The Software Engineering Club (ASEC) of Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University (AYBÜ) brought Turkey’s leading technology companies together with students through the event titled “What Awaits You in the Defense Industry?”. Held on December 26 at the Etlik West Campus Conference Hall, the event attracted strong interest from students.
Industry Leaders Shared Their Experience
The conference, attended by experienced engineers from TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and HAVELSAN, all operating under the vision of the National Technology Initiative, began with an opening speech by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yenal Arslan, ASEC’s faculty advisor. In his remarks, he emphasized the strategic importance of the defense industry for Türkiye, the critical role of software engineering in this field, and how students can chart their own career paths within this ecosystem.
In the first session, Hüseyin Seçkin Dikbayır, Chief Engineer of Avionics Systems and Health Management Software at TUSAŞ, discussed critical processes in aviation software, reliability and verification requirements, and career opportunities within TUSAŞ. He highlighted the importance of disciplined work, thorough documentation, and strong team coordination, especially in fields such as avionics, embedded software, and systems engineering.
Next, ASELSAN Chief Engineer Dr. Alparslan Fişne spoke about the importance of domestically developed software in defense technologies and shared his experiences regarding the opportunities and challenges awaiting software engineers in the future. He outlined the competencies required in areas such as cybersecurity, communication systems, image processing, artificial intelligence, and large-scale software projects, advising students to build strong foundations and focus on project development.
“Our Work Has a National Dimension”
In the final session, HAVELSAN Project Management Engineer Kübra Beylem Davşan introduced the company’s strategic projects and student-oriented programs. The speakers emphasized that working in the defense industry is not merely an engineering job, but also a strategic responsibility for the country’s future, noting that the “national” dimension of these projects provides engineers with strong motivation.
Concrete Guidance for Career Paths
During the interactive Q&A session, students’ questions were addressed on topics such as internship programs, candidate engineer processes, and future software trends. Participants received practical advice directly from the speakers on preparing for technical interviews, building project portfolios, and understanding the work culture expected in the defense industry. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the speakers and a group photo session.
See You at Our Upcoming Events
As the ASEC management team, we continue our efforts without slowing down following this strong interest. Our Spring Semester 2025–2026 event schedule, prepared to support students’ career development and enhance social interaction, is as follows:
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March 31, 2026 – ASEC Entrepreneurship Summit
A major gathering for those who want to write their own story and step into the entrepreneurship ecosystem. -
April 21, 2026 – Software Quality and Testing Summit
Focusing on one of the most critical stages of software development: Quality and Testing. -
May 12–13, 2026 – GameJam 2026: Creativity and Competition Marathon
A major marathon for those who want to be not just players, but creators in the gaming world.
Location: AYBÜ Etlik West Campus -
May 19, 2026 – Traditional ASEC Spring Picnic
A short break from lines of code and academic intensity!
Location: Wonderland (Harikalar Diyarı)
