“Academic Year Closing Lecture” was given by Nebahat Akkoç, the founder of KAMER. Nebahat Akkoç shared her life experiences with the graduation class during her lecture “The Life I Rediscovered” at SGM on Friday, June 17, 2016.

Nebahat Akkoç started her speech by explaining how her relationship with Sabancı University started with Tosun Terzioğlu, the late Founding President of Sabancı University. Speaking of her personal experiences and KAMER, “Representing yourself is a hard thing, but I have to. My life is a part of Turkey's recent history” said Akkoç. Nebahat Akkoç touched on origins and members of her family and explained how difficult it is for people to confront their past.

Akkoç told the graduation class her life story, and gave information about foundation of KAMER and KAMER’s efforts to date. Noting KAMER is active in 44 provinces, she expressed their ideals to ensure a pluralistic, democratic society. Nebahat Akkoç mentioned that they frequently feel the need to emphasize their independent structure. She said thinking universal but acting local is what distinguishes them from other women’s organizations.

Nebahat Akkoç said the following about what she learned before and after KAMER:
•    Violence against women matters to all women.
•    Violence against women is a systematical problem started and maintained to push women into the background.
•    Only 8 percent of the real estate in the world is owned by women.
•    As a consequence, women are excluded from estates.

Based on her learnings, Nebahat Akkoç continued with the actions that need to be taken to eliminate violence against women:
•    Women must realize their gender roles.
•    Women should be provided support to avoid violence.
•    Children, especially in their early childhood, should be raised as individuals.
•    We must organize activities that seek to change the mindset in the society.

Emphasizing that gender equality should be mainstreamed in all spheres, Akkoç underscored the importance of identification of and settling the ancillary problems that boost violence. Nebahat Akkoç underlined that Turkey is a vast land with local inequalities all around, explaining practices enacted by the central authority are not implemented everywhere. As a solution, Akkoç suggested local endeavors, studies and local policies matching the results thereof should be discussed and created with local politicians.

“Even if you live in hard conditions, never sink into despair or pessimism. For a well-educated, awake generation that wants to settle their problems amicably is coming,” said Nebahat Akkoç, concluding her speech.

Then Akkoç joined the graduates for the traditional laying of the alumni brick.

About Nebahat Akkoç:She was born in Bingöl in 1955. She received primary education in Hazro and Silvan districts of Diyarbakır. After primary school, she went to “Mardin Girls Teaching Elementary School” as a boarder. As part of the East-West Amalgamation move in 1970, she had to finish her teaching education in “Manisa Mardin Girls Teaching Elementary School”.  She completed an associate degree program in Eskişehir Anadolu University while teaching. She taught several schools in villages, districts and city centrum of Diyarbakır for 22 years.

She became an activist in TÖB-DER (Teachers Association Foundation of Turkey) that was not closed until 1980. She was the chairperson of Diyarbakır branch of EĞİTİM-SEN (Education and Science Workers’ Union) between 1990-1993. Afterwards, she started working as a General Member of the Board of Human Rights Association (İHD). She functioned as the Regional Representative during her service. In 1994, she joined Democratic People’s Party (DEP) as a substitute member for four months.

She began actively engaging in women’s studies in 1996. She founded KAMER (Women’s Center) in 1997. Initially founded as a company, KAMER was restructured as KAMER Foundation in 2005 to generalize its endeavors. She founded various centers to fight for women’s human rights in 23 provinces of South-Eastern and Eastern Anatolia.
She has been carrying out “Every Woman Deserves An Opportunity” program since 2005. This program aims to provide every woman from all provinces, districts and villages with an opportunity to escape from violence by recognizing women’s traditional roles to make a difference.

Published:   
“Diyarbakır KAMER’ in Kuruluş Hikâyesi ve Yürüttüğü Çalışmalar” 90’larda Türkiye’de Feminizm. İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları, 2002.
Grup Çalışması İçin El Kitabı KAMER, 2003
Alışmayacağız! –  KAMER, 2003
“Keşke Dememek İçin –  KAMER, 2004.
Suçlu Kim? KAMER, 2005.
İstersek Biter KAMER 2006 Fark Ederek Çoğalmak İçin (Şiddet Çalışma Yöntemleri el kitabı)
Ceren Belge’s biographical interview book “OHAL’DE FEMİNİZM Nebahat Akkoç Anlatıyor” was published by Ayizi Publishing.   

