Fikret Yücel was born in 1928 in Köyceğiz (Muğla) and graduated in 1950 from Istanbul Technical University (ITU) from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering as an M.Sc. Electrical Engineer.
In 1965 he founded the PTT Research Laboratory, abbreviated as PTT ARLA, within the PTT General Directorate. While he managed the PTT ARLA, Fikret Yücel also gave lectures at Karadeniz Technical University, the Kayseri Academy of Engineering and Architecture, and the Kocaeli Academy of Engineering and Architecture. In addition, he simultaneously served as the head of the Electronic Communication Equipment Unit supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, or TUBITAK.
In 1983 Fikret Yücel was appointed the General Manager of TELETAS A.S. which constitutes the main core of PTT ARLA. He remained in this position until 1989. Between the years 1992 and 1994 he served on the Board of Directors of the same establishment. Among the founders of the Turkish Electronic Industrialists Associations, Fikret Yücel served as the first Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1989 to 1990. He reassumed the same position from 1995 to 2004.
Fikret Yücel was a member of the TUBITAK Board of Directors from 1991 to 1993.
He was a founding member of the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV), which was founded in 1991, and has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors since TTGV’s creation.
He has more than 40 published works including books, articles and bulletins. In 1982 he was awarded the Service Award by the Mustafa Parlar Foundation for his “service to the electronic industry and his contributions to the relationship between universities and industry”.
In 1987 the ITU Senate granted Fikret Yücel an “Honorary Doctorate” title for his “Very positive contributions and leadership in his development of the contemporary electronic communication industry in Turkey”
In 1994, Fikret Yücel was presented with the “National Service Award” by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers in response to his significant contributions towards the development of Turkish industry through his leadership in the promotion of new technologies.
In the year 1999, TUBITAK granted Fikret Yücel with a Service Award for his superior service in the establishment of a contemporary electronics and telecommunication industry based on research and development in Turkey, in his enhancement of the infrastructure of telecommunications to a contemporary level and in the development of institutions which play important roles in activities aimed at industrial technology development.
Ayse Yücel, Fikret Yücel’s beloved spouse, with whom he shared a lifetime of joy and serenity, passed away on February 14th, 2005. Fikret Yücel is the father of one child.
