"Commons Tense" exhibits the works of new media artists from Sabancı University and Turkey.

The Mercator-IPC Fellowship introduced its 2012-2013 fellows in an event with Kemal Derviş and Cem Özdemir

The Mercator-IPC Fellowship held an event to mark the beginning of the 2012-2013 program.  Held on September 25, the program introduced the fellows whose work will be supported by the Istanbul Policy Center – Sabancı University – Stiftung Mercator Initiative.

Mercator-IPC Fellowship aims to strengthen the ties between Turkey and Germany, as well as Turkey and Europe by facilitating the exchange of people and knowledge.  The program supports projects on climate change, EU/German-Turkish relations, and education.  The 2012-2013 program includes three fellows on climate change, two on EU/German-Turkish relations and one on education.

The Fellowship also conducts joint efforts with select senior scholars.  The senior fellows of the 2012-2013 Mercator-IPC Fellowship Program are Cem Özdemir, Co-Chairman of the German Green Party, and Ömer Madra, founder of Açık Radyo.

An event was held to introduce the fellows.  Opening speeches were given by Sabancı University President Nihat Berker, Stiftung Mercator Chairman Bernhard Lorentz and IPC Director Fuat Keyman.

The event continued with German Green Party Co-Chair and Mercator-IPC Senior Fellow Cem Özdemir’s speech titled “Europe at a Turning Point: Why Is Turkey Important?”

Cem Özdemir said that the key issue was to understand how we were to coexist in the world, and argued that Turkey and the EU need to maintain a joint foreign policy and work together to find a common solution to global problems.  Özdemir said that Turkey should be a member of the EU due to shared values, and explained that there were still issues related to EU membership, visa requirements and immigration policy.

Cem Özdemir continued: “Turkey’s recent growth is not simply the result of the ruling party’s policies.  The efforts of Kemal Derviş as the the former Minister of Economy played a large part in this growth.  Turkey maintains a rapid pace of improvement in areas where the EU has shortcomings.  The public dedication to Turkey’s EU membership has decreased lately; yet, this must be maintained for Turkey to achieve its goal.”

On energy generation, Cem Özdemir said, “We must create a Europe where renewable energies are used and Turkey could play a part in providing this energy.  Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011, no democratic country will attempt to build nuclear plants; only dictatorships will.” Cem Özdemir concluded by saying that Turkey’s strong commitment to become an EU member brings Germany, Turkey and Europe together.

The speeches were followed by a panel discussion titled “Light of Hope: Turkish-German Relations at Turbulent Times.”  Speakers of the panel were Sabancı University IPC Board Member and Vice-President of Brookings Institution Kemal Derviş, Mercator-IPC Senior Fellow and Founder of Açık Radyo Ömer Madra, Mercator-IPC Fellow Seçil Paçacı Elitok and Mercator-IPC International Board of Overseers Member and former Consul-General Klaus Scharioth.  The moderator of the panel was Ayşe Kadıoğlu of the Sabancı University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Kemal Derviş underscored three important issues in his speech: “There is dynamic growth in developing countries; they have been outpacing the developed world since the 1990s, with average incomes increasing three times as fast as developed countries.  The change in the Arab world leads to the fall of authoritarian regimes, which has significant implications for Europe.  Turkey will play a part in the transition of these countries to democracy due to its proximity in the region.  What that part will be is another question.  Finally, the Euro zone needs further integration for a better solution.  EU is not the former EU we know.  It is in a quest and Turkey will be part of that quest, taking active part in it, because all dynamics are changing.  Turkey will play this part best as a ‘full member.’  In the aftermath of the economic crisis, EU will be reformed and Turkey’s importance within the reformed EU will increase.  I am confident that Turkey will be an important part of the change to come.”

About the Mercator-IPC Fellowship Program
Starting with its first fellows on September 1, 2012, the Mercator-IPC Fellowship aims to strengthen the academic, political and social ties between Turkey and Germany, as well as Turkey and Europe by facilitating excellent scientific research and hands-on policy work in the fields of climate change, EU/German-Turkish relations and education.

