To celebrate the 20th year of our university, we have prepared a set of four questions to ask faculty and administrative personnel who have been with us since the beginning, and to our first students. They all tell "the story of 20 years" from their own perspectives.

Going in alphabetical order, this week's interviewee for "The Story of 20 Years" is Kağan Kurşungöz.

Kağan Kurşungöz has been a member of the Sabancı University family for 21 years. He is one of the first 251 undergraduate students of 1999, when the university opened its doors. Kağan Kurşungöz graduated from the Computer Science and Engineering Program of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS) in 2004 and completed his Master's Degree in mathematics at the Pennsylvania State University in the United States in 2006 and his Doctorate at the same university in 2009. Kağan Kurşungöz has been a faculty member at the FENS since September 2011.  

Kağan Kurşungöz’s answers to our four questions are below. 

What was your initial memory / impression of when you met Sabancı University for the first time?

K.K: I have a photo in front of the rough construction of the current building of the Faculty of of Management Sciences (I think it is not somewhere I can find right now).  I remember the first year of the school whenever I look at it. 

What are the differences between yourself 20 years ago and yourself today, and how did Sabancı University contribute to that change?

K.K: I am doing the job I dreamed of 20 years ago. I am an academic, a mathematician. After studying in a completely different education system beyond its time, we have learned to listen to other ideas and value and evaluate them, be open to differences and innovations.  We have also had the opportunity to work one-on-one with the best teachers in their respective fields, and this, of course, has made a huge contribution to our education.  

What comes into your mind when you think of Sabancı University in 20 years? What are your dreams for Sabancı University for the next 20 years? What about yourself?

K.K: When I think about Sabancı University, I mostly think of the good times I spent both as a student and as a faculty member. For 20 years from now, my dream is that Sabancı University will continue to move forward, adhering to the principles that it was formed around and made a difference. 

Where and how would you be now if your paths hadn't crossed with Sabancı University?

K.K: I would still be an, doing research at another university. But I feel like I would not be in Istanbul. I would probably be in a smaller city in Turkey, and maybe abroad. 

To celebrate the 20th year of our university, we have prepared a set of four questions to ask faculty and administrative personnel who have been with us since the beginning, and to our first students. They all tell "the story of 20 years" from their own perspectives.

Going in alphabetical order, this week's interviewee for "The Story of 20 Years" is Hüveyda Başağa.

Hüveyda Başağa has been a member of the Sabancı University family since 1 November 1998. She has been working as a faculty member at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University for 22 years.

Hüveyda Başağa’s answers to our four questions are below. 

What was your initial memory / impression of when you met Sabancı University for the first time?

H.B: Our first meeting was at a search conference. In 1995, I was invited to a search conference attended by academics, business people, students, and researchers from many countries, and we discussed what kind of university would Sabancı University be. Participants were told to just imagine, without thinking about any positioning or restrictions. What kind of university would you like? We were asked what the university of the next century should be like. Participants addressed these questions in depth in their study groups, and at the end of 3 days, Sabancı University's philosophy was identified as ‘Creating and developing together’.  The concepts identified there formed the constitution of the University.

After the search conference, design committees were established and I participated in these committees. We, as founders, came together from time to time in Ankara and worked under the name of design studies. At these meetings, we discussed exhaustively and conducted various research and made preparations until the next meeting. Work in the design committees continued in this way. In these meetings, we identified the focus areas, faculties, diploma programs, and interdisciplinary structures of the programs of the university. Sabancı University opened graduate programs before its undergraduate programs, demonstrating how much it values research, and thus was able to attract very valuable faculty members.  

What are the differences between yourself 20 years ago and yourself today, and how did Sabancı University contribute to that change?

