Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) has received grant funding under TÜBİTAK 1004 - Center of Excellence Support Program on The Technology Acquisition Roadmap, with a Proposal titled “NANOSIS”.

NANOSIS is a virtual cluster aiming to develop final products and by-products involving novel nanotechnological components, products, and systems for “fast, economical diagnosis and monitoring for the health sector.”

NANOSIS Platform consists of 15 projects under 5 different Research Programs has brought together 24 institutions and organizations and 106 researchers under the leadership of SUNUM. The Platform involves the development of miniaturized, easy-to-use, robust sensors at various levels of sensitivity suitable for industrial applications, that are based on nanomaterials.

The NANOSIS Platform which is one of the largest budget initiatives to be funded so far within the body of Sabancı University, was primarily designed at the intersection of “health and electronic components”. However, the outcomes of the 15 projects leading to different end products and byproducts, both horizontally and vertically, have the potential to be applied to different industrial sectors.

Specific prototypes that will be developed for rapid and economical diagnosis and monitoring include diagnostic kits, biosensors to be used in the field (at home, farm, field, and common use areas). The applications include determination of the type of contamination / infection by molecular methods for concepts such as preventive medicine or  health at home.

In addition to health-related products, the product prototypes to be developed are expected to create added value to a wide range of applications and commercialization areas, as well as to socio-economic, technological, ethical, and social reflections in the agriculture, food, automotive, defense, consumer electronics, building, and technical textile sectors.

The five research programs under the sub-titles of “Nanomaterials, Nanostructures and Systems”, aim to trigger the assimilation  of new technologies and increase competencies and skills with cross-disciplinary and cross sectoral collaboration leading to the development of  high technology products with high added-value:

Research Program 1 (Coordinator: Yeditepe University): Development of nanotechnological sensors for the detection of infectious agents in the liquid phase.

Research Program 2 (Coordinator: Arçelik A.Ş.): Development of nanotechnological sensors detecting contamination in aerosol and gas phases.

Research Program 3 (Coordinator: Kordsa Teknik Tekstil A.Ş.): Development of nanotechnological sensors using wearable technologies for monitoring health data.

Research Program 4 (Coordinator: SUNUM): Development of unique materials and functional surfaces for the detection of special agents at low concentrations.

Research Program 5 (Coordinator: Sabancı University): Development of protein-based microfluidic biochips for diagnosis.

TÜBİTAK 1004 Program

The TÜBİTAK 1004 Program aims to enable research infrastructures to specialize and become centers of excellence by collaborating with R&D / Design centers and public R&D units. It has nationally traceable targets in alignment with national targets and policies. Its goal is to support research programs with high commercialization potential.

Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) has released the eleventh issue of IICEC Energy Market Newsletter. 

Please click to read IICEC Energy Market Newsletter. 

Applications for the "Hakan Orbay Research Awards" which is organized by Sabancı Business School since 2013 in memory of Hakan Orbay are now open.

Deadline for submitting research papers is 31 July 2020. The winners will be announced on September 15, 2019.

The winner of Young Researcher Award will receive the reward of 10,000 Turkish Liras and the winner of PhD Student Award will receive 5.000 Turkish Liras. 

The aim of this annual award is to encourage young researchers to undertake original research in finance and microeconomics. Awards for 2019 presented to:

• Young Researcher Award:

Dr. Oğuzhan Karakaş, Cambridge University, Judge Business School with his paper “Coordinated Engagements”

• PhD Student Award:

Dr. Güner Velioğlu, University of Florida, Warrington College of Business with his paper “Why Are Commercial Loans So Sticky? The Effect of Private Information on Loan Spreads”

Applications must include one paper and the CV of the applicant. The first page of the paper should have an abstract. Papers and CVs can be in Turkish or English. Applications should be sent to orbayaward@sabanciuniv.edu in pdf or word format.

Award Jury
Benan Zeki Orbay, Istanbul Bilgi University 
İzak Atiyas, Sabancı University
Eren İnci, Sabancı University
Aziz Şimşir, Sabancı University
Koray Deniz Şimşek, Crummer Graduate School of Business, Rollins College
Melsa Ararat, Sabancı University
Yiğit Atılgan, Sabancı University

Coordinator: Burcu Albayrak, Sabancı University

For more informatiom, please visit the website https://sbs.sabanciuniv.edu/en/announcement-detail?nid=82243

Short Bio of Hakan Orbay:
After graduating from Ankara Science High School in 1979, Hakan Orbay received his undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics from Bogazici University in 1983. He obtained his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Calgary University and subsequently returned to Turkey to work in the Information Technology area of the banking sector between1988-1991. He kept close links with academia during those years and eventually went to the U.S. for his doctoral studies in 1991. After obtaining a Ph.D in Economics from Stanford University, Graduate School of Business, he worked as a faculty member at Koc University until 1999. Next, he joined the Sabancı School of Management during its establishment years and worked there as a faculty member until his untimely death in 2011. Hakan Orbay produced original research in microeconomics and finance and made important contributions to the establishment and development of the Sabancı School of Management, Istanbul, Turkey.

On the 16^th anniversary of his passing, late Sakıp Sabancı, the Honorary Chairman of Sabancı University will be commemorated with International Research Awards. 

To honor the will of late Sakıp Sabancı, the Honorary Chairman of Sabancı University, its Board of Trustees endowed the Sakıp Sabancı International Research Award in 2006 with the aims of encouraging prestigious research in social sciences, and promoting academic studies that can potentially attract intellectual attention to Turkey. In addition to essay awards, a Jury Prize was created in 2012, so as to recognize distinguished scholars, who have made a lifelong contribution to social sciences.

So far, studies on various topics ranging from Turkey’s economy to its international policy, from its history to social dynamics were acknowledged by the Sakıp Sabancı International Research Awards. The Awards proved to be a center of global attention by receiving more than 440 applications from 35 countries since its initiation 15 years ago.  To date, 41 essays and 8 scientists were awarded for developing ideas that are not only useful for Turkey but also make a world-class contribution to social sciences.

Assessed by an international jury panel consisting of independent members, who are the most competent experts in their respective fields, the research awards constitute a solid base for future social sciences research in Turkey.  

As of 2015, the award ceremony and the commemoration were combined into a single event with in order to create the tradition of honoring the memory of late Sakıp Sabancı with original studies in various fields of Social Sciences.

The IICEC Energy and Climate Research Review provides an organized overview of recent energy policy research. The Review includes 68 studies and papers that collectively address global energy security, affordability and sustainability and shed light on the energy debate by illuminating its complexities. With the gravity of the challenge in mind, the Review intends to capture the