The Mercator – IPC Fellowship Program is the corner stone of the Istanbul Policy Center – Sabancı University – Stiftung Mercator Initiative.  The program offers fellowships to German, Turkish, European and international scholars in the three fields above.  Fellows are chosen by an international panel.  The program has separate positions for young researchers and senior scholars.  The fellowship duration varies between 6 and 12 months.

The 2012-2013 program includes three fellows on climate change, two on EU/German-Turkish relations and one on education.  The fellows and their project titles are: Seçil Paçacı Elitok: The role of immigration in EU/German-Turkish Relations; Kerstin Krellenberg: A Framework for Studying the Adaptation of Mega-Cities to Climate Change; Ömer Lütfi Şen: An Integrated Approach to the Impact of Climate Change in Turkey; Pieter Verstraete: Changes in Theater in Turkey after Immigration: Social and Artistic Cooperation between Germany and Turkey; Anja Koenig: Social Entrepreneurship and the Role of the Government: Best Practices and Policy Choices in Climate Change; Dominik Hartmann: Analysis and Encouragement of Knowledge Transfer across Turkish-German Innovation Networks in the EU Integration Process.  The senior fellows of the program are Cem Özdemir, Co-Chairman of the German Green Party, and Ömer Madra, founder of Açık Radyo.

Sabanci Foundation Chairman Guler Sabanci Recognized by Former Us President Bill Clinton for commitment to ending child marriages in Turkey and abroad

New York, NY (September 25, 2012) – In a session opened by President Barack Obama at the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting, Sabancı Foundation Chairman Güler Sabancı was recognized by Founding Chairman of CGI, President Bill Clinton, for her commitment to ending child marriages in Turkey and the rest of the world. 

Güler Sabancı was the recipient of the prestigious Clinton Global Citizen Award for her leadership in supporting programs to promote the rights of women and girls in Turkey at the 2011 CGI Annual Meeting. The Sabancı Foundation’s Commitment to Action builds on these efforts to support capacity building initiatives delivered by ‘Girls Not Brides’ (a global partnership to end child marriage) for 60 NGOs from 12 countries and provide continued support for Turkish NGOs working to end child marriages at local and national levels.

Sabancı Foundation Announces Partnership with the Girls not Brides Platform

Parallel to the 2012 CGI Annual Meeting, Sabancı Foundation co-hosted a panel with the Ford Foundation, NoVo Foundation, Girls Not Brides, and The Elders, to discuss new developments and commitments to end child marriages.

Among the speakers were Güler Sabancı, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland representing The Elders, Ford Foundation President Luis Lubinas, Novo Foundation President Jennifer Buffet, and the Global Coordinator of ‘Girls Not Brides,’ Lakshmi Sundaram.

In her remarks, Güler Sabancı emphasized the importance of working in partnership to end child marriages: “Involvement in this global platform helps build partnerships to leverage resources and know-how in order to end child marriages and create a brighter future for girls all over the world. Sabancı Foundation’s active support and engagement will increase the impact of our work in Turkey while contributing to the efforts of other NGOs across the world. If we are to make a difference in our own countries, we must work together to help make a difference in other countries as well.”

About the Clinton Global Initiative

Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,100 commitments, which have already improved the lives of 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $69.2 billion.
CGI also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery in the United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook atfacebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.
 
About Girls Not Brides

In 2010, The Elders, an independent group of eminent global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela, www.theelders.org began reaching out to organizations all over the world to establish the Girls Not Brides Partnership. Comprised of over 180 organizations working to end child marriage all over the world, Girls Not Brides aims to give a voice to girls at risk of child marriage, to defend their rights to health and education, and convince leaders and policymakers to create effective laws and dedicate resources needed to drive change. For more see www.girlsnotbrides.org

About Sabancı Foundation

The Sabancı Foundation was established in 1974 and aims to promote social development and awareness among current and future generations by supporting initiatives that create impact and lasting change in people's lives. The Foundation provides support for education, arts and culture, sport and civil society initiatives that strive to create equal access and opportunities for women, youth and persons with disability.  For more see www.sabancivakfi.org   

www.sabancivakfi.org

Sabancı University International Board of Overseers Members Professor Timothy Tong and Dr. Xiang Wang will speak at the conference titled “Two Perspectives on Research in the Context of the Rise of Asia” hosted by the Sabancı University Alumni Association (SUMED) on Wednesday, October 3rd.

