Claudius Schulze, a graduate of the MA program in Conflict Resolution in 2009, is at news in Hürriyet Daily News.

"The offer of a full scholarship for a master’s program from a prestigious university (Sabancı University) brought photojournalist Claudius Schulze to Istanbul. After a nine-month period in which he gradually got to know the city, Schulze sought to see past the obvious and capture more original and personal shots of a multi-layered city in continual flux. His current work takes him as far afield as Diyabakır and to the camel-wrestling championships in Selçuk."

for the rest of the news, click here

International solo exhibition of Hande Varsat (VAVCD 05)

Hande Varsat, a graduate of Sabancı University FASS-VAVCD program 2005, is opening her first solo international exhibition, Tradition’s Triangle, in El Punto del Carmen gallery, Valencia, Spain on December 17, 2010.

Born into a conservative family which migrated from Central Anatolia to cosmopolitan Istanbul, Hande has gone through an education which emphasizes individualism and perhaps even glamorize the ‘uniqueness’ of each person to an unrealistic degree. Instead of rejecting one of these two realities, she accepted the challenge of being pushed and pulled around between two conflicting modes of thinking and the tension this choice brought along with it to all fields of her life. Within the cocoon woven by these contradictions, she is able to breathe through the space of freedom her art provides her with. In her words, “In order to manifest our existence and feel worthy of respect, we sometimes may feel the urge to deny those values which are imposed upon us by the society in which we live. Proving our internal strength in such a manner may seem as if it’s a way out of this existential conundrum and a first step towards defining ourselves in a ‘consistent’ manner. Rather than being pulled and pushed between two extremities, we find it easier to reject one side completely. What if we chose not to reject either side?”

Now 27, Hande is composing her first solo exhibition by generalizing to Turkish women the lifetime tension she experienced between tradition and individualism. Her journey of self discovery unfolds before the viewer as she intends to differentiate the textures of her own inner being from both the drive of individualism and the pressure of tradition. For disclosing her inconsistencies, her choice of space is appropriate: The vital space of the Moorish Wall, functioning as a historical monument in the modern and individualist West, Valencia. When we consider the relationship between religion and conservatism, the space in which Tradition’s Triangle is positioned gains a broader meaning. It is in this triangular space which refers to the Devil’s Triangle and therefore embodies the assumption of failure that Hande Varsat’s quest for self discovery and her internal questioning transform into a historical encounter.

Honor, virtue, intimacy, virginity, prejudice, pressure, individual, woman, girl, mother, home, family, labor, patience, trousseau and embroidery are the keywords that guide Varsat in recreating snapshot stories centered around Turkish women. With these small stories, what we label as ‘inconsistencies’ reconstruct themselves, leaving the spectator with a feeling of bitter admiration.  

Deloitte Academy organizes the the third Scientific Analysis Competition'10 with the aim to lead university students to make economic and social researches. This year the competition will be about Work Life and Sustainable Development in Turkey.

For the details about competition, please visit.

Application deadline for scientific analysis is February 4th, 2011 at 17.00.

Career Office
Phone: 216 483 9354
career@sabanciuniv.edu.

The Atlantic Council of the United States (ACUS), in partnership with the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC) at Sabanci University, is administering a dynamic State Department sponsored exchange program designed to connect and build constructive relationships between future leaders (age 25-35) from the United States and Turkey. This initiative is intended to help renew and reinvigorate the important bilateral relationship between the two nations.

ACUS and IPC will recruit participants from each country, targeting individuals who have started careers in the fields of foreign policy, business and journalism, possess a strong passion for international engagement, and have demonstrated leadership abilities. 

Applications are due on December 17, 2010, late submissions will not be considered.  The application form and more information about the program can be found at http://youngatlanticist.org/ytyahome.html
 
The exchange will take place in mid-2011, and will last for nearly one month, with two weeks in the United States (February/March) and ten days in Turkey (June/July).  Most of the two-week U.S. segment will be held in Washington, DC, and will also include a visit to a major regional center with strong international connections, such as Atlanta, Georgia.  The Turkey session will include time in Ankara and Istanbul, with the possibility of visiting a third destination.
 
 We are currently seeking applications from exceptional Turkish and American young professionals, aged 25-35.  We are targeting individuals who have started careers in the fields of foreign policy, business and journalism, who possess a strong passion for international engagement and have demonstrated leadership abilities.  All travel, room and board costs will be covered by ACUS and IPC.

