A high-level delegation from Georgia State University left Monday for Turkey to explore partnerships with universities there and attend an alumni reception hosted by a top Coca-Cola Co. executive.
Georgia State President Mark Becker, Provost Risa Palm, Robinson College of Business Dean Fenwick Huss and Tamer Cavusgil, director of Robinson’s Institute of International Business are among those on the trip.
According to Georgia State, the group will visit Sabanci University, Ozyegin University, Bogazici University, Marmara University, Yeditepe University, Bahcesehir University and others.
They will also meet with representatives of the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey and attend an alumni reception hosted by Ahmet C. Bozer, president of Coca-Cola’s Eurasia and Africa Group, who is a Robinson College alumnus.
Last November, Mr. Bozer received Robinson College’s Alumni Global Business Leadership Award.
He moved to Atlanta at age 21 from Ankara, Turkey, to attend graduate school at Georgia State. He was hired by Coca-Cola in 1990 as financial controller, transferred to Turkey in 1992 and was quickly promoted. He is now in charge of Coke in 90 countries, including India, Russia and South Africa.
When he left Ankara to attend Georgia State, the economic outlook for his home country was not bright. “Turkey had a very closed economy,” he recalled in an interview last year with GlobalAtlanta. “It was illegal to have even one [U.S.] dollar in your pocket.”
In the United States, he saw a far more promising economy and an inspiring mindset for business. The thinking was that, “If you have a clear objective and you really apply yourself, you can achieve a lot,” said Mr. Bozer. “That was a revelation for me. I felt motivated. I felt empowered.”