Prof. Dr. M. Cemali DİNÇER
Professor M. Cemali Dinçer, Ph.D. is a distinguished academic leader, industrial engineer, and higher education executive whose career spans more than three decades across academia, industry, and institutional leadership.
After receiving his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering at the Middle East Technical University (METU), he was awarded a prestigious NATO Fellowship to pursue graduate studies at Stanford University, USA. At Stanford, he earned an M.S. degree in Industrial Engineering and Statistics and subsequently completed his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management.
In 1986, Professor Dinçer returned to Türkiye at the invitation of the founders of Bilkent University to join the inaugural faculty of the Department of Industrial Engineering. As one of the University's founding academics, he contributed to the establishment and development of what would become one of the country's leading engineering programs, serving on the faculty for ten years.
Following his academic career at Bilkent University, Professor Dinçer assumed senior executive responsibilities in the private sector, including serving as General Manager of Yeni Asır, one of Türkiye's oldest and most influential daily newspapers. He subsequently joined İzmir University of Economics, where he founded the Faculty of Communication, and the Faculty of Computer Sciences, laying the institutional foundation for the University's later-established Faculties of Engineering.
His executive experience further expanded in 2006 when he was appointed Accountable General Manager of İzAIR (İzmir Airlines). In 2011, he returned to higher education as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Istanbul Bilgi University. After relocating to İzmir in 2013, he served as Vice Rector of İzmir University of Economics before joining Yaşar University in September 2014 as Professor of Industrial Engineering.
After serving as Director of the Academic Office, Professor Dinçer was appointed Rector of Yaşar University on June 1, 2015. During his eight-year tenure as Rector, which concluded successfully in 2023, he led the University through a period of significant academic growth, institutional transformation, digitalization, internationalization, and organizational development. Under his leadership, the University strengthened its national and international standing while expanding its research capacity, innovation ecosystem, and strategic partnerships. Following the completion of his rectorship, he continued his academic career at Yaşar University and currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of YUTECH, the University's technology and innovation company.
Throughout his career, Professor Dinçer has successfully combined academic excellence with executive leadership. He has directed numerous strategic initiatives in higher education, engineering, research, innovation, institutional governance, and organizational transformation. His contributions extend beyond academia through active service on the boards of professional and non-governmental organizations, as well as through a substantial body of nationally and internationally recognized scholarly publications.
Professor Dinçer currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of ÇESVAK (Çimentaş Eğitim ve Sağlık Vakfı). Since July 1, 2026, he has also served as the Founding Foundation Representative of Işıkkent Education Campus, where he provides strategic leadership for one of Türkiye's leading K–12 educational institutions.