The main objectives of the Young Turkey/Young America initiative are to:

• Cultivate understanding and lasting ties between American and Turkish participants;
• Develop critical leadership and conflict management skills to empower participants to become leaders in their respective professional fields;
• Facilitate ongoing collaboration among participants through joint projects to be carried out following program completion;
• Use Web 2.0 technologies to build a virtual forum where participants can share their views and experiences with a global audience;
• Build an expanding network of future leaders committed to advancing U.S.-Turkish cooperation through collaboration and ongoing projects.

The last panel held within the Global Entrepreneurship Week activities at Sabancı University took place on Thursday, November 11th.  Speakers of the panel titled “Resources for Entrepreneurs: Contests and Funds” were Galata Business Angels Secretary-General Kutlu Kazancı, Inovent General Manager Serhat Görgün, MIT EF Director Richard Kivel, MIT EF Turkey Representative Bülent Hiçsönmez and Sabancı University Faculty Member Ziya Boyacıgiller.

The last panel of the Global Entrepreneurship Week events at Sabancı University was held on Thursday, November 11th, and was titled “Resources for Entrepreneurs: Contests and Funds.”  Speakers of the panel were Serhat Görgün (Inovent General Manager), Kutlu Kazancı (Galata Business Angels Secretary-General), Richard Kivel (MIT Enterprise Forum Director), Bülent Hiçsönmez (MIT Enterprise Forum Turkey Representative) and Ziya Boyacıgiller (Sabancı University Faculty Member).

Speakers explained various means for entrepreneurs to secure the resources they need when realizing their business plans, and provided information on noteworthy resources, competitions and funds across the world.

Serhat Görgün spoke about the establishment and activities of Inovent, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sabancı University.  Görgün explained that while Inovent had been initially established to support business ideas of Sabancı University students and faculty, it expanded to seek out and support innovative business ideas across Turkey.  Görgün said that 16 start-up companies had been founded within Inovent so far, 8 of which were founded by Sabancı University students, and that the company phased out of two such establishments to date.  Serhat Görgün concluded by extending invitations to all students with innovative business ideas.

Kutlu Kazancı began his speech by explaining that business angels were individuals that have the time and experience to devote to young entrepreneurs.  Kazancı explained the structure of Galata Business Angels, and added that they support start-up internet and technology companies.

Ziya Boyacıgiller spoke from an entrepreneur’s standpoint, explaining why entrepreneurs need investors, and emphasized that investors provide financial support in addition to the ability to act rapidly, and bring the network, experience and credibility that entrepreneurs require.  Boyacıgiller cautioned entrepreneurs against several issues: All investors invest in businesses that they know; the experience level and know-how of investors are important; the networking abilities of investors matter greatly; investors prioritize results and fast exit strategies; the growth potential of the market matters; and do not transfer the majority of your shares to investors.  On ways to secure funds, Ziya Boyacıgiller explained that state institutions like TÜBİTAK and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have various enterprise funds, while many investors from Europe and the US have a wish to invest in Turkey.  Boyacıgiller concluded by saying, “Make short-term plans.  Try to convert your idea to production with small investments.  Risk investors and business angels look for tried and true ideas.”

An entrepreneur himself, Richard Kivel explained that the MIT EF was founded 30 years ago by two entrepreneurs, and was now operating in 22 countries of the world, which would provide a global network to entrepreneurs in Turkey.

Bülent Hiçsönmez spoke about the MIT Turkey 50K Business Plan Competition (“50K BPC”) held with the cooperation of MIT EF Turkey and Toyota Turkey to support innovative start-up companies, giving cash prizes of USD 50,000 to the winner, USD 15,000 to the second place, and USD 5000 to the third place.

Bülent Hiçsönmez said that the purpose of the competition transcended the cash reward; the consultancy and mentoring services provided throughout the competition would realize the true potential of the projects, and cultivate an environment in which project owners could meet potential investors.  Bülent Hiçsönmez said, “Applications will be accepted online from teams of three or more, two of whom must be Turkish nationals.  The 50K BPC organization committee will support the teams with workshops on entrepreneurship in addition to the independent research and efforts the teams are expected to undertake with respect to their business plans.  During the business plan preparation phase, the Committee will bring the teams together with volunteer experts of their respective industries, while the mentors assigned to the teams will help them make the best of their project presentations before the jury.”

Given the growing strategic importance of energy and climate change, cognizant of the shift of the center of gravity of these related strategic issues to the eastern part of the world, Sabancı University has decided to establish a new center on energy and climate. Named the “Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC),” the official announcement of the establishment of the center was made in a press conference at the Karaköy Communication Center of the University. Attending the conference were Güler Sabancı, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Sabancı University, Professor Nihat Berker, President, and Dr. Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency in Paris.