The Sabancı University International Board of Overseers, composed of 12 global business and academic leaders, will hold its annual meeting in Istanbul.

As part of the Sabancı University International Board of Overseers meeting, a conference titled “Two Perspectives on Research in the Context of the Rise of Asia” will be held on Wednesday, October 3rd at the Seed.

Hosted by the Sabancı University Alumni Association – SUMED, the conference will feature keynotes by Professor Timothy Tong, President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Dr. Xiang Wang, partner of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.  Professor Tong’s speech title will be “University-Industry Cooperation” while Dr. Wang will speak on “Commercializing and Discussing Intellectual Property” .

You are cordially invited to the conference also to be attended by Sabancı University Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı and President Professor Nihat Berker.

Sabancı University International Board of Overseers

Bekaert CEO Baron Paul Buysse
Brookings Institute Vice President and Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center Senior Advisor Dr. Kemal Derviş
Deutsche Bank Former Chair of the Board of Auditors Dr. Rolf E. Breuer
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Emeritus President Barbara Thomas Judge
Paradigm Ventures President Candace Johnson, one of the 50 most influential women in the world by Time and Fortune
Oxford University President Chris Patten
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University President Professor Timothy W. Tong
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Partner Dr. Xiang Wang
UBS Investment Bank Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors Sen. Phil Gramm
Newtonmore Advisors Limited CEO Cem Cesmig
GE International President ve CEO Ferdinando Beccalli-Falco
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Faculty Member Professor Peter A. Diamond

Program
Date: Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Place: the Seed, Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Emirgan
Time: 17:00 – 18:30

Shuttle hours

Departure: 15:30 FASS parking - SSM

Return: 19:30 SSM - Campus

The new academic year means for SUdergi, the Sabancı University journal.

    * New editorial members,
    * New contributors,
    * New reporters.

SUdergi is a quasi-popular culture journal issued to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas among SU members and to keep the members of the SU community in touch.

SUdergi is issued by SU members!
The topics in the journal include culture, art, history, economics, engineering, environment, literature, sports and others, with the common theme across all articles, editorials and interviews being a connection to the university and its community.

SUdergi content is created by the SUdergi Editorial Board and contributors, who are Sabancı University students, faculty, alumni and employees. All members of SU may submit contributions to the journal and suggest topics even if they are not members of the Editorial Board.

Please write to dergi@sabanciuniv.edu if you too want to be a part of this team. Applications are open to all students, employees and faculty.

SUdergi is also available on the ISabancı Media in tablet format.

Note: Members will be chosen after interviews with editorial board members and journalists. The selection process will be followed with a meeting of the new editorial board.

To apply for the SUdergi team:

e- mail: dergi@sabanciuniv.edu
Tel: 0216 483 9106

SU students Efe Sezik and İlker Avimelek took part in this year’s North America Farr 40 Championship. Held across the east coast of the US in 5 legs, the race took our students through Key West, Miami, Annapolis and Newport. Finally, the two contestants competed against each other in Lake Michigan as part of the Rolex World Championship.

Being the two youngest contestants to take part in this global event, our students reached the pinnacle in sailing in Turkey, and were received with great acclaim.

The Farr 40 competition takes place among “one design” boats of 40 feet, which ensures that the skill of the sailors and not the design of the boat determines the winner.   Efe was among the crew of the Asterisk UNO, while İlker was with Provezza 8.  On the last day of the races, a Turkish team took first place in the World Championship for the first time with the Asterisk UNO boat.  The team ranked 12th in general classifications.

Academic Personel and Graduate Studies Entrance Exam

Information About ALES

1.ALES guide and information form for candidates

During the application dates, the candidates may reach the detailed information about the following subjects from the web site:www.osym.gov.tr No hardcopy guides will be distributed.