Awards:   
2015 - Anne Klein Women’s Award – H. Böll Foundation
2008 - Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Ernst & Young)
2007 - Human Rights Award – Social Democracy Foundation (SODEV)
2006 - Legion d’ Honneur Medal
2005 - Mevlana Peace Award
2004 - The Ginetta Sagan Award – Amnesty International
2003 - “Heroes of Our Time” Award – Time Magazine
2002 - Achievement Prize – Rotary Club
2002 - Achievement Prize – Lions Club
2000 - Ashoka Fellowship

IICEC 7th International Energy and Climate Forum was held

The 7th International Energy and Climate Forum of Sabancı University’s International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) was held.

Sabancı University Founding Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı: “Transforming the energy sector is essential for addressing the climate challenge”

Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Honorary President of IICEC Steering Committee Dr. Fatih Birol: “Decline in investments complicates the future”

7th International Energy and Climate Forum of Sabancı University’s International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) was held in Istanbul.

Speaking in the opening of the Forum, Sabancı University Founding Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı said:

- “We have to work together to contribute in efforts to lower emissions while supporting continued economic growth and expanding modern energy access.”

- “Energy efficiency is key as a climate change action as well as for sustainable development.”

- “According to IEA, reducing emissions by 40% to limit global temperature increase to less than 2 degrees centigrade would potentially come from energy efficiency.”

- “Turkey has a large untapped potential for energy efficiency along the supply-demand chain, starting from generation through transmission and distribution to final consumption.”

 - “We need to consider means to promote further liberalization of energy markets, which is also key to sustainable growth of the overall economy.”  

- “Turkey needs to utilize its local energy resources, including lignite to alleviate the current account deficit while ensuring energy security in its growing energy market and economy.”

Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Honorary President of IICEC Steering Committee Dr. Fatih Birol:

- “We are on a transition to a cleaner energy future. Energy and technologies are becoming cost-effective.”

- “Oil investments declined two years in a row, which happened for the first time.”

- “Low prices bring reductions in investments. This will complicate the future.”

- “According to our analyses, wind power can be generated one-third cheaper. And the cost of solar power is now 80 percent reduced.

The 7th International Energy and Climate Forum of Sabancı University’s Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) was held in Istanbul.

The Forum began with the participation of executives of international energy organizations, including: Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Energy Dr Matar Al Neyadi, Special Advisor of the Prime Minister of Japan Mr Eiichi Hasegawa, Ambassador of European Union to Turkey Mr Hansjoerg Haber, Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Sergiy Korsunskiy, MP of Konya and President of the Industry, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Committee Ziya Altunyaldız, IEA Executive Director and IICEC Honorary President Dr Fatih Birol.

IICEC is a distinguished platform

“We are very much pleased to see that IICEC’s role as a globally recognized center, where global energy connects, is growing as a distinguished platform to exchange ideas for a better energy future” said Sabancı University Founding Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı during her opening speech to the Forum.

Emphasizing that the IEA has adopted a new and stronger vision under the leadership of Dr Birol, who empowers strategies for an IEA that embraces emerging countries of the world and pursues a global energy system which is more secure, efficient and sustainable, Güler Sabancı expressed her sincere thanks to the speakers who shared their insights on energy security, economic development, competitiveness and environmental awareness.

Nothing less than a historic milestone

Güler Sabancı underlined that IICEC would continue to contribute to energy and climate related topics with future research studies, and added:

“The global energy system continues to pose very diverse challenges as well as significant opportunities. These challenges and opportunities largely evolve in today’s dynamic world with a variety of global trends such as urbanization, digitalization, connectedness and electrification posing new dimensions as to how the energy sector of today will transform. In this very dynamic energy landscape, last year’s historical agreement in Paris COP21 meeting perhaps is the most critical development in shaping the future of the global energy supply and demand.”

Speaking of the international agreement negotiated in Paris and the direction set for combating climate change within the next decade and beyond, Sabancı said: “Energy was at the center of the discussion. The Paris Agreement is nothing less than a historic milestone for the global energy sector. The whole world is united in its commitment to the global goals embodied in the Paris Agreement as well as to the means by which to achieve them.”

Transforming the energy sector is essential for addressing the climate challenge

Underlining that energy production and use account for two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions, Güler Sabancı said “transforming the energy sector is essential for addressing the climate challenge”.

