Graduate Eralp Şahin (CS 2017) is pursuing a master's degree on Computer Science and Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. We asked Eralp about his graduate education choices and his advice to prospective graduate applicants.

Interview: Melek Sarı

Eralp Şahin,  Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Computer Science and Engineering 2017 graduate

MS: Which university did you choose for your graduate degree? What are you working on?

EŞ: I am currently doing a master's degree on Computer Science and Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. My subject is Programming Languages and Compilers. Before coming here, I'd only taken a couple of courses on the subject at Sabancı.

MS: Why did you choose Pennsylvania State University?

EŞ: To be honest, it's because they offered me a scholarship. I applied to eight graduate schools, which is average.  I was accepted by four of those. I ultimately chose Penn State because a scholarship for a master's degree is rare. Also, the weather here isn't always hot, like in California.

“Don't underestimate yourself and hesitate to apply to good schools; you never know which ones will accept.”

MS: Can you talk about your application and acceptance process? What were the most influential factors?

EŞ: If you want to go abroad for graduate studies and do a simple internet search, you will come up with some requirements. Some of them are for screening only; for example, a good TOEFL score may be a requirement, but doesn't affect your chances of being accepted beyond a certain level. Nowadays, everyone wants to work on AI or Machine Learning in computer science. I looked up which schools did the most work in the field where I wanted to study, and applied to those schools, which I think improved my chances. The improvement in my GPA over the last years was also a great help. Important too are reference letters from your professors.

MS: Based on your experience, what advice would you give prospective graduates who plan to study abroad?

EŞ: I used to think that, because of my first years in school, it was too late for me to do a master's degree in a good school. Based on my experience, it's never too late. Don't just go after the names of schools: you will spend at least two years there. For instance, Penn State is in a small town called "State College", which is refreshingly peaceful after living in Istanbul. Finally, don't underestimate yourself and hesitate to apply to good schools; you never know which ones will accept.

Collaboration Space Workshops continue in March.

Collaboration Space March Workshops

CoSpace General Usage and Safety Training

8 March, 12 March, 14 March, 18 March, 22 March, 26 March, 28 March 2019

at 13:00 

Starts with the introduction to the space and usage, continues with occupational health safety training.

Please click to register.

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3D Print Workshop

7 March, 13 March, 19 March, 27 March 2019

at 10:40

Giving a general idea behind the 3D printing technology and how to use it continued with 3D printing slicing and learning how to print.

Please click to register.

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Soldering Workshop

7 March, 13 March, 21 March, 29 March 2019

at 14:00

Basic soldering techniques will be shown for soldering pcb circuits and electronic components. Attendees will be able to practice their newly learned skills aftermath.

Please click to register.

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Introduction to Video Editing with Adobe Premiere

11 March 2019

at 14:40 

In this workshop fundamentals of how to use Adobe Premiere will be shown as well as how to edit a video in  basic sense.

Please click to register.

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Introduction to Arduino with SÜRK

12 March 2019

at 20:00

In this workshop some basic electronic components used with arduino will be introduced and with these components starter projects will be implemented with arduino.

Please click to register.

Graduate Nurdan Erdem (BIO 2017, EE 2018) chose the Institute of Science and Technology Austria for her PhD. We spoke with Nurdan about her school choices and her current studies, and she told us her story to inspire other students who wish to pursue an education abroad. 

Interview: Melek Sarı

Nurdan Erdem, Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering (2017), Computer Science and Engineering double major 2018 graduate

MS: Which university did you choose for your graduate degree? What have you been going through?

NE: I started a PhD at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria in Fall 2018. This is an institute specializing on natural sciences and computer sciences. It is different from other PhD programs in Europe. Instead of being accepted to a project or a laboratory, you are accepted to a school. Similar to the freedom to choose academic programs in Sabancı, here you can pursue a PhD in any subject you want, provided you take some additional courses. You rotate between projects led by at least three different professors in your first year, which helps you to choose the subject and advisor you would be most comfortable with.

MS: What were the reasons you chose Institute of Science and Technology Austria?

NE: The major reason was its tenet of interdisciplinary research, which was what I was used to at Sabancı.

MS: What are you working on?