• Application Guide
• Information Form for Candidates
• Application Process
• Application Centers

2. Application process

• Candidates who have applied through application centers to any examination that is held by OSYM in the last three years (2010, 2011, 2012) will apply individually for ALES-2012 Fall through website. 
• Candidates who have not applied through application centers to any examination will apply individually for ALES-2012 Fall through the examination centers.
• Those who are to use the examination centers must take reservation.

3. Examination fees can be paid to the following banks

4. Important matters to take into consideration while applying at the application centers

• Candidate must come personally.
• Fill in the information form for candidates completely and accurately. (Address:www.osym.gov.tr)
• Pay the examination fee and have its receipt before coming to application center,
• Have a certified personal identification card with photo

For Application, you may contact Mrs. Çağlar Akpınar  from Student Resources Unit (Room numberG036 - Telephone Number: 0216 4839361)

We wish success to all candidates

Student Resources Unit

Dear Friends,

For weeks we have prepared our University and ourselves, and today the New Academic Year is starting.  I hearthily welcome our new students, faculty members, and staff that have just joined us, and together with them I send all of the Sabancı University family my best wishes for the New Academic Year.

Confident that, working together under academic freedom, energetically and joyfully, we shall learn and teach, develop and improve, serve individuals, society and the world, and thus multiply our accomplishments,  I send my warmest greetings.

Nihat Berker  

The last “Discover Yourself” project of 2012 brings Sabancı University students together with children in Van

Work to involve children in the Tahirpaşa Temporary Settlement in Van

Conducted by the Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects for 12 years running, the “Discover Yourself” projects reached out to more than 11,000 children so far.  The latest episode of the project takes place in Van.


The first Discover Yourself project of the summer had brought together 150 children and 9 university volunteers in Kilis for an unforgettable experience.

The first Discover Yourself project of the summer had brought together 150 children and 9 university volunteers in Kilis for an unforgettable experience.

A project team of 18, consisting of students from Sabancı University and other universities, will help 200 schoolchildren in Van to “discover themselves” between August 25 and September 3, 2012.

The first of the Discover Yourself projects, held as part of the Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects that go on throughout the year, was held in Kilis for the first time between June 16 and July 1, 2012.

The next project will reach out to 200 schoolchildren in the earthquake-stricken province of Van to help them recover from their shattering experiences, remember their own potentials, and start dreaming once again.

Among the objectives of the project are to improve the creativity and self-esteem of the children and to help them become aware of themselves.  The project will be conducted at the Ahmet Yesevi İMKB Primary School, to which the children of the Tahirpaşa Temporary Settlement in Van go, with 15 volunteer university students and associates of the Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects.

A team of students from Sabancı and other universities will work with the children of families suffering from the impact of the earthquake in Van to train them in educational drama, cultural interaction, diversity awareness, conflict-consensus-peace, human rights and discrimination, verbal and numeric skills, manual skills and environmental awareness.

12 years of Discover Yourself projects
In addition to a variety of projects throughout the academic year, the Civic Involvement Projects program continues with “Discover Yourself” projects outside Istanbul during semester breaks and summer holidays.

Since 2000, Sabancı University students have conducted projects in Mardin, Van, Şanlıurfa, Siirt, Diyarbakır Silvan, Kars-Sarıkamış, Erzurum, Giresun, İzmir-Dikili, Balıkesir-Ayvalık, Hatay, Sinop, Nevşehir, Muş, Kilis and Ardahan.

Sabancı University makes another achievement, ranks number one among universities in the EU 7th Framework Programme

The Higher Council for Science and Technology held its 24th meeting on 7 August 2012 and issued its interim assessment report regarding the EU 7th Framework Programme.

Covering the period between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2012, the interim assessment report indicates that Sabancı University leads the top ten list of universities ranked according to the ratio of partnerships to the number of faculty members.

In terms of the highest utilization of the 7th Framework Programme, Sabancı University ranks third after TÜBİTAK and the Middle East Technical University.

Sabancı University ranks second in terms of the total number of partnerships.

Previously, Sabancı University had received the highest budget per faculty member in the 6th Framework Programme.