He completed his undergraduate degree at Istanbul University, Department of Political Science and International Relations (2016). He completed his master's degree at Marmara University, Department of International Political Economy, with his thesis titled "Political Economy Analysis of the Development Plans of South Korea and Turkey" (2018). He continued his doctoral education at Istanbul University Institute of Social Sciences with his doctoral thesis (2024) titled "Chinese Investments in Africa: Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya (2005-2019)". Working in the field of economic research at SETA, Istikbal's academic interests include economic development, political economy, energy security, international financial institutions, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.