“The latest IEA statistics demonstrate decoupling of economic growth from carbon emissions in member countries” noted Güler Sabancı, and added: “According to new data, global renewable generation capacity increased by 152 gigawatts or 8.3% during 2015, which is the highest annual growth rate on record, and about twice the total installed capacity of Turkey. We witness the rise of distributed generation, smart grids and storage technologies that are rapidly changing the way energy is supplied and consumed. Oil majors are increasingly moving into clean energy markets. Japan now has more electric charging points than petrol stations.”

Investments in energy efficiency should be accelerated

Güler Sabancı emphasized that energy efficiency regulations currently cover 27% of the world’s energy consumption, reminding it was 12% back in 2005, and continued her words:

“Recently, we heard a lot of exciting news highlighting the development of energy industry towards a more sustainable future. The Paris Agreement will no doubt speed up the transformation of the energy sector by accelerating investments in cleaner technologies and energy efficiency. Yet, driving even stronger action in all areas to lower emissions will require greater engagement and effort by all stakeholders. We can work together to contribute in efforts to achieve a lower emissions pathway while supporting continued economic growth and expanding modern energy access. I strongly believe that there is much to improve with regard to energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is key as a climate change action, as well as for sustainable development.”

We need to work harder on global solutions

Noting approximately 40% of the emission reduction required by 2050 to limit global temperature increase to less than 2 degrees centigrade would potentially come from energy efficiency, according to an analysis by the International Energy Agency, Sabancı mentioned that bridging the energy efficiency gap requires financial institutions to channel more capital flows for energy efficiency.

“Policy-makers also have to address barriers and stimulate energy efficiency intestment through supportive energy policy frameworks” said Güler Sabancı, and added: “We need to work harder on solutions to improve energy efficiency along the energy supply-demand chain globally.”

Wind and solar power generations capacities are to be increased

Explaining that the Paris Agreement is an important development for Turkey as well, Güler Sabancı said:

“Turkey declared her aim to contribute to the collective efforts to combat climate change by submitting her Nationally Determined Contribution within the context of the Paris Agreement as up to 21% reduction in emissions from the Business-As-Usual level by 2030.

The Nationally Determined Contribution, the so-called NDC, includes both qualitative and quantitative targets in energy production and use. Wind and solar power generation capacities are set to increase significantly until 2030. Tapping the full hydroelectric potential and introduction of nuclear energy into the power generation mix are among the NDC targets. NDC encompasses the target of reducing electricity transmission and distribution losses that is critical for an improved energy balance for Turkey. And the last but not the least, enhanced energy efficiency across different sectors such as industry and buildings is an important pillar of the NDC.”

Turkey has a large untapped potential for efficiency

Mentioning that Turkey has a large untapped potential for energy efficiency along the supply-demand chain, starting from generation through transmission and distribution to final consumption and speaking of the necessity to intensify efforts towards utilization of this very important potential in a cost-effective way, Güler Sabancı continued her words:

“I certainly believe that the major gains in our emissions reduction pathway will come from energy efficiency, if we manage to act timely and effectively. I should also give you heads up that current low oil, gas and coal prices may well complicate the transition to a cleaner energy future. At this juncture, I would like to pinpoint that liberalized electricity and natural gas markets, without any type of subsidies, are essential for improving energy efficiency. Energy subsidies in Turkey, as also experienced in some other countries, work against energy efficiency. Therefore, we need to consider means to promote further liberalization of energy markets, which is also key to sustainable growth of the overall economy. Turkey, as a large energy importer, needs to utilize its local energy resources, including lignite to alleviate the current account deficit while ensuring energy security in its growing energy market and economy. Therefore, utilization of local resources in sustainable manner, by use of best available technologies and prioritizing health, safety and environment objectives need to be considered as an integral part of a well-balanced and holistic approach to energy and climate objectives.”

Demand-side participation into the energy markets is required

Commenting on energy technologies and the need for new business models, Güler Sabancı concluded her words:

“Energy landscape is in a rapid change globally. Energy technologies are emerging and being deployed in an impressive fashion. In this very context, I believe that demand management, demand side participation into the energy markets, wider use of distributed generation options, smart grid development and electricity storage solutions will all play an important role in transformation of the Turkish energy sector. Turkey, with its dynamic population, effective energy management and enthusiastic energy actors is well positioned to play a leading role in wider energy transformation. We, as policy makers, regulators, industry, market players and academia, can intensify our cooperation and efforts to bring this vision into a reality.”

