Founders
Hakan Yildirim
Chairman
Born in the Dutch city of Eindhoven on January
23rd, 1985, as a so-called third generation guest
worker of Turkish descent, I'm now studying
International and European Law at Tilburg
University. But it's certainly not just law that has
attracted me during my student life. I've always
had a keen interest for social initiatives and that's
the reason why I was one of those who stood in
front when plans for establishing Piri Network
were laid down on table. Of course I initially hope
to leave behind a flourishing network for all those
students of international descent, who want to
make the most of their time at Tilburg University.
Quote: “If man, as the existentialist conceives him,
is indefinable, it is because at first he is nothing.
Only afterwards will he be something, and he
himself will have made what he will be.”
Jean-Paul Sartre.
Marta Vesselinova
Secretary
The reason why I joined this association was
because I and many of my co-founders wanted to
found an association for some years. One of my
personal aims with Piri Network is that I want to
create a large network and get in touch with people
who can be a help with my personal goals in the
future. I also want to leave a legacy to future
students at Tilburg University.
My motto in life is never to use the word “impossible”. Because with using the word “impossible” we restrict ourselves the most.
Figan Tuncer
Coordinator
Chairman
Born in the Dutch city of Eindhoven on January
23rd, 1985, as a so-called third generation guest
worker of Turkish descent, I'm now studying
International and European Law at Tilburg
University. But it's certainly not just law that has
attracted me during my student life. I've always
had a keen interest for social initiatives and that's
the reason why I was one of those who stood in
front when plans for establishing Piri Network
were laid down on table. Of course I initially hope
to leave behind a flourishing network for all those
students of international descent, who want to
make the most of their time at Tilburg University.
Quote: “If man, as the existentialist conceives him,
is indefinable, it is because at first he is nothing.
Only afterwards will he be something, and he
himself will have made what he will be.”
Jean-Paul Sartre.
Marta Vesselinova
Secretary
The reason why I joined this association was
because I and many of my co-founders wanted to
found an association for some years. One of my
personal aims with Piri Network is that I want to
create a large network and get in touch with people
who can be a help with my personal goals in the
future. I also want to leave a legacy to future
students at Tilburg University.
My motto in life is never to use the word “impossible”. Because with using the word “impossible” we restrict ourselves the most.
Figan Tuncer
Coordinator
| Co-founder | Co-founder | Co-founder |
| Firuze Demir | Zeynep Demir | Gokhan Sark |
Born in 1984, I grew up in a Turkish family in Krefeld, Germany. After finishing my High-School there I came to the Netherlands to study International Business and am currently enrolled in the Master Program for Strategic Management at Tilburg University. My great motivation to found Piri Network is due to the lack of integration of international as well as Dutch students with a foreign background into the Dutch community. Compared to other Universities, Tilburg University already has a great potential when it comes to internationality. We strongly believe that embracing this potential will be an invaluable gain for Dutch, as well as international students. Piri Network’s dynamic activities and tireless efforts will assist in achieving this goal.
Quote: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
William Morrow
Kubilay Basci
Co-Chairman
I was born in 1987 in Sofia, Bulgaria. After receiving my secondary education in Sofia, I arrived in the Netherlands for my Bachelor degree. Currently, I am in the third-year of BSc International Economics and Finance. I decided to put efforts together with the rest of Piri Network’s founders and to found this young, fresh and energetic student association because of everything I can learn from and do for all the people I would work with. I will do my best to perform excellent job as the secretary of the board.
Quote: “Sometimes it is better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness.”
Terry Pratchett
Oguzhan Kaptan
Treasurer
I am 21 years old and I study psychology at Tilburg University. Being part of Piri’s first board is very challenging and the best chance to be part of an international network. In the near future one of my personal goals is to travel and see as much as I can. “Carpe Diem, meaning Seize the Day. Life is to short, live it at the fullest and don't look back.