04/09/2025
Zaynab Mahnoor Rumman: "Happy 25th Anniversary!"
We spoke with Zaynab Mahnoor Rumman, who has amassed wonderful memories during her three years at our university and who feels fortunate to have the opportunity to explore, covering everything from her future goals to her thoughts on campus life.
Can you introduce yourself? Which faculty/program are you studying in?
My name is Zaynab, and I’m a 3rd year Psychology undergraduate student from Pakistan.
Are there any clubs or sports teams that you are involved in at the university?
I’m not involved in any sports teams directly; my friends and I play for fun when we have the time! I was a part of the international student’s club in my first year, but nothing else since then.
What would you say about the “freedom to choose a program”, “libertarian approach”, “interdisciplinary education approach”, and the “Civic Involvement Projects” course that was a compulsory course in your first year as the features that distinguish Sabancı University from other universities? How did these make a difference for you?
The freedom to choose a program gives you a lot of comfort and room to explore. You can join university with a path in mind, but have the opportunity to switch to a completely new one. Studying a little bit of everything in your first year can really help you explore options you didn’t previously consider; many people think it’s an obstacle in the way of their predetermined major, but it’s how I met my favorite teacher through a humanities arts course and tried, and thoroughly enjoyed, coding for the first time! I’m grateful Sabanci University gave me the time to consider what I really want to study; I know others aren’t as lucky.
The CIP course was my favorite one in my first year! I got to discuss controversial topics during my small-group class without worry. I visited a dog shelter where I cared for pups and adult dogs as my chosen volunteer work. Playing with puppies to pass a course, who wouldn’t love that?
What do you think about the opportunities offered to you in terms of research at Sabancı University?
Sabanci University provides the basic research opportunities one would expect of a university. The Program for Undergraduate Research is offered every semester and has had psychology-related opportunities ever since I joined. I appreciate that students are welcome to approach teachers directly regarding their research. I’m glad that the university doesn’t make it difficult to get research experience on-site, so long as you put in the effort to ask around!
What are your plans after graduating from the university with the “unique” education you received from our university and the knowledge and skills you acquired? How do you dream of contributing to both the business world and society?
My current plans are to do a Masters in a psychology-related field. I hope to contribute to the business sector by helping with things that would be of actual benefit; I don’t know what form that will take in the future, but I’m excited for when it comes. My idea of contributing to society is being a kind person, whether that’s smiling at a stranger or taking on an ambitious project, and raising kind people.
How would you describe the path Sabancı University has covered in 25 years, based on what you have observed and learned?
For being as young as it is, I sincerely believe Sabanci University has come a long way. It has provided research opportunities, made an effort to hire well-qualified teachers, created useful facilities, given generous scholarship opportunities, and continues to create ties with other universities around the world for SU’s exchange program.
Our university has celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Can we get your 25th anniversary message?
Happy 25th anniversary! Thank you for providing me with a campus that’s always been a calming bubble away from the city noise, and introducing me to faculty members who I know will be part of my journey for years to come.
What are your dreams and predictions for our university for the next 25 years?
I hope Sabanci University’s progress in the next 25 years is nothing short of its progress so far. Given that all the academics are in English, I’m excited to see the clubs, events, and activities on campus become even more international-student friendly. I’m hopeful that student housing will expand to help more comfortably accommodate undergraduate students.
I predict that the university will make even more of a name for itself, improving in the sectors that need attention, and expanding to create even more connections with other top-tier universities around the world while maintaining quality teaching.
I hope that the university, through its journey, remembers that its students are, and should always be, their main concern, and that making students’ lives easier in as many ways as possible, both big and small, will only strengthen the connection and loyalty the students have to Sabanci University.