Speaking after Sabancı, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and Honorary President of IICEC Steering Committee Dr Fatih Birol discussed critical energy transformation in the energy market, especially green energy, explaining “We are on a transition to a cleaner energy future. Energy and technologies are becoming cost-effective.”

Birol said, “The energy sector provides employment to a lot of people. In today’s world, no country is a fortress in terms of energy. Developments in the Middle East or USA or Japan have global ramifications. Changes in oil prices will in turn affect coal prices. New technologies will hae an impact on everyone”, explaining that the majority of the transformation in the energy business concerns the use of new technologies and that changes in energy markets are globally effective.

Noting all energy resources are cheaper, Dr Fatih Birol underscored the outcomes of Paris COP21 meetings. “We need energy to make the world comfortable. 20 percent of the world population still does not have access to electricity. Energy is the primary component of economic development and life. According to the growth estimates, energy demand in rich countries slowed down, even regressed. Emerging countries are the source of the growth” said Birol.

“Oil price is fixed at 52 dollars, I do not expect any more increase”

Fatih Birol said, “Investments have been on the decline since last year. We had never witnessed a decline in oil investments two years in a row. Typically, an increase would follow a one-year decline. This year breaks the mold”, emphasizing the investment decline in oil markets.

Explaining oil price was 30 dollars in January, and is now 52 dollars, Fatih Birol said that decline in investments complicates the market, despite no expectations for a further increase.

Speaking of the developments in coal and natural gas markets, Birol mentioned that shale gas has superseded coal.

Birol underscored that the expected growth in LNG market is very promising news for top gas-importing countries such as Japan, Turkey and South Korea.

Elaborating his views on international markets, Fatih Birol said:

“Costs of renewable resources are slowly but surely decreasing. For example, wind power can now be generated one-third cheaper, according to our analyses. And today, cost of solar power is now 80 percent reduced. As the equipment costs go lower, renewable energy becomes a substitute for gas, coal and other resources. Energy efficiency and renewable resources are critical. We may also take advantage of nuclear power as it is carbon-free. Cleaner coal power plants would come in useful. The Paris Conference was a great response, but implementation is all that matters. There are also promising breakthroughs in wind and solar power. Unfortunately, we are far from achieving the targets set in Paris for cleaner technologies, considering the energy landscape. Oil price has increased by 25 dollars in the last six months. It is safe to assume that the price will remain still for a while.

We believe that gas and coal prices will be under pressure for a couple of years. Investments are on the decline, which will potentially be a very important challenge for oil and gas industry. COP21 has fulfilled its purpose and promoted cleaner technologies. We have no time to spare before moving to renewable energy technologies. When it comes to energy, no country is self-sustained. We have to exchange ideas and cooperate. International cooperation in energy has never been this important."

On Saturday, June 18th, 2016, Sabancı University will hold the commencement ceremony for its 17th graduate and 14th undergraduate classes.

The commencement ceremony will be attended by Founding Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı, Members of Board of Trustees and President A. Nihat Berker, who will join our graduates, parents and faculty members for celebration.

Awards in honor of the late Sabancı University Faculty Member Gürsel Sönmez, who passed away in 2006, will be presented at the ceremony.

The hat toss will be followed by live music entertainment by Ayhan Sicimoğlu.

Posts sent to #sumezuniyet16 hastag on Twitter and Instagram will be projected onto screens during the cocktail on the SGM patio. Graduation stories will be posted on Sabancı University’s Snapchat account (Sabanciuniv). Graduates will have the chance to have souvenir photos taken in the Kutumubu photo booth.

The ceremony may be viewed live on commencement.sabanciuniv.edu specifically for this occasion.

Dress code at the Rehearsal, Closing Lecture and Commencement Ceremony is gown for faculty members, and cap and gown for prospective graduates.

Closing lecture by Nebahat Akkoç

Graduation events include the “Academic Year Closing Lecture,” given to the commencement class, their parents and all Sabancı University members, one day before the ceremony. This year’s lecture will take place on Friday, June 17, 2016 and the lecturer will be Nebahat Akkoç, the founder of KAMER.

After the lecture, Akkoç will join the graduates for the traditional laying of the alumni brick.