Güler Sabancı, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Sabancı University, announced that the International Steering Committee for the center would be led by Dr. Fatih Birol, who was recently named by Forbes Magazine as the world’s fourth most powerful person in terms of influence on the world’s energy scene, on an honorary consultant basis. IICEC will be the first center at this strategic center in the world to be focused on energy and climate change, and Sabancı University, similarly to its previous initiatives, will be pioneering this field. The Center is expected to make Sabancı University an authority on energy and climate change, not only in Turkey, but also expanding its influence to the region and the entire world. It was further mentioned that the intellectual composition of Sabancı University presents an exceptional opportunity for such an initiative.

IICEC is planned to be a future-oriented independent research and policy center designed to conduct objective, high-quality economic and policy studies in the areas of energy and climate.  IICEC efforts will help the development of solutions to a sustainable energy future for the region and the world. Working with governments, businesses, research bodies, and international organizations in the region and in the world, IICEC aims to inform policy makers and industry on key energy and climate challenges. The Center will be located in Istanbul, at the crossroads of almost all current and emerging strategic energy players, both on the producing and consuming side of global energy markets.

Dr. Fatih Birol made the following remarks during the press conference: “In both energy production and energy consumption, the center of gravity of the world is moving Eastward. Our neighbors in the Middle East, Russia, and the Caucasus are rapidly increasing their weights in the petroleum and natural gas world markets. With respect to consumption, China, India, and the Middle Eastern countries have moved to top positions in the world.  It is of strategic importance for this region and for the world markets that the decision-makers in the region need to correctly assess the global developments in energy and environment and reflect these assessments to the important decisions they are making. It is for these reasons that I find Ms. Güler Sabancı’s decision to form such a Center extremely appropriate and timely. I am myself very happy to support on an Honorary basis this very important enterprise and to work with my very valuable colleagues in the International Steering Committee.”

IICEC International Steering Committee

The International Steering Committee of the Center will include influential experts on energy.  The nine members of the Committee are as follows:

Nabil O. Al-Khowaiter, Director of Business Development, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), Riyadh, S. Arabia
Xavier Chen, President of Beijing Energy Club, China
Kemal Derviş, Vice President of the Brookings Institute
John Deutch, Institute Professor, MIT
Selahattin Hakman, Group President, Energy, Sabancı Holding
Barbara Thomas Judge, Chairperson of the UK Atomic Energy Authority
Michael Pistauer, Chairperson of the Executive Board of Verbund, Austria
Güler Sabancı, Chairperson, Sabancı University Board of Trustees
Nihat Berker, President, Sabancı University

The Exhibit 'Face Expressions: Portraits' in Tuzla
Date: 23 November Tuesday

Wieslaw Zaremba and his Students: Batu Bozoglu, Ece Kutlualp. Ezgi Didem Dağcı, Barış Ertufan, Sedef Aydoğan, Yankı Çalışgan, Deniz Başoğlu, Mercan Bakırezen, Gizem Acarla, Sezen Yeniçeri, Bike Kefeli, Peri Mina Yormaz, Pınar Koçak, Ömür Işıl Aydın, Elif Sunar, Nihan Somay

Tuzla Belediyesi Sanat Galerisi
Cami Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad. No. 99/ Tuzla

Student Union Election Calender
 
Candidacy Application: November 22 - November 29, 2010 (till 09:00am)
Publicity Period: December 1 – December 7, 2010 (till 23:59)
Elections: December 8, 2010 (09:30 – 17:00)
Applications: hyedidal@sabanciuniv.edu
 Application form
(If you want to publish another picture in the Student Union web page you can attach to the e-mail.)

THE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN EVERY TWO YEARS STARTING FROM THIS YEAR, THUS THE CANDIDATES BY THEIR APPLICATION SHOW THEIR WILL TO BE IN CHARGE FOR TWO YEARS.

AT MOST 5 CANDIDATES FROM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CANDIDATES, 3 CANDIDATES FROM SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE CANDIDATES AND 1 CANDIDATE FOR EACH SUBJECT SPOKESPERSON CAN BE VOTED.
IT IS OBLIGATORY TO SHOW STUDENT ID’S TO VOTE.  

COMMITTEES

Executive Committee: Executive Committee has the knowledge of the Student Assembly and follows up the conformity of the activities to the rules and regulations. Also, it has a consultancy function in the formation and the activities of the Working Groups in order to provide an efficient outcome. A selected member of the Executive Committee has the duty to inform Sabancı University students with the activities within the university and provide an information network in order to attend these activities. In addition, the selected member of the Executive Committee only for a specific subject, establishes dialogues with other universities, students, institutions and companies, and coordinates matters between students and non-university groups.

Supervisory Committee: Student Union Supervision Committee consists of a president and two members. Supervisory Committee of the Student Union determines whether the Executive Committee of the Student Union works in conformity with the regulations and instruction letters. It also informs the Rectorate and Student Union Representatives Committee with the work they carried out.

