TSA Careers Night & Social
One night. Two acts. A room full of people worth knowing.
UWaterloo and McMaster Turkish Students Association are bringing together some of the most accomplished Turkish-Canadian professionals for an evening that starts with real career conversations and ends on the dance floor.
This isn't a typical networking event. The first half is built around leaders who have actually done it: in law, medicine, engineering, entrepreneurship, and immigration. The second half is pure social. Turkish and Western music, dancing, and the kind of conversations that only happen when the pressure is off.
You don't have to be Turkish to walk through the door. You just have to be curious. But if you've ever wanted a room where your background is an asset and your ambitions are taken seriously, this one's for you.
Free admission and Open to all! Just make sure to RSVP :)
The evening
6:00 PM: Check-in, swag, appetizers
6:20 PM: Opening remarks
6:30 PM: Tech, Law & Business Panel + Q&A
7:00 PM: Health & Clinical Innovation Panel + Q&A
7:30 PM: Panelist and Sponsor Recognition
7:40 PM: Bingo Networking, Booths, Food
8:15 PM: Karagöz Puppet Show 👀
8:30 PM: Pass the Parcel game!
8:45 PM: Social and Dance with an official DJ!
11:00 PM: The End :(
The panelists
Nurhan Aycan | Partner at Dentons One of Canada's most respected corporate lawyers. Nurhan has spent 25+ years advising high-growth multinationals on M&A, capital markets, and private equity at Dentons, the world's largest law firm. A former in-house general counsel and private equity managing director, he brings a rare dual perspective: operator and advisor. Recipient of the 2023 OBA Lauren D. Rachlin Award for Excellence.
Dr. Hasan Alkumru | Prosthodontist, Professor & Practice Owner A former Head of Prosthodontics and Director of the Implant Prosthodontics Unit at the University of Toronto, Dr. Alkumru also held faculty positions at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, keynoted international conferences, and built Dentalpoint into a respected specialty clinic in Toronto. His career is a blueprint for combining world-class academic credentials with entrepreneurial ownership.
Dr. Pinar Alkumru | Certified Orthodontist & Lecturer at UofT Dr. Pinar Alkumru completed her DDS at Istanbul University and her MSc and PhD in Orthodontics at Ankara University before earning a place in the University of Toronto's DSATP program, one of the most competitive postgraduate dentistry programs in Canada. A certified Invisalign provider and UofT lecturer, her path from international training to elite Canadian specialization is one of the clearest examples of what international ambition looks like executed at the highest level.
Zeynep Akkalyoncu | ML Engineering Manager at StackAdapt A UWaterloo MMath alumni and METU graduate, Zeynep leads machine learning and NLP efforts at StackAdapt, Canada's top-ranked demand-side advertising platform and a consistent G2 leader in programmatic tech. She made the leap from deep learning research to engineering leadership in industry, and has been a featured voice on AI in programmatic advertising. For anyone studying ML or data science at Waterloo, she is one of the most direct examples of where that path can lead.
Dr. Lefide Sakar | Associate Physician & Incoming PGY1, TMU Family Medicine Dr. Sakar recently matched into the TMU School of Medicine's Family Medicine residency program, a program so competitive it filled 100% of its R-1 positions for the second year in a row in 2026. Her journey from İnönü Üniversitesi in Turkey to practicing and matching in the Canadian medical system is a masterclass in persistence, professional vision, and navigating one of the most demanding healthcare credentialing processes in the world.
Ahmet Faruk Ocak | Founder & Immigration Lawyer, Blacksy Immigration Law Firm Ahmet holds an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School and is dual-licensed to practice in both Ontario and Istanbul. He founded Blacksy Immigration Law Firm, a Toronto-based firm specializing in business immigration, work permits, permanent residency, and immigration strategy for individuals and companies. His path from the Istanbul Bar to building a tech-forward firm in Canada is exactly the kind of story this room is built around.
The room
📌 Maxwell's Concerts and Events, 35 University Ave E, Waterloo
😎 Photobooth, swag bags, booths, games, prizes, and more!
Our lead sponsor
C&C Education, Visa and Immigration in Canada
C&C has been helping Turkish students and families navigate Canadian education and immigration since 2008. Based in Toronto and Istanbul, they represent 100+ universities, colleges, and schools across Canada and offer end-to-end support: school applications, study and work permits, Express Entry, permanent residency, citizenship, and even settlement services once you arrive. If you're a student trying to figure out your next step in Canada, or you know someone back home looking to make the move, C&C is exactly the kind of resource you want in your corner. Reach them at cc-kanadadaegitim.com or contact them directly at [email protected].
Institutional funding provided by the WUSA Student Life Endowment Fund (SLEF).
About TSA UW
The Turkish Students Association at the University of Waterloo was founded in 2024, with 25+ events hosted ranging from Iftar Night to cultural collabs with Albanian, Iranian, Romanian, and Malaysian student associations. This is our biggest event yet! uwtsa.com