Alumni Conferences
The Alumni Conferences are a core component of the GET MA programme and reflect a vibrant international network that connects academia, politics and professional practice. They provide a space for scholarly exchange, intercultural dialogue and intergenerational networking among alumni, current students and external experts. The first conference was held at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara and focused on migration and German-Turkish relations. From the outset, the format combined academic debate with personal exchange: new students benefit from engaging with experienced graduates and gain insights into academic specialisations and international career paths. Since then, the conferences have been held almost annually, alternating between Berlin and Ankara. They strengthen transnational and intercultural ties within the GET MA community and promote sustained exchange on current research projects, socio-political developments and professional experiences. In doing so, they foster academic and professional networks that enable cooperation across academia, politics and practice, and support the long-term career development of alumni.
Ankara, 21–24 November 2024
The 8th GET MA Alumni Conference brought together more than 40 graduates from over ten countries in Ankara. Alumni-organised panels and practice-oriented workshops addressed key global challenges, including security policy and the Zeitenwende, energy issues, disinformation, migration, social change and gender activism. Distinguished experts from diplomacy, academia and the media contributed to the discussions. The conference once again highlighted the programme’s distinctive strength: the combination of academic excellence, practice-oriented training and an active international alumni network.
Belgrade, 6–9 October 2022
Following the pandemic-related break, the alumni community was finally able to meet again in person in 2022. Hosted by the University of Belgrade in cooperation with the GET MA Office, the conference offered a diverse and engaging programme. Key themes included democracy and authoritarianism in the post-communist Balkans and Serbia’s EU integration process. Academic lectures, alumni-led panels and insights into local politics and society made the conference an intensive forum for both scholarly and personal exchange.
Online Conference 2021
In 2021, the Alumni Conference was held online due to the pandemic. Over two days of presentations and discussion panels, international networking remained vibrant despite the circumstances, demonstrating the resilience and cohesion of the GET MA community.
Ankara, 22–25 November 2018
The fifth Alumni Conference marked the eleventh year of the programme. Around 50 alumni from Germany, Turkey and other countries gathered to exchange views on developments within the programme as well as their professional and academic trajectories. A keynote address by Prof. Dr Sencer Ayata, one of the programme’s founding figures, was a particular highlight. Workshops on design thinking and on the ethics and methodology of conducting fieldwork complemented the academic programme.
Berlin, 16–18 November 2017
The fourth Alumni Conference, held at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, coincided with the tenth anniversary of the German-Turkish Master’s Programme. Since its launch in 2007, GET MA has produced graduates from numerous regions around the world. The conference focused on the diverse career paths and research projects of alumni – ranging from doctoral research in the social sciences to roles in education, policy advisory work and civil society initiatives.
The Alumni Conferences thus consistently reflect the core of the GET MA programme: academic excellence, international perspectives and a strong, intergenerational network that sustainably fosters scholarly dialogue and professional cooperation.