SUBJECT SPOKESPERSON

Academic Evaluation and Quality Management Committee Subject Spokesperson: S/he represents the Student Union in the Committee which evaluates, improves and acknowledges the quality of academic and administrative facilities in compliance with the university’s strategic plan and targets.

CIAD (Center for Individual and Academic Development) Advisory Committee Subject Spokesperson: This committee manages the coordination and communication between partners in the activities that are carried out by CIAD (Center for Individual and Academic Development), evaluates the suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of the student support systems and takes the necessary precautions by developing solutions at this end . Subject Spokesperson attends the meetings on invitation.

Information Center Advisory Committee Subject Spokesperson: S/he represents the Student Union in this committee which is established to enhance the Information Center’s collection according to university’s aims, manages the users to profit form the center efficiently and its services effectively and manages the communication between users and the center.

Course Scheduling Committee Subject Spokesperson: S/he is the via invitation member, of the committee that is established to schedule the courses in the most effective way by avoiding any conflicts and manages the inner faculty coordination.

Award Committee Subject Spokesperson: The Award Committee designates the incentives and awards to be granted to students in order to encourage the students' achievements based on versatility, participatory, creativity, sensitivity and gallantry in the extracurricular fields such as; sports, arts, science, communication, public and social studies as a team or individually. The Subject Spokesperson represents the Student Union within the committee.

Student Activities Committee Subject Spokesperson: Student Activities Committee is the decision maker for the foundation of clubs, their durations, approval of annual club budgets and allocation of funds fairly among the clubs.  Also the committee takes decisions regarding the organization of social activities that would affect the image of the university. The Subject Spokesperson represents the Student Union within the committee.

Sports Advisory Committee Subject Spokesperson: S/he represents the Student Union in this committee which is established to enhance the sports facilities according to university’s aims, manages the users to profit from the facilities efficiently and regulates the principle decisions regarding sports events.

Recruitment Committee Subject Spokesperson: S/he represents the Student Union at this committee which plans the recruitment activities of the University’s undergraduate programs.

Web Committee and IT Subject Spokesperson: S/he represents student union at the committee in terms of developing and updating the external web site of Sabancı University, making improvements in accordance with requests and suggestions. S/he is also responsible for the communication between the students and the related units about IT issues.

International Students Subject Spokesperson: The representative will be responsible to identify issues relevant to international students and ensure that the social, educational and welfare needs of international students are met. He/she will ensure that the needs of international students are reflected through the activities of the Student Council by contributing to the student council's tasks from an international student perspective.

Conference by European Academy of Sciences laureate Professor Sherrington

Emeritus Professor David Sherrington of the Physics Department of Oxford University was invited by Sabancı University to present a popular science conference titled “Physics and Complexity” at the Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum on Monday, November 8th. David Sherrington’s conference was widely followed by scholars and students.

David Sherrington received the 2010 Blaise Pascal Award from the European Academy of Sciences, and gave his first conference after receiving the medal at Sabancı University. David Sherrington explained how simple interactions and internal conflict on an atomic level creates complexities on visible scale.  In context, he gave many examples from the formation of glass to the fluctuation of stock markets and the operation of our brain.

The Blaise Pascal Award is one of the most prestigious awards in Europe, and has been initiated in 2003 to honor scientists that make great contributions to their respective fields.  The awards ceremony is held in a different city every year, and this year’s ceremony was in Athens.  After attending the ceremony in Athens last week, Professor Sherrington was invited to Turkey by Sabancı University.

Professor Sherrington was the center of attention at the cocktail that followed, where he had conversations with many students and posed for photographs.

“Doctoral Grandfather”
The journey from Oxford to the Erdal İnönü Chair
David Sherrington is the “doctoral grandfather” of the current occupant of the Sabancı University Erdal İnönü Chair, Assistant Professor İnanç Adagideli, meaning he is the doctoral advisor of Adagideli’s doctoral advisor.

Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects were widely featured in the "News in Conservation IIC" publication of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC).

As part of the Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects, university students teamed up with primary school students to hold a conservation workshop on the 20th and 21st of September, 2010, during the IIC Congress held for the first time in Istanbul with the cooperation of the Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum and the Sabancı Holding.
Primary school children were involved in the ‘Protecting Cultural Heritage and the Active Involvement of Youth” initiative undertaken by the Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects, and found the opportunity to conserve and restore the toys of their grandfathers under the supervision of scholars and subject matter experts at the IIC Congress in Istanbul.

The workshop held during the congress was widely covered in the "News in Conservation IIC" publication of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC).

Please click here for the story.

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