About Nebahat Akkoç:
She was born in Bingöl in 1955. She received primary education in Hazro and Silvan districts of Diyarbakır. After primary school, she went to “Mardin Girls Teaching Elementary School” as a boarder. As part of the East-West Amalgamation move in 1970, she had to finish her teaching education in “Manisa Mardin Girls Teaching Elementary School”.  She completed an associate degree program in Eskişehir Anadolu University while teaching. She taught several schools in villages, districts and city centrum of Diyarbakır for 22 years.

She became an activist in TÖB-DER (Teachers Association Foundation of Turkey), an organization that was active until 1980.
She was the chairperson of Diyarbakır branch of EĞİTİM-SEN (Education and Science Workers’ Union) between 1990-1993. Afterwards, she became a member of the General Executive Board of the Human Rights Association (İHD). She functioned as the Regional Representative during her service. In 1994, she joined Democratic People’s Party (DEP) as a substitute member for four months.

She began actively engaging in women’s studies in 1996. She founded KAMER (Women’s Center) in 1997. Initially founded as a company, KAMER was restructured as KAMER Foundation in 2005 to generalize its endeavors. She founded various centers to fight for women’s human rights in 23 provinces of South-Eastern and Eastern Anatolia.
She has been carrying out the “Every Woman Deserves An Opportunity” program since 2005. This program aims to provide every woman from all provinces, districts and villages with an opportunity to escape from violence by recognizing women’s traditional roles to make a difference.

Published:   
“Diyarbakır KAMER’ in Kuruluş Hikâyesi ve Yürüttüğü Çalışmalar” 90’larda Türkiye’de Feminizm. Istanbul: İletişim Publishing, 2002.
Grup Çalışması İçin El Kitabı KAMER, 2003
Alışmayacağız! –  KAMER, 2003
“Keşke Dememek İçin –  KAMER, 2004.
Suçlu Kim? KAMER, 2005.
İstersek Biter KAMER 2006 Fark Ederek Çoğalmak İçin (Şiddet Çalışma Yöntemleri el kitabı)

Awards:   
2015 - Anne Klein Women’s Award – H. Böll Foundation
2008 - Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Ernst & Young)
2007 - Human Rights Award – Social Democracy Foundation (SODEV)
2006 - Legion d’ Honneur Medal
2005 - Mevlana Peace Award
2004 - The Ginetta Sagan Award – Amnesty International
2003 - “Heroes of Our Time” Award – Time Magazine
2002 - Success Price – Rotary Club
2002 - Success Price – Lions Club
2000 - Ashoka Fellowship

Ceren Belge’s biographical interview book “OHAL’DE FEMİNİZM Nebahat Akkoç Anlatıyor” was published by Ayizi Publishing.

Events Schedule:

Friday, June 17, 2016
09:15-10:30        Registration for the commencement rehearsal and march formation (Behind the Amphitheater)
10:30-11:45        Ceremony Rehearsal (Amphitheater)
11:45-12:30        Graduation Class Group Photo Shoot (Amphitheater)
12:00-13:00        Lunch with 2015-2016 graduates
13:00-14:00        Closing Lecture of the 2014-2015 Academic Year – Lecturer: Nebahat Akkoç (SGM)
14:00-14:15        Laying of the Alumni Brick (Alumni Pier)
16:00-17:00        Treats (SGM)

Saturday, June 18, 2016
18:30-19:00     Reception
19:00-21:15     Ceremony (Amfitiyatro)
21:30-23:00     Treats (SGM-Behind the Sports Center)

For the details of the programme please visit commencement web site: commencement.sabanciuniv.edu/en

The EMVA Young Professional Award 2016 goes to Electronics Engineering 2008 graduate Tolga Birdal, for his work “Reconstruction via Detection: Efficient and Automatic Reconstruction from Unorganized 3D Scans”. Birdal, age 33, holds a Master degree in Computational Science and Engineering and is currently PhD candidate at the Computer Vision Group at the Chair for Computer Aided Medical Procedures, Technical University of Munich and Research Scientist at Siemens AG.

Picture source: EMVA

Reconstruction-via-detection framework 

The awarded work proposes reconstruction-via-detection framework, a new and effective approach to 3D digitization from a limited number of unordered and unstructured 3D point clouds. In contrast to state-of-the-art systems, which try to stitch a bunch of scenes together in a blind manner, this method cleverly integrates the CAD model, available in a wide range of industrial applications, directly into the reconstruction pipeline. With the help of this prior model, many existing problems are re-addressed and advanced: Matching, segmentation, hypotheses rejection and global refinement. The result is an occlusion and clutter aware, robust and flexible 3D reconstruction system, which could operate online within a couple of seconds and provide live user feedback along with the automatic object segmentation. Thanks to this elaborate framework, the final system doesn't require manual intervention other than acquiring the 3D data.

