Sabancı University participated in the Times Higher Education Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSP) 2025 held in Istanbul on June 16–19, 2025. Bringing together universities, public institutions, the private sector, and civil society representatives on a global scale, the congress provided an important platform to discuss common solutions in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Two faculty members represented Sabancı University as panelists at the event. Prof. Dr. Senem Aydın Düzgit from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences evaluated the role of universities in creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban solutions in collaboration with local governments, communities, and industry in the session entitled “What are the key factors for successful university-city engagements?”
Assoc. Burcu Saner Okan spoke at the panel entitled “Collaboration between academia and industry to drive innovation in sustainable energy” and explained the interdisciplinary collaborations that Sabancı University has developed with industry in the field of sustainable energy and the contribution of these partnerships to the fight against the climate crisis.
An important international cooperation step was also taken on behalf of Sabancı University within the scope of the congress. With the strategic partnership agreement signed between Sabancı University and City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), the two institutions aim to establish a long-term and multidimensional cooperation in the fields of research, education, and technology. The agreement covers mutual exchange programs between academic and administrative staff and graduate students, joint doctoral consultancies, joint publications, and sharing of research outputs.
The signing ceremony was held with the participation of Sabancı Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Güler Sabancı and CityUHK Council Chair Michael Ngai. The cooperation signed by Sabancı University President Prof. Dr. Yusuf Leblebici and CityUHK President Prof. Dr. Freddy Boey will bring together Sabancı University's expertise with CityUHK’s, especially in the fields of advanced materials, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
The aim of the projects to be developed within the scope of the cooperation is to transform Istanbul and Hong Kong into resilient city models.
This valuable collaboration stands out as an important step in our determination to increase our global impact, strengthen our knowledge production through partnerships, and contribute to society