Brussels, Feb 14, 2026 — Deniz Dag’s path to higher education is anything but typical. The Turkish-born professional, now based in Brussels, has returned to university life nearly two decades after starting his career — balancing a full-time corporate role, family responsibilities, and a Master’s degree in Applied Computer Science.
Originally from Uşak near Izmir, Dag graduated as a mechanical engineer in 2000 before joining the automotive sector. After military service, he began working with Toyota and eventually moved to Belgium in 2007 to join Toyota Motor Europe headquarters in Zaventem. The relocation marked a major cultural shift, from Turkey’s sunny climate to Belgium’s rainy weather — and from familiarity to a new European lifestyle.
Now a first-year Master’s student at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Dag is revisiting academia with a purpose. His current role focuses on digital transformation and AI-driven production systems, which inspired him to deepen his scientific understanding through formal education.
“I wanted a programme that was both academically strong and practical,” Dag said, explaining that VUB’s English-taught Applied Computer Science Master’s matched his interests perfectly. He is completing the programme over three years while maintaining his full-time job — with support from his employer.
The transition back to university life has been demanding. Dag, who met his Lithuanian wife in Belgium and now has two daughters aged eight and ten, admits his schedule is packed.
“Combining a full-time job, parenthood and a Master’s means living against the clock,” he said. “We often do homework together — the kids with their schoolwork and me with my assignments.”
Despite initial nerves about being older than most classmates, Dag says those concerns disappeared quickly. He credits the university’s open and multicultural environment for making him feel welcome.
source:Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
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