H.B: Academic life should be an environment that is always open to new discoveries, learning, and applying what has been learned. Sabancı University is exactly such a university. The Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, other faculties, faculty members, and researchers talk to each other and collaborate without any bias. Everyone's lab is open to the extend that the infrastructure allows, everyone is open to discussion, and supports each other. This is the focus of studies for undergraduate or graduate students. Projects are designed and implemented together with students. Sabancı University has taught the importance of a flexible structure and making management decisions by discussion. I would say that we, the first recruited faculty members, have really created and developed together. 

What comes into your mind when you think of Sabancı University in 20 years? What are your dreams for Sabancı University for the next 20 years? What about yourself?

H.B: Sabancı University has made a name as one of the reputable universities of our country and has found a distinguished place in the world. I consider myself lucky to have witnessed it. What comes to my mind when you say Sabancı University is a free and respected academic environment adopting the principle of learning and developing together.

20 years from now, I would like to see Sabancı University's achievements in education and research increase further and continue to establish its place in the world. I hope that the structure that exists at the moment will grow further, that the numbers will increase and diversify further, and that it will continue to be an example for other institutions in our country and region.

I have worked with great pleasure in academic life. I have trained many graduate and doctoral students. All my students have been very successful. Each of them has become a person who makes tremendous impact in business or academic life. It is invaluable to me to be in touch with them, to witness their success. I intend to continue in the same way from now on. 

Where and how would you be now if your paths hadn't crossed with Sabancı University?

H.B: Before I became a member of Sabancı University, I was working at Boğaziçi University, and I probably would be there now.

To celebrate the 20th year of our university, we have prepared a set of four questions to ask faculty and administrative personnel who have been with us since the beginning, and to our first students. They all tell "the story of 20 years" from their own perspectives.

Going in alphabetical order, this week's interviewee for "The Story of 20 Years" is Gündüz Ulusoy. 

Gündüz Ulusoy has been a member of the Sabancı University family since 1 September 1999. Gündüz Ulusoy, who has been a faculty member at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University for 21 years, has been one of our Emeritus faculty members since 4 July 2015. 

Gündüz Ulusoy’s answers to our four questions are below. 

What was your initial memory / impression of when you met Sabancı University for the first time?

G.U: I met Sabancı University at a Search Conference for the Faculty of Engineering. It was back in 1998. I do not remember the month and day. We met on a Friday evening at Yeşilköy Çınar Hotel. I remember Tosun Terzioğlu, Hüsnü Paçacıoğlu, Ahmet Evin, Muhittin Oral, Kemal İnan, Banu Onaral, and Nesim Erkip being there. I had dinner with Mrs. Güler Sabancı on Friday evening and we had an intense brainstorming session for the following two days. Later, I delivered a two-page information note on Production Systems Engineering to Mr. Terzioğlu.

A collegial environment formed in a short time with a small community and I was honestly impressed with open and sincere behaviors, the open approach to innovation, the professionalism in conversations, the scope and structure of the Faculty, and the position of the Faculty in an international context. Later, when Mr. Terzioğlu proposed to me a faculty member position to establish the Production Systems Engineering Program, all I asked was whether the Sabancı family had an impact on academic recruitment and promotions. He said, “No” without hesitation. It was enough for me to make my decision. Later, this issue was given a broader framework with the Declaration of Academic Freedoms. 

What are the differences between yourself 20 years ago and yourself today, and how did Sabancı University contribute to that change?

G.U: Collegial environment provided by Sabancı University, the emphasis on academic freedom, ups, downs, successes, failures, meeting new colleagues, seeking the better together, the pleasure and responsibility of creating the foundations of a young and innovative structure... 20 years full of these... Frankly, to sum up, it has been a pleasant 20 years. I became Emeritus in 2015. Of course, the scope and weight of my work has changed, but I always continue to approach my work from an innovative perspective, try new things, try to do what I do in the best way possible. 

What comes into your mind when you think of Sabancı University in 20 years? What are your dreams for Sabancı University for the next 20 years? What about yourself?

