Dr. Ömer Özkan, Group Manager of Quality Management at SOCAR Türkiye, has become the first Turkish executive to be admitted to the International Academy for Quality (IAQ), one of the world's most prestigious organizations in the field of quality management. His membership certificate was formally presented during the IAQ General Assembly held in Orlando, Florida, USA, between May 20–22, 2026.

Membership in the IAQ is not open through individual application. Instead, it is granted exclusively by invitation to internationally recognized leaders who have made significant contributions to the advancement of quality science and practice. In this context, Dr. Ömer Özkan has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Turkish executive accepted into the Academy.

Widely regarded as one of the highest-level think tanks in the quality profession, IAQ membership is considered one of the most selective and prestigious recognitions within the global quality community.

Founded in 1966, the International Academy for Quality (IAQ) is an independent, non-profit organization that brings together global thought leaders in quality, innovation, sustainability, governance, and organizational excellence.

Admission to the Academy is based on international professional recognition, peer evaluation, and invitation. Individual applications are not accepted. Membership is reserved for distinguished leaders who have made exceptional contributions to quality management, management systems, and the advancement of global quality practices.

IAQ members include experts involved in the development of ISO standards, internationally renowned quality professors, former presidents of organizations such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ), the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), and the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), as well as quality thought leaders carrying forward the legacies of Deming and Juran, and senior quality executives from leading global organizations.

Among the pioneers who have shaped the Academy's development are legendary quality figures such as Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum, Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa, and Walter E. Masing.

Dr. Özkan officially received his membership certificate during the IAQ General Assembly held in Orlando, USA, from May 20–22, 2026.

During the IAQ General Assembly held in Orlando between May 20–23, 2026, Dr. Özkan represented Türkiye on the international quality stage through his presentation and active participation in the Academy's activities.

Dr. Özkan is also the recipient of the European Quality Leader (EQL) Award, presented by the European Organization for Quality (EOQ) in 2025. He became the first Turkish executive to receive this prestigious recognition.

His admission to IAQ is widely regarded as the result of a long-standing commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation initiatives at SOCAR Türkiye; pioneering management system implementations introduced for the first time in Türkiye; projects conducted with the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE), the Turkish Quality Association (KalDer), and international quality platforms; active involvement in professional associations; and extensive academic collaborations with universities.

Established in 1966, the International Academy for Quality (IAQ) is an independent, non-profit international academy providing global thought leadership in quality management.

Key characteristics of IAQ include:

•    Bringing together influential leaders in quality, innovation, sustainability, and governance from around the world.

•    Comprising international experts involved in ISO standards development, globally recognized quality professors, former leaders of organizations such as EFQM, ASQ, and JUSE, distinguished quality thinkers whose contributions have had a transformational impact on the profession, senior executives from leading global companies, and internationally recognized authorities in sustainability and innovation management.

•    Developing strategic perspectives and thought leadership regarding the future of quality management.

•    Serving as a global reference point for digital transformation, innovation management, and sustainability.

Within international quality circles, IAQ is frequently described as "the brain trust of the global quality movement."

Dr. Ömer Özkan holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as Master's and Doctoral degrees in Business Administration. He currently serves as Group Manager of Quality Management at SOCAR Türkiye and is widely recognized for his national and international contributions in quality management, innovation management, organizational excellence, and process improvement.

Throughout his career spanning the energy, automotive, manufacturing, and service sectors, Dr. Özkan has specialized in management systems, Lean Management, Kaizen, the EFQM Excellence Model, innovation management, process improvement, and organizational performance management. He continues to actively pursue academic research and is currently progressing through the Associate Professorship qualification process.

Some of his key achievements and professional roles include:

•    First Turkish executive to receive the European Quality Leader (EQL) Award from EOQ in 2025.

•    First Turkish executive admitted to the International Academy for Quality (IAQ).

•    Participant in "The Executive Program on Corporate Management" in Japan, where he conducted extensive studies on Lean Management, Kaizen, and 5S practices.

•    One of the pioneers of ISO 56001 Innovation Management System implementation in Türkiye.

•    Long-serving Lead Assessor in EFQM Excellence Award assessments.

•    Lecturer in Quality Management and Innovation Management at universities including Beykoz University, Yaşar University, and İzmir Bakırçay University.

•    Contributor to academia through international peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference proceedings.

•    Chair of the MTC 184 Circular Economy Committee.

•    Member of the MTC 139 Innovation Management Committee.

•    Holder of multiple IRCA-certified Lead Auditor qualifications.

•    UNIDO-UNDP Certified Energy Manager.

•    Lean Six Sigma Green Belt professional.

Dr. Özkan is also the author of the three-volume research series titled "Paradigm Changers," which examines transformation and change within the Turkish business world.