The developed method doesn't use approximations such as voxelization or smoothing and thus retains the accuracy of the 3D sensor in the final result. This way, very large objects can be efficiently scanned with only a handful of shots. All these technological advancements are fused into an application, where steam turbine casings and ventils are digitized and inspected using laser scanners. The inspection results are evaluated using photogrammetry systems and (sub)milimeter-level accuracy is demonstrated.

Young professional award part of EMVA Business Conference 

The EMVA Young Professional Award is an annual award to honor the outstanding and innovative work of a student or a young professional in the field of machine vision or image processing. It is the goal of the European Machine Vision Association EMVA to further support innovation in the machine vision industry, to contribute to the important aspect of dedicated machine vision education and to provide a bridge between research and industry. With the annual Young Professional Award the EMVA intends to specifically encourage students to focus on challenges in the field of machine vision and to apply latest research results and findings in computer vision to the practical needs of the industry. The awardee was announced on June 11 during the 14th EMVA Business Conference in Edinburgh/Scotland, where he also had the opportunity to present his work as part of the regular conference program. 

The 15th EMVA Business Conference will take place from 22 – 24 June 2017 in Prague/Czech Republic. 

About EMVA:

Founded in May 2003 in Barcelona, the European Machine Vision Association currently has about 100+ members representing more than 20 nations. Its aim is to promote the development and use of machine vision technology and to support the interests of its members - machine vision companies, research institutions and national machine vision associations. The main fields of work of EMVA are: standardization, statistics, the annual EMVA Business Conference and other networking events, European research funding, public relations and marketing. To find out more visit the web site www.emva.org.

Dr. Gürsel Sönmez Resarch Award Committee has carefully evaluated the applications of 12 candidates, considering their research outcomes and references, as well as the nature of each discipline and the degree awarded (M.S/Ph.D) at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences in Sabancı University.

The Committee nominates Nima Tofighi, Jamal Seyyed Monfared Zanjani and Beyza Vuruşaner for the award, due to their outstanding contributions in their fields as summarized below. We recommend equal distribution of the award among all the nominees.

Beyza Vuruşaner's work during her Ph. D. has contributed significantly to the advancement of oxidative stress signaling and reactive oxygen control in cells. Lipid oxidation is a veryimportant phenomenon that has implications in devlopment of serious human diseases including cancer, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Beyza has a strong scientific track record of high-quality publications in international peer-reviewed high impact journals. In the first year of her PhD studies, she published a review article in an international, interdisciplinary journal and the article is ranked 6th in the list of the most downloaded articles of the journal. In addition, it was cited more than 100 times including Cell journal.

Two research articles, which are directly related with her PhD thesis were published in highly prestigious peer-reviewed journals. In the molecular biology/molecular medicine field, 90-95% of the published work is produced by the first author. She deserves all the credit for her papers.

Nima Tofighi, during his PhD research in Sabanci University, has made noteworthy contributions to numerical solutions of complex viscoelastic flow problems with smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. In particular, he developed a general incompressible approach to overcome the accuracy issues of the SPH methods efficiently and applied this approach successfully to fluid-solid interactions of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, electro hydrodynamics, multiphase flows and the motion of rigid bodies in stationary fluids under external forces such as the gravity and the electric field. He demonstrated his solid academic background, intellectual capacity and research abilities in developing solution strategies for complex problems, carrying out tedious steps for the solution of the problems and documenting his contributions with well-written manuscripts. As an outcome of the productivity of his research efforts, he prepared and contributed to eleven articles (five already published) in leading scientific journals, and nineteen articles in refereed international conference proceedings.

Jamal Seyyed Monfared Zanjani , while pursuing his Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering, worked in the field of composite material development and structural health monitoring. During his stay at Sabancı University, he actively conducted research in synthesis and characterization of different carbon based nano-materials and their effect in different polymeric matrices that are used in composites. He made significant contribution to the literature regarding nano-engineered design and manufacturing of high-performance epoxy matrix composites with carbon fiber/selectively integrated graphene as multi-scale reinforcements. Following this work, he successfully developed a method to design and fabricate hollow and filled graphene-based polymeric spheres via core-shell electrospraying. In the course of these activities Jamal developed post processing codes and computer protocols to analyze the results of sophisticated experimental data and authored or coauthored 8 journal publications in four years at Sabancı University.

