--- title: İlhan Varank slug: ilhan-varank-c092e url: /detay/ilhan-varank-c092e type: biography language: English entity: primary: İlhan Varank type: biography categories: - name: Math slug: matematik url: /kategori/matematik - name: Information And Communication Technologies slug: bilisim-ve-iletisim-teknolojileri url: /kategori/bilisim-ve-iletisim-teknolojileri tags: - İlhan Varank - 15 July - Martyr author: Nurten Yalçın created_at: 2025-12-01T10:49:08.569744+03:00 updated_at: 2025-12-01T10:49:08.569764+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/14/NHnRGPCqypGUzWQnLconmgkgvz98nCqi.png --- # İlhan Varank > Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank, who pursued his academic career in Türkiye and the United States, was a scholar who was martyred while resisting the coup attempt in Istanbul on 15 July 2016. ## KURE Information Cards ![003-İlhan-Varank-foto.jpeg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/14/JiiPv9pGST2108xHLqz9h5ddSObzxdQ3.png) *Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Doğum tarihi | 1971-01-01 | | Place of Birth | Zonguldak | | Marital Status | Married | | Number of Children | 2 | | Profession(s) | Academician | | Field of Specialization | Computer and Instructional Technologies | | Bachelor’s Education | Uludağ University, Necatibey Faculty of Education, Mathematics Teacher Education | | Master’s | Ohio State University | | Ph.D | Florida State University | | Institutions Worked at | Yıldız Technical University (Head of Department - Professor),Afyon Kocatepe University | | Overseas Academic Positions | Fernando Pessoa University (Portugal),Sultan Qaboos University (Oman),University of Turku (Finland),University of Freiburg (Germany) | | Public Office | Advisor to the Ministry of National Education, YEĞİTEK Group Leader | | Date of Martyrdom | 15 July 2016 | | Place of Martyrdom | Istanbul / Saraçhane | | Grave | Şehzadebaşı Camii Haziresi | ## Article Content ***Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank***, born in 1971 in Zonguldak, was an academic specializing in educational technologies. He was [martyred](/en/detay/martyr-volkan-pilavci-d0bdd/llms.txt) in Istanbul during the [July 15, 2016 coup attempt](/en/detay/july-15-coup-attempt-a2712/llms.txt). Varank pursued his education in Türkiye and the United States, served as an advisor at the Ministry of National Education, and held the position of department head at Yıldız Technical University. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2cLz43Eazo) *The Family of Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank, Who Lost His Life on July 15, 2016, Remembers Him (YouTube)* ### **Childhood and Education Years** [İlhan Varank](/en/detay/ilhan-varank-dc471/llms.txt) was born on January 1, 1971, in Zonguldak. His family originates from the Of district of Trabzon. The middle child in a family of three, Varank moved to Istanbul with his family at the age of one and a half. He completed his primary and secondary education at Yedikule Primary School and Şehremini High School respectively. He briefly received Quranic memorization training at the İsmailağa Quran Course but did not complete it. In 1990, he enrolled in the Mathematics Teacher Education Department of Necati Bey Faculty of Education at Uludağ University, where he completed his undergraduate studies. ### **Overseas Education and Academic Career** After completing his undergraduate education, he traveled to the United States on a scholarship from the Ministry of National Education. He earned a master’s degree in Computer and Instructional Technology Education at Ohio State University. During this period, he worked as an evaluator at the Ohio SchoolNet and SchoolNet Plus Educational Technology Institute. He later pursued his doctorate in Instructional Systems and Technologies at Florida State University. While completing his doctorate, he served as a performance consultant at the Center for Certified Public Management in Florida. ### **Return to Türkiye and Academic Appointments** In 2003, he returned to Türkiye and began his career as a research assistant at Afyon Kocatepe University. He was soon appointed to the position of assistant professor. In 2009, he became head of the Department of Computer and Instructional Technology Education. In 2010, he transferred to Yıldız Technical University, where he continued serving as department head. He was promoted to professor in 2015 and held this position until January 2016. He held visiting professorships at the University of Freiburg in Germany (2005), the University of Turku in Finland (2006), Sultan Qaboos University in Oman (2007), and Fernando Pessoa University in Portugal (2012). Between 2011 and 2013, he served as Advisor to the Minister and Head of the YEĞİTEK Group at the Ministry of National Education. ### **The Night of July 15, 2016** Upon learning of the coup attempt on the night of July 15, 2016, Varank immediately took to the streets. He first went to the front of the Istanbul Police Directorate on Vatan Caddesi. After learning of clashes elsewhere, he proceeded to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building (Saraçhane). While there, he was seriously wounded by gunfire from coup plotters targeting civilians, shouting “This is Çanakkale!” as he stood his ground. He attempted to calm those around him, saying “Do not be afraid.” Taken to a hospital by citizens, Varank was declared martyred there. ### **Memory and Grave** His funeral prayer, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was held at Fatih Camii, after which he was laid to rest in the Şehzadebaşı Camii cemetery. His name has been given to numerous schools and science centers across Türkiye to honor his memory. ### **Family and Personal Life** Married and the father of two children, İlhan Varank was the elder brother of Mustafa Varank, Member of Parliament for Bursa from the AK Party. ## Academic Sources and References 5. Anadolu Ajansı. “Cumhurbaşkanı Başdanışmanı Varank, 15 Temmuz Şehidi Ağabeyini Anlattı.” Accessed July 14, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/cumhurbaskani-basdanismani-varank-15-temmuz-sehidi-agabeyini-anlatti/860080. 6. Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. "Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank." Library and Documentation Directorate. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://kutuphane.mehmetakif.edu.tr/tr/prof-dr-ilhan-varank.php. 7. T.C. Presidency. “İlhan Varank.” 15temmuz.gov.tr. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/ilhan-varank. 8. TRT Haber. “15 Temmuz Şehidimiz İlhan Varank’ı Ailesi Anlattı.” YouTube video. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_2cLz43Eazo&t=11s. 9. Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi. "Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank – 15 Temmuz Şehidi." Bilgisayar ve Öğretim Teknolojileri Eğitimi Bölümü. Accessed July 14, 2025. https://bote.yildiz.edu.tr/prof-dr-ilhan-varank-15-temmuz-sehidi.