NE: I haven't chosen my PhD project yet, but I want to work in Computational & Systems Biology. In my first rotation project, I worked in the Synthetic Biology lab on the evolution of transcription terminators. In my second rotation project in bioinformatics, I am now working on determining the genes in the gender chromosomes of naked mole-rats. 

 “I did projects with many different professors at Sabancı, and their letters of reference were a major factor in my acceptance.”

MS: What reasons other than academic achievement were factors in your admission?

The major factor in my PhD acceptance was the paid internship I completed in the summer of 2016 on "Mathematical Modeling of Evolution". I did projects with many different professors at Sabancı, and their letters of reference were a major factor in my acceptance. That is why I recommend PhD candidates to focus on their compulsory summer internship, and take part in research projects with their professors at Sabancı.

The works of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences member and photography artist Murat Germen were chosen for a digital arts book titled “Theories in Digital Composite Photographs: 12 Artists and Their Work".  Author Yihui Huang's book is published by the worldwide publisher Routledge. 

As creation of digital composites grows in popularity and influence, this book is the first to integrate a philosophical and theoretical understanding of this unique art form. Featuring a wide range of international artists, this volume is both insightful and inspirational for student and seasoned professional alike. 

Theories in Digital Composite Photographs: 12 Artists and Their Work presents a theoretical investigation of digital composite photographs through philosophical exploration of artists’ concepts of reality. 

With an international cohort of contemporary digital composite artists, the book presents twelve cases studies on artists’ motivation, production process, and the relation of their worldview to theoretical interpretation. Author Yihui Huang situates each artists’ work in the context of photographic theory and western aesthetics, including realism, expressionism, formalism and postmodernism. 

Commenting on his inclusion in an international group of artists, Murat Germen said, “I never met Yihui Huang; she contacted me online. In my courses, I teach the works of three other artists who are in the book as well: Thomas Kellner, Alessandro Bavari and Matt Siber. It feels great to be included in an international book with artists who comprise part of my teaching material. Author Yihui Huang did not just reprint the works of the artists, but she made email interviews with them as well. By doing so, she enabled us to express our conceptual approach and position. The final result is an informative 14-page article composed of my works and the interview." 

The artists in the book are, in order of appearance: Thomas Kellner, Koya Abe, Murat Germen, Jaime Kennedy, Xiao Hui WANG, Tom Chambers, Tom Bamberger, Maggie Taylor, Kelli Connell, Alessandro Bavari, Leigh Merrill, and Matt Siber. 

 *What is composite photography? Composite photography is a form of digital editing where frames captured over a period of time at different places are layered on to each other to create an altered image. 

https://www.routledge.com/Theories-in-Digital-Composite-Photographs-12-Artists-and-Their-Work/Huang/p/book/9781138719187

The Sabancı University Big Data Visualization and Analytics Lab (BAVLAB), in association with SAS, a world leader in advanced analytics and artificial intelligence that manages joint programs with the Business Analytics Master's Program, and the Informatics Foundation of Turkey (TBV) launched the Digital Technology Developers Project for "Turkey's digital intelligence to development".

The Digital Technology Developers Project is planned to be expanded to universities that currently cooperate with SAS, most notably Sabancı and Boğaziçi Universities.

Saying that their intent as a university was to train a generation of data scientists that both create and actively use the artificial intelligence techniques and applications of the future in order to keep Turkey at the forefront of digital technology worldwide, Sabancı University Big Data Visualization and Analytics Lab (BAVLAB) Director Professor Burçin Bozkaya continued, "SAS provides the infrastructure and software applications that enable us to implement this project and train a qualified workforce. Thanks to their support, the young minds that we educate today graduate equipped with the capability to contribute to world-class projects, and become prized members of the workforce."

Who will be Digital Technology Developers?

The project aims to reach professionals with university degrees. The program will be open to new graduates, professionals with several years of experience who wish to improve themselves or change careers, and will help them embark upon a new and exciting journey. The second target audience is university students. The program is designed to help students get a head start in their careers. Finally, the project also seeks to reach primary and secondary school students. The program designed for this segment is specially tailored to introduce them to the digital world of the future at a young age. It is expected that children who develop their digital capabilities from the seed will contribute more effectively to the future of their country.