G.U: What comes to my mind when you say Sabancı University is that it is an institution that is always ambitious in an international context, has determined the parameters of development correctly and is constantly striving for development in this direction, and supports it with innovative approaches and can achieve it without compromising academic freedom. I think my dream 20 years from now is a Sabancı University that lives on without losing these basic features under the circumstances of that period. 

As for myself, I want to publish an English textbook and prepare the Turkish version as well. 

Where and how would you be now if your paths hadn't crossed with Sabancı University?

G.U: If I had not joined Sabancı University, I would have continued at Boğaziçi University. The university environment is my living environment. It always has been that way, and it always will be.

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences is pleased to announce the Applications of Engineering in Medicine and Biology seminar series organized by Professor Mehmet Toner, Sabanci University Distinguished Research Fellow.

Presented by the leading scientists who are world-renowned experts in their fields, the Applications of Engineering in Medicine and Biology seminars will provide a recent overview on the most innovative and effective applications of basic science and engineering in research areas such as regenerative medicine, implants, cancer diagnosis, and immunology.   

The Applications of Engineering in Medicine and Biology seminar series 2020-2021 Fall Program is as below: 

7 October 2020 – BAŞAK UYGUN – Engineering Organ Substitutes for Transplantation

21 October 2020 – JOHN BISCHOF – Nanowarming for Regenerative Medicine

4 November 2020 – GUILLERMO AGUILAR – From Laser Dermatology to the Development of a Transparent Cranial Implant

18 November 2020 – EBRU ORAL – Engineering Joint Implants for in vivo Longevity and Antibacterial Treatment

2 December 2020 – MEHMET TONER – “EXTREME MICROFLUIDICS” Label-Free Sorting of Extremely Rare Circulating Tumor Cells and Clusters

16 December 2020 – DANIEL IRIMIA – Chain Reactions in Immunology

Please click here to register The Applications of Engineering in Medicine and Biology seminar series.

To celebrate the 20th year of our university, we have prepared a set of four questions to ask faculty and administrative personnel who have been with us since the beginning, and to our first students. They all tell "the story of 20 years" from their own perspectives.

Going in alphabetical order, this week's interviewee for "The Story of 20 Years" is Gülseren Caşın.

Gülseren Caşın has been a member of the Sabancı University family since 1 October 1999. Gulseren Caşin, who has been working at Sabancı University for 21 years, served as an administrative officer in the Publishing House, Corporate Development, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Institutional Communications units. Since 2011, she has been the Certified Training Programs Officer first in the Rectorate unit and then in the Business Development Unit. 

Gülseren Caşın’s answers to our four questions are below. 

What was your initial memory / impression of when you met Sabancı University for the first time?

G.C: The first time I met Sabancı University was in July 1999 in the building in Karaköy with the late Hosni Paçacıoğlu, the Secretary General of the university. I was very excited that Mr. Paçacıoğlu shared his dreams about the university and told me what they were going to do at the newly established Publishing House. Particularly the idea of “Creating and Developing Together” had a big impact on me. He told me that the position of the Administrative Officer of the Publishing House was open and that if I accepted, I could have the position, and we agreed on the general framework. He said that the office where I would work was going to be in the building in Karaköy; however, the offices were full, but I could when they were emptied and available. Since the campus was still under construction at the time, the administrative staff worked in the Sabancı Center and the faculty members worked in the building in Karaköy. Although the move to the completed buildings on campus had started, I did not hear from anyone I was to start work. When we met again with Mr. Paçacıoğlu on a boat trip including employees and their families, I was very surprised to hear him say, “Why haven't you started working yet?” When I said, “No one called me, Mr. Paçacıoğlu,” he replied with “Then, come and start working tomorrow,” which made me very happy. I started working in Karaköy the next day (1 October 1999) without knowing my salary. Later I found out about my salary, of course… 

What are the differences between yourself 20 years ago and yourself today, and how did Sabancı University contribute to that change?

