Institute of Graduate Programs
On December 9, 2025, Melek Akagündüz, Head of Foreign Trade Operations Product Management at Burgan Bank, participated as a guest speaker in the Global Logistics and Strategies course offered by the Graduate School of Beykoz University.
The main theme of the lecture was the concept of digital transformation in foreign trade. Although data is now widely produced, stored, and transferred digitally across many fields, the fact that foreign trade documents such as bills of lading are still issued on paper was critically examined by Akagündüz. Her evaluations highlighted both the sector’s digital infrastructure gaps and the regulatory and practical challenges that hinder full digitalization.
In her talk, Akagündüz emphasized the expectation that digitalization will enhance efficiency in process management. She also shared insights into recent digital investments in the banking and foreign trade sectors, the occasional disappointments experienced throughout this process, and the long-term potential that continues to inspire optimism.
Additionally, Akagündüz discussed her vision and strategic expectations for the 2030s, addressing the topic from both a historical and regulatory perspective. She underscored that digitalization depends not only on technical infrastructure but also on institutional adaptation and regulatory compliance, noting its potential to fundamentally transform foreign trade operations.
Students and faculty members who attended the session expressed that Akagündüz’s evaluations offered valuable perspectives on the future of foreign trade.
We thank Melek Akagündüz for her valuable contributions.
This content was updated on 11/12/2025.