Sabancı University Corporate Governance Forum Director Melsa Ararat was elected to the academic membership of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Istanbul Woman Entrepreneurs Council on behalf of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry.

Commenting on her new position, Melsa Ararat said, “Platforms that enable academic and industry to engage in dialog are precious. I am delighted to be nominated and elected as a member to the TOBB Istanbul Woman Entrepreneurs Council. We know from research that woman entrepreneurs face significant obstacles, yet having more entrepreneurial women means better employment opportunities offered to them by woman executives, which helps gender equality by enabling more women to be a part of the workforce and increasing women's direct involvement in economic decisions."

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) established TOBB Woman Entrepreneurs Councils in 81 provinces of Turkey to improve both the number and the qualifications of woman entrepreneurs in Turkey, and to nurture an entrepreneurial culture among women as well. The TOBB Istanbul WEC is composed of members from the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, İMEAK Chamber of Maritime Commerce, and Istanbul Commodity Exchange. TOBB Istanbul WEC was established in 2009 under the guidance of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. 

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering Program faculty member Bahattin Koç was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Society of Biofabrication (ISBF).

The International Society of Biofabrication (ISBF) Board of Directors consists of 12 biofabrication specialists from various countries. ISBF Board of Directors members are directly responsible for adopting resolutions related to the activities of the ISBF, and for implementing decisions made by various committees. Bahattin Koç will serve as an ISBF Board of Directors Member between 2019 and 2022. 

ISBF is the only international society that focuses on biofabrication. The purpose of the society is to encourage scientific and technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. 

http://biofabricationsociety.org/about/board-members/

About Bahattin Koç

Bahattin Koç and his group have been working on three-dimensional tissue and organ design and artificial tissue/organ production, Additive Manufacturing, 3D printers, nano-micro production, and computer-aided design and production at Sabancı University since 2010. With his work on tissue engineering and 3D tissue and organ printing, Bahattin Koç has received the Elginkan Foundation Technology Award, Turkish Heart Foundation “Associate Professor Edip Kürklü Award”, and the Elsevier Most Cited Article (CAD), UB STOR Inventor and UB Rifler awards. He has over 90 publications including essays, book chapters, conference papers and posters. He is among the editors of many journals in his field.

The primary objective of the studies led by Professor Bahattin Koç and his team is to use the patient's own regular cells or stems cells to print an exact replica of a tissue, and even an entire organ. Transplanting a replica of the patient's own natural organ or tissue eliminates the risk of transplant rejection.

By using the 3D bio-printing technique of their own development, Dr. Bahattin Koç and his team were the first in the world to produce artificial large vessel sections like the aorta with live cells. Prof. Koç and his team referred to medical imaging to design an anatomically-accurate aorta and produced it using their innovative 3D bioprinting method. This was the first time live cells were used in a self-supporting 3D bio-printing technique to make an anatomically-accurate replica of a large vessel section like the aorta. This project was featured on BBC Horizon, a program that covers the most advanced and groundbreaking scientific efforts and technologies around the world.

About International Society of Biofabrication - ISBF

The International Society for Biofabrication (ISBF) was founded in 2010 and is a scientific and professional Society, which promotes advances in Biofabrication research, development, education, training, and medical and clinical applications. The ISBF represents the international Biofabrication community and organizes the annual Biofabrication Conference. The journal Biofabrication (IF: 6.84) is the official publication of ISBF.

http://biofabricationsociety.org/about/board-members/

About Biofabrication: Biofabrication is the general name given to the manufacture of advanced biological systems (artificial tissue and organs), medical therapeutic products, and non-medical biological systems.

http://biofabricationsociety.org/about/

Organized by Sabancı University in association with the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Women in Games Turkey and British Council, "Hackathon at the Museum", the world's first hackathon focusing on women and art, took place at the Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum on February 16 and 17, 2019 with young women who dream of a future in gaming. In the 24-hour event, students coded their own games under the theme of "Gaming is Art" inspired by the Russian Avant-Garde exhibition.

The competition was organized by Women in Games Turkey, an organization established to encourage women's participiation in a 138 billion-dollar industry with their innovative and creative ideas, and brought together 44 young women, students over the age of 18, together at the Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum the Seed on February 16 and 17. 

