Illinois Ag Connection - Dual Degree Engineering Student Gains Global Experience at UN

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Dual Degree Engineering Student Gains Global Experience at UN
Illinois Ag Connection - 03/19/2019

SIUE School of Engineering's Ozge Ozisiklioglu, a sophomore in the ITU/SIUE Dual Degree program visited New York University and the United Nation headquarters through the Youth Assembly program organized by the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation.With a life goal of providing future generations with a better world, Ozge Ozisiklioglu consistently seeks global opportunities to prepare herself to achieve that mission.

A sophomore in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering's dual degree program with Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Ozisiklioglu calls herself privileged to have access to high-quality education in both Turkey and the U.S.

She visited New York University and the United Nations headquarters through the Youth Assembly program organized by the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation. According to Ozisiklioglu, participants are interested in acting on the planet's most challenging issues regarding the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

"Highly educated people have a responsibility to provide future generations with a better world," she said. "Obviously, this is not a movement I can pursue individually. I need partners. The best place for me to find partners and colleagues is through organizations like the Youth Assembly, which involves many young, passionate people from around the world."

Ozisiklioglu spent one day at the UN headquarters and two days at New York University for presentations by diplomats and ambassadors. An industrial engineering major herself, she notes the value of connecting with colleagues pursuing other specializations.

SIUE's Ozge Ozisiklioglu poses at the UN headquarters with official delegates."My colleagues are studying law, medicine, engineering, architecture, international relations and more," Ozisiklioglu explained. "Our professions are diverse. However, we have a common goal. We had inspiring dialogue and brainstorming sessions. I am now absolutely certain that an amazing future awaits, if we manage to be united."

Ozisiklioglu's passion for industrial engineering lies in its focus on increasing system efficiency.

"From my childhood, I was always passionate to make changes in life to save time and improve the quality of time," she said. "Studying engineering gives an analytical perspective toward life. We cannot build a better world without engineers and their solutions."

The aspiring leader notes one of the most impactful parts of her experience was meeting UN Assistant Secretary General Haoliang Xu, who holds an engineering degree.

"Mr. Xu emphasized that an engineering perspective is important, especially when dealing with complicated problems," Ozisiklioglu recalled. "During this summit, I also learned a lot of new information about the private sector, artificial intelligence and legal approaches. This will help shape my future."

Upon completion of her bachelor's, Ozisiklioglu plans to pursue a graduate degree in the social sciences.

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