G.C: I have never felt tired for 21 years arriving at the campus of Sabancı University every morning with joy and excitement, with the dreams of taking our activities further that year and implementing projects to bring new young people into our school. Sabancı University has given me the opportunity to love young students, to conduct joint projects with them, to implement the philosophy of “Creating and Developing Together” as a team. 

Under the academic leadership of Prof. Dr. Nihat Berker, our former Rector, we have set sail to a new educational adventure with the Summer High School project in 2011, a first in Turkey. Each summer, we have found the opportunity to provide high school students from various schools of Turkey and the world with the opportunity to attend classes prepared by the distinguished faculty members of Sabancı University for two weeks, to allow them to experience university life, and to share their friendships and joy. In addition to equipping these beautiful and bright young people with academic knowledge which will make a great contribution to their future lives, I have always been extremely touched by the tears that they would shed during their departure from the campus. 

To date, more than 7,000 students have attended our summer high schools. The fact that some of these students became students of Sabancı University in the following years and that the income from Summer High Schools was transferred to the Sabancı Scholarship Fund each year, and our contribution to educational lives of our students have been the inspiration and the most important motivator in my work. 

However, perhaps the most beautiful part of it is that our assistant students, who we work with every year in summer high schools, from time to time share their successful careers around the world with me after graduation, which is the second great joy that Sabancı University has given me.  

What comes into your mind when you think of Sabancı University in 20 years? What are your dreams for Sabancı University for the next 20 years? What about yourself?

G.C: To see Sabancı University as the first university from Turkey to be awarded the Nobel Prize in this long and meaningful period of 20 years. My children did not graduate from Sabancı University, but they grew up on the Sabancı University campus with the culture of the Sabancı University family, which is the most important thing to me. My dream is for my little granddaughter Mina to study at Sabancı University and to watch her graduation with our family from the front of the stairs of the amphitheater and applaud. 

Where and how would you be now if your paths hadn't crossed with Sabancı University?

G.C: I think I would still have crossed paths with Sabancı University somehow. I believe that working at Sabancı University is a privilege. This is a huge family home. I have always been and always will be proud and honored to work at Sabancı University.

As we complete our 20^th year on our path we started in 1999 with the objective of becoming a world university, we as Sabancı University, are excited to confer our first Honorary Doctorate Degree.

Following our Honorary Doctorate Ceremony on Monday, October 26th, 2020, we will organize a panel discussion entitled Sabancı University: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow moderated by Fuat Keyman, Sabancı University Vice President, with the participation of Sabancı University Founding Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı and Sabancı University President Yusuf Leblebici.

We would be delighted if you could join us online for the panel discussion, to be broadcast live on the official Sabancı University Youtube channel.

NCTU & SU Double PhD program - Microelectronics Workshop, promotes joint research activities within the scope of the cooperation in the field of electronic engineering signed between Sabancı University and NCTU and encourages the joint doctoral degree program. The workshop will be held on 23 October, 2020 at 9.00 am.

The opening remarks of the workshop will be made by Sabancı University President Yusuf Leblebici, FENS Dean Erkay Savaş and Senior Vice President of NCTU/Dean of ICST Edward Yi Chang.

During the workshop, the research groups in Sabancı University and NCTU will share their studies on electronics such as microelectronics, integrated circuit technologies, ferroelectric, RF and mm-wave circuits, cryptographic hardware, MEMS and sensors. 

All Faculty members and PhD, masters and senior students who are interested in the joint doctoral program of the electronics department are invited to the program.

Please click to reach the program of NCTU & SU Double PhD program - Microelectronics Workshop and to REGISTER.

For further information on double PhD program, please visit https://ee.sabanciuniv.edu/en/education/double-phd.

The project where Füsun Ülengin, Faculty Member at Sabancı Business School, is a researcher was found eligible to receive support under TÜBİTAK 1001. Füsun Ülengin’s project to be supported under TÜBİTAK 1001 Support Program for Scientific and Technological Research Projects, which aims to support projects in compliance with the scientific rules to produce new knowledge, make scientific comments or provide solutions to technological problems, is titled “Investigating The Dynamic Effects of Marketing and Consumer-oriented Factors on The Performance of Passenger Car Companies using Analytical Models”.