Hackathon at the Museum began with the introductory remarks of Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Dean Canan Atılgan, Women in Games Turkey Founder Simay Dinç, and Women in Games UK CEO Marie Claire Isaaman, and continued with executives of global game companies sharing their experiences with participants. 

The world's first hackathon focusing on women and art

Young women were inspired by the "Russian Avant-Garde. Dreaming a Future through Art and Design" exhibition when designing their own games at the world's first hackathon focusing on women and art.

Gaming Is Art

Students of computer engineering, administration, chemical engineering, graphic design, visual arts, and digital game design from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Denizli, Bodrum and Antalya joined Hackathon at the Museum for 24 hours of non-stop game design in groups of 4 to 6, where they made their own interpretations of the event's theme "Gaming is Art".

Games designed by 44 students in 8 groups were evaluated by a jury panel composed of Bloomberg HT News Coordinator Ali Çağatay, Netmarble IT Operations Manager Can Altunöz, Gaming Istanbul Director Cevher Eryürek, author of “Herkes için Oyunlaştırma [Gamification for Everyone]” Ercan Altuğ Yılmaz, Angel Investor Hande Enes, and Unilever IT Director Şirin Aktaş according to the criteria of design, technical achievement and creativity.

The winner of the event was team 4FUN with Aylin Görgün, Ece Pilevneli, Elif Özoğlu and Gözde Aça, and their game PickOne inspired by Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square. 4FUN team member Aylin Görgün said, “We intended to let people make choices within their own realities and know themselves better." The team's prize was a Unity Pro game engine.

Other entrants of Hackathon at the Museum were Gözde Berberoğlu Özen, Fatma Alsharief, Aycan Karataş, Burcu Kiper, Eylül Atılgan and Ece Yenmez in team Quick Dirty with Finding Yourself; Ayşe Nur Ela, Deniz Çağlı, Dilek Ay, Meltem Gülçin Karadayı and Merve Gonca Dönmez in team Liquid Cats with Traveling Woman; Beyzanur Bektaş, Hanife Yılmaz, Esra Ölmez and Gülce Naz Özgün in team Gamism with Figaropagos; Başak Satıral, Şevval Simay Doyuk, Dilara Göral, Aybike Ağılönü, Raziyye Kuzu and Hande Ulca in team Persephone with Remains; Ece Sefercioğlu, Doğa Kaymaz, Yaren Sarı, Elif Pajo, Cansu Polat, Ceren Özer and Didem Kübra Atila in team 2.3D with Sedna; and Elif Can Özer, Chuan Wang, Senem Aksakal, Ece Seyrek Hasdoğan and Müberra Kablan in team Anka with Reflection. 

Erasmus + Exchange Study Mobility Applications for 2019-2020

2019-2020 Academic Year Erasmus + Exchange Study Programs application period has started.

Online Application Starts: 04.02.2019 @9am – Ends: 01.03.2019 @4pm.

For eligibility, application rules, agreements list and other details, please click.

We remember our Founding President Tosun Terzioğlu with everlasting love, respect and longing on the third anniversary of his passing.

On June 26, 2009, Tosun Terzioğlu had delivered the 2008-2009 Academic Year Closing Lecture. In a lighthearted lecture about his attitude towards life and thoughts on education, which was aptly titled “My Idea of Education” he had said:

“…. I never let sorrows carry me into apathy. I did not back down; I worked, I fought, I tried. In time, I began to dream of a university. A place where, instead of teaching students schools of thought that are long past their expiry date, we would filter everything through the rational mind, question the known, and look up more. A university free of the thick walls of disciplines, of discrimination, which would thrive as a forum of free debate. As luck would have it, others also had the idea of a different university.

The late Hacı Sabancı, Sakıp Sabancı, and my colleague for twelve years, Güler Sabancı… Together, we shaped and molded our dreams into existence. Our founding faculty arrived with their own dreams, joined us in their pursuit, and we started to build something out of those dreams. But it was in October 1999, when I saw our first students gather around at the Information Center, that I finally realized that our dreams had come true. Dream on - it's good for you!”

Please click below for the full Closing Lecture by Tosun Terzioğlu.