various roles as a specialist in Corporate Communications, Parent Communications, and Human Resources at NÛN Primary School. She graduated with honors from Istanbul Technical University's Human Resources Management certificate program. Believing that learning is a lifelong journey, she has actively participated in most trainings conducted at NÛN Schools during her over 10 years of work life there. As the strategic planning unit was brought under the HR Unit, she took on administrative responsibilities.
Since 2022, she has continued her role as the Human Resources and Strategic Planning Manager. She is married, a mother of two children, and a cat.
Ayşe KASAPOĞLU
NÛN Schools Corporate Communications and Student Admissions Manager
Born in Antalya in 1988, Ayşe Kasapoğlu graduated from Koç University with a bachelor's degree in Economics. Since her university years, she has been closely involved in social responsibility projects and has actively contributed to initiatives focused on education and social impact.
Since 2016, she has been serving as the Corporate Communications and Student Admissions Manager at NÛN Foundation for Education and Culture, undertaking the institution’s communication strategies, brand management, institutional project organization, as well as coordination of student admissions.
Ayşenur ENGİL ER
NÛN Schools Information Technologies Manager
Born in Istanbul in 1982, Ayşenur Engil Er graduated with a dual degree in Mathematics and Computer departments at Beykent University in 2004. Engil Er completed her Master's in Business Management at Yıldız Technical University in 2022.
Between 2004 and 2010, she worked as a Software Engineer and Systems Analyst for Workcube E-Business Systems at Çalık Holding. She was involved in e-transformation projects for companies in various sectors such as manufacturing, sales, finance, media, and education. She provided consultancy for international projects as an SAP Consultant within the same company.
Between 2012 and 2014, she served as an SAP Team Leader, leading one of the first e-transformation projects in the Turkish energy sector.
From 2014 to 2016, she worked as the Information Technology Manager at NÛN Schools, where she was responsible for managing the institution's IT infrastructure and technological needs, implementing an ERP project, and integrating systems developed specifically for the institution. Since 2016, she has been serving as the Information Technology Manager at NÛN Foundation for Education and Culture. She is married and mother of two children.
Tuğba ECE
NÛN Schools Camps and Innovation Center Manager
Born in Balıkesir, Türkiye, in 1985, Tuğba Ece graduated from Çankaya University with a degree in English Language and Literature and received her Pedagogical Formation from Hacettepe University. She completed her master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision at Maltepe University in 2019.
Throughout her career, which she started as an English teacher in 2008, Ece has consistently obtained certificates and professional training from numerous prestigious national and international institutions to distinguish herself in educational management, international program development, and institutional leadership. Following her roles as Coordinator of European Union Projects and Coordinator of International Brand/Program Development, she served as the Founding Director of an international school between 2015 and 2017. In 2018, she received an Educational System Management Skills certificate from Maltepe University. Following this, she successfully completed the Child Protection and Child Rights training program at Harvard University between 2019 and 2020, and in 2020, she obtained a Quality Management System Lead Auditor certificate from RoyalCert. In 2021, she completed a training focused on child protection and safety in schools within ECIS.
In 2022, she actively participated in the global Anti-Discrimination Task Force initiative held at the International School of Geneva, organized in collaboration with CIS, ECIS, IB, and AIELOC. Most recently, in 2025, she earned certifications from IBM (Artificial Intelligence and AI Solutions), HEC Paris (Entrepreneurship Strategy), and the University of Pennsylvania (Social Impact), while also obtaining a TESOL certificate from the University of Arizona in the same year.
Having visited over 45 countries for educational research and managed international partnerships across more than 30 countries, Ece has presented her work at the Oxford Research Symposium at Oxford University and has been a featured speaker at GESS Dubai and GESS Türkiye. Her achievements have been recognized with awards and finalist placements at prestigious international platforms such as the European Business Awards, the Gulf Customer Experience Awards, and the International Business Excellence Awards.
Between 2020 and 2025, she spearheaded the entire process as the CIS Accreditation Officer for NÛN Schools. Tuğba Ece currently serves as the Camps and Innovation Center Manager at the NÛN Foundation for Education and Culture and NÛN Schools.
Fatih ARAZ
NÛN Schools Financial Affairs and Procurement Manager
Yunus KAŞ
NÛN Schools Campus Services Manager
Born in Istanbul in 1986, Yunus Kaş graduated from Afyon Kocatepe University with a degree in Sociology. He completed his Pedagogical Formation in Philosophy Teaching at Sakarya University. In 2015, he completed a Family Counseling Training Program at Marmara University in 2015 and earned his master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Ondokuz Mayıs University in 2020.
Beginning his professional career in 2010, Kaş worked across various public and private educational institutions specializing in gifted education, school counseling, and serving as Head of the Counseling Department. In pursuit of his professional development, he participated in numerous national and international educational programs and projects.
In 2016, he joined the NÛN Family as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) Design Teacher and IB MYP Projects Coordinator. He undertook key academic and administrative roles within the institution, including High School Vice Principal and Assistant Principal Responsible for Administrative Affairs, he currently serves as the Campus Services Manager. Yunus Kaş is married and has one daughter.
Abdullah ŞAHİNKAYA
NÛN Schools Dormitory Services Manager
Born in Fatih, Istanbul, in 1990, Abdullah Şahinkaya completed his primary and secondary education in Fatih. He earned his bachelor's degree in International Relations from Anadolu University and completed his master's degree in Business Administration and Management at Yıldız Technical University.
Actively involved in youth and community initiatives since his high school years, Şahinkaya has undertaken voluntary leadership roles across various non-governmental organizations, associations, and foundations. Within this framework, he took part as a manager and stakeholder in designing and executing projects tailored for high school and university students.
Following various part-time and seasonal engagements during his university studies, he began his professional career at Fatih Municipality in 2013, overseeing youth programs, corporate events, and organizational operations until 2017.
Joining the NÛN Foundation for Education and Culture in 2019, Şahinkaya initially served as Administrative Affairs Manager. In 2024, he was appointed Campus Services Manager, overseeing administrative and technical operations as well as daily campus management. As of August 2026, Abdullah Şahinkaya serves as the Dormitory Services Manager. He is married and has one daughter.
Melih KAHRAMANLAR
NÛN Schools Career Center Manager
1994 İstanbul’da doğan Melih Kahramanlar, lisans eğitimini Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf Üniversitesi Psikoloji Bölümünde tamamladı. Haliç Üniversitesi Klinik Psikoloji Tezli Yüksek Lisans Programında “Yetişkin bireylerde sosyal medya bağımlılığı, psikolojik dayanıklılık ve benlik saygısı arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi” başlıklı tezi tamamlayarak klinik psikolog ünvanını aldı. 2020 yılında pedagojik formasyon sertifika eğitimini tamamladı. 2014-2017 yılları arasında ruh sağlığı çalışanlarına yönelik düzenlenen akademik eğitimlerin planlanması ve organizasyonunda görev aldı.
2018 yılında NUN Okulları PDR Uzmanı olarak göreve başlayan Kahramanlar, NUN Lisesinde çeşitli kademelerde görev aldıktan sonra 2021 yılında Yurt İçi Eğitim Danışmanı, 2022 yılında NUN Okulları Kariyer Merkezi Koordinatörü olarak görevlendirildi. Kahramanlar, çalışmalarına Eylül 2024 itibarıyla Kariyer Merkezi Müdürü olarak devam etmektedir.