2015-2016 Dr. Gürsel Sönmez Resarch Award Committee

Özgür Gürbüz (coord.)

Semih Onur Sezer

Deniz Sezer

Serhat Yeşilyurt

Burç Mısırlıoğlu

Fevzi Cebeci

Nilay Noyan

Selim Balcısoy

Selim Çetiner

June 9th ELAE result code explanations are as follows:

SL (Satisfactory in the ELAE): indicates students who have received the required grade or above in the June 9th ELAE.

EL: (Exempt from the ELAE): indicates students who are exempt from the June 9th ELAE.

UL (Unsatisfactory in the ELAE): indicates students who have not been able to obtain the required grade in the ELAE.

NA (Non-attendance): indicates students who did not attend the exam and is equivalent to a “UL” grade.

Grade bands are as below:

Postgraduate candidates who have taken the June 9th ELAE will be informed of their results by their faculties.

Students who hold their right to study at FDY Summer School as a result of their end of course results and/or ELAE results will automatically be registered to the Summer School.

Those students who hold their right to study at School of Languages Summer School but do not wish to study at the Foundation Development Year Programme have to complete “Application Form to Study Outside FDY”, and hand in the form to the School of Languages Admin Office by 12:00 on 15th June, 2016. A photo of the completed form can also be sent to aslituan@sabanciuniv.edu on the condition that the original forms are submitted at a later date.

Click for the “Application Form to Study Outside FDY”

Please see the link for your ELAE results.

We wish you success in your studies,

The School of Languages Directorate

The first conference of the Center of Excellence in Finance discussed the Future of Financial Markets

The Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF) established by Sabancı University with the support of Akbank held its first conference titled
“Developed and Developing Economies: The Future of Financial Markets” in Istanbul.

The first conference of the Sabancı University Center of Excellence in Finance established with the founding sponsorship of Akbank to achieve excellence in finance was held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at the Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul.

CEF was established to organize certificate programs, seminar series, workshops and conferences as well as issue research reports targeting a wide audience that includes academics, finance professionals, manufacturing economy and individual investors, and brought together representatives from the manufacturing and finance sectors, policymakers, academics and students in its first conference. Speakers in the conference included prominent figures in finance such as Professor Turan Bali, Dr. Josef Ackermann, Suzan Sabancı Dinçer, Lord Stephen Green, Professor Dante Roscini, Dr. Til Schuermann, Professor Cliff Holderness,  Sir Winfried Bischoff and Professor Larry Summers. Representing Turkish businesses were Vodafone Turkey CEO Gökhan Öğüt, TAV Airports Board Member and CEO Mustafa Sani Şener and Shell & Turcas Petrol A.Ş. CEO Felix Faber.

CEF’s first event concluded with a closing conference by former US Secretary of the Treasury, Professor Lawrence Summers.

“We strive to create economic value for Turkey”

In her introductory remarks, Akbank Board of Directors Chair and Managing Director Suzan Sabancı Dinçer said, “We are tremendously excited about this joint project by Akbank and Sabancı University. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for sharing our excitement and being with us here today."  Sabancı continued, "Akbank has been in the banking industry since 1948. With 900 branches, 14 thousand employees, 15 million clients, assets over 90 billion dollars and a book value above 10 billion dollars, we are one of the key actors in Turkey, where we strive to create economic value.

Besides contributing to the economy as an institution, we support Turkey in achieving its goals and invest in corporate social responsibility projects. Education, entrepreneurship, culture and arts are our priorities in enabling Turkey to reach its 2023 objectives and we spend considerable effort in these areas. We are gathered here for the inaugural conference of CEF - an organization that is precious and instrumental to us in education. This is a collaboration between our group's bank and university.

They have joined forces to have better trained and better equipped individuals in finance. Istanbul is the starting point of our anticipated CEF project. We hope to expand this organization nationwide thanks to the use of technology in the years to come."

"Finance is where applied mathematics, economics and political science meet and are tried by the future of individuals and the society"

Also speaking in the opening of the conference, Sabancı University President Professor A. Nihat Berker said, "Finance is where applied mathematics, economics and political science meet and are tried by the future of individuals and the society. As Sabancı University, we are delighted to be a part of CEF in this extremely important activity. Our stake in this organization aligns perfectly with the philosophy of our university to serve the individual and the society while aiming for excellence in the most challenging of environments. We are especially happy that CEF serves the industry, the academic community -faculty as well as students- and an entire region with forward-thinking, innovative and effective processes across a variety of disciplines."

