Prof. Öktem Vardar

Öktem Vardar received his bachelor’s degree from Robert College (1966–1971), his master’s degree (1971–1972), and his PhD (1972–1975) from the University of California, Berkeley. He served on the Faculty of Engineering at Boğaziçi University (1975–2004), becoming an associate professor in 1981 and a full professor in 1988. He was active in Machine Design, Fatigue, and Fracture Mechanics, and established the Fracture Laboratory. He held key administrative positions as Vice Rector of Boğaziçi University (1994–2000) and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (2001–2004).

He has also served as a member of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Scientific Board Member at TÜBİTAK, Chairman of the Board at the Feza Gürsey Institute, and a Board Member of TÜSSİDE and UME. From 2004–2010, he was Vice Rector / Acting Rector at Işık University.

Since 2003, he has acted as a reviewer for the European Universities Association (EUA) Institutional Assessment Program, contributing to the institutional evaluation of 22 European universities. In 2011, he served as Secretary General of the Magna Charta Observatory. As the first Rector of TED University (2011–2015), he led the establishment of the university, and since 2016, he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of TED University. Between 2018–2021, he served as a member of the Presidential Education and Training Policies Board.

Personal website: www.oktemvardar.com