The subject of the project is based on the relationship between the level of marketing activities and the financial indicators and market performance indicators of companies. The overall objective of the project can be summarized as an investigation of the relationship between the level of marketing activities and the financial indicators and market performance indicators of companies based on the marketing efficiency chain approach in marketing performance evaluation.

This project will be carried out for the above-mentioned purpose in the automotive sector, which is one of the most neglected sectors in studies. The researchers aim to collect quarterly data between 2010-2018 relating to companies representing approximately 70% of total sales in the C segment, which has the highest sales figures in the passenger car sub-sector, from institutions and companies in the sector by brand/model and achieve the mentioned overall objective by analyzing the long-term effect on the financial and market performance indicators. In addition to contributing to the strategic plans of automotive companies, the results of the project will also provide answers to important research questions in the strategic marketing and strategic management literature.

The project, which is planned to be completed in eighteen months, will be carried out by three faculty members from Sabancı University, Kadir Has University, and Istanbul Technical University.

SU Gender is organizing an international webinar series on sexual harassment, gender based violence, diversity and inclusion within and outside the university. 

SU Gender is organizing an international webinar series on sexual harassment, gender based violence, diversity and inclusion within and outside the university. The webinars focuses on experiences sharing among experts, researchers, and activists from different universities, research centers and NGOs, and learning from their expertise.

The sixth of the webinar series will take place on October, 21 and Anikó Gregor from ELTE University, Budapest will deliver a presentation titled "Turning Research into Practice: Examining and Policy-making on Sexism and Gender-based Violence at a Hungarian University."  

You are welcome to join our webinar by registering via the link below.

October 21, Wednesday 17.30, UTC+3

Please click here for registration.

The Applications of Engineering in Medicine and Biology seminar series continues with John Bischof’s "Nanowarming for Regenerative Medicine" seminar on October 21, 2020.  

The Applications of Engineering in Medicine and Biology seminar series 2020-2021 Fall Program is as below: 

7 October 2020 – BAŞAK UYGUN – Engineering Organ Substitutes for Transplantation

21 October 2020 – JOHN BISCHOF – Nanowarming for Regenerative Medicine

4 November 2020 – GUILLERMO AGUILAR – From Laser Dermatology to the Development of a Transparent Cranial Implant

18 November 2020 – EBRU ORAL – Engineering Joint Implants for in vivo Longevity and Antibacterial Treatment

2 December 2020 – MEHMET TONER – “EXTREME MICROFLUIDICS” Label-Free Sorting of Extremely Rare Circulating Tumor Cells and Clusters

16 December 2020 – DANIEL IRIMIA – Chain Reactions in Immunology

Please click here to register The Applications of Engineering in Medicine and Biology seminar series.

John Bischof 

John Bischof works in the area of thermal bioengineering with a focus on biopreservation, thermal therapy, and nanomedicine. His awards include the ASME Van Mow Medal and Fellowships in societies including Cryobiology, JSPS, ASME, and AIMBE. He has served as the President of the Society for Cryobiology and Chair of the Bioengineering Division of the ASME. Bischof obtained a B.S. in Bioengineering from U.C. Berkeley (UCB) in 1987, an M.S. from UCB and U.C. San Francisco in 1989, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UCB in 1992. After a Post-doctoral Fellowship at Harvard in the Center for Engineering in Medicine, he joined the University of Minnesota in 1993. John Bischof is now a Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Kuhrmeyer Chair in the Departments of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, and the Medtronic-Bakken Endowed Chair and Director of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine at the University of Minnesota. John Bischof is also Director of the NSF Engineering Research Center Advanced Technologies for Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio), which launched on September 1, 2020.