“CEF will provide world-class finance education with globally recognized instructors"

Sabancı University Finance Chair Professor Özgür Demirtaş said, “CEF will act as a bridge between financial and manufacturing industry representatives, academics, policymakers, bureaucrats and students.  CEF will provide world-class finance education with globally recognized instructors. This will be where the best in finance meet. I hope that we will serve Turkey well."

The Future of Global Financial Markets
The session of the conference titled "The Future of Global Financial Markets" was moderated by Akbank Board of Directors Member and General Manager Hakan Binbaşgil, featuring speakers Lord Stephen Green, former Minister of State for UK Trade and Investment, former Deutsche Bank Board Member Dr. Josef Ackermann and JP Morgan Securities Board of Directors Chair Sir Winfried Bischoff.

Turkish Private Sector and the New Era
The afternoon session on "Turkish Private Sector and the New Era" was moderated by Sabancı University Finance Chair Professor Özgür Demirtaş, and speakers were Shell & Turcas Petrol A.Ş. CEO Felix Faber, Vodafone Turkey CEO and TAV Airports Board Member and CEO Mustafa Sani Şener.

The advisory board of the Center is composed of globally-renowned individuals

CEF brings academics, industry leaders, public bodies and investors together to transform fundamental knowledge into applications with real-life relevance. The advisory board of the Center is composed of globally-renowned individuals in each of the above sectors. CEF Advisory Board includes Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Economics Professor Daron Acemoğlu, Former Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann, Akbank Board of Directors Chair Suzan Sabancı Dinçer, Former Minister of State for UK Trade and Investment Lord Stephen Green, Harvard Business School Management Professor Dante Roscini, and Former US Secretaries of the Treasury Robert Rubin and Professor Larry Summers.

“Paris COP21: What Implications for Energy Industry?”

IICEC 7^th International Energy and Climate Forum, organized by Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate, will be held on June 10, 2016, at the Conrad Hotel Istanbul, Turkey. 

IICEC’s International Energy Forum series, fostering the development of policy recommendations on energy and climate received brilliant feedback accompanied by huge media coverage. IICEC’s annual flagship Forums; “Towards a New Global Energy Landscape: What Role for Turkey?” (2013), “Global Energy Investments: Challenges and Opportunities” (2014) and “On the Road to Antalya G-20 Summit: Global Energy Security Today and Tomorrow” (2015), explored new strategies and solutions on a regional and global scale offering a unique platform for energy leaders in creating a more secure, sustainable and prosperous global energy future.

IICEC 7^th International Energy and Climate Forum, “Paris COP21: What Implications for Energy Industry?”, will once again bring together top level government leaders, energy industry executives, high-level representatives from the leading universities, policy centers and international think-tanks from around the world to challenge conventional thinking to embrace new frontiers in turbulent times.

For the forum programme, please visit: http://iicec.sabanciuniv.edu/sites/iicec.sabanciuniv.edu/files/pictures/7th.pdf

RSVP: Olgun Demirkol, iicec@sabanciuniv.edu, 0212 381 46 34

ATTENTION! New Regulations in Acceptable “English Proficiency” Exams for Graduate Program Registrations

According to the updated YOK (Turkish Higher Education Council) Legislation;

a)      Acceptable Exams

There has been an update in the list of exams which are considered as equivalent by YOK and acceptable for Graduate Program registrations by Sabancı University, please click to check updated acceptable exam list.  Validty date of these exams as announced on our website, should be later than program registration dates.

Equivalency of IELTS, TOEFL-PBT and TOEFL-CBT exams is not accepted by YOK (Turkish Higher Education Council) any more; and these exams will not be valid for Graduate Program registrations.

b)     Exam Centers

If the international exams, of which equivalency is accepted by YOK and which are accepted for Graduate Program registrations by Sabancı University as indicated in Article (a), are taken in Turkey; these exams have to be taken in a State University building. 

Exams taken in a exam center rather than State University buildings before the announcement date of the updated regulation (26 February 2016); and exams taken in a exam center rather than State University buildings within 30 days following the announcement date of updated regulation, only if it was applied before 26 February 2016 will be considered as taken in accordance with the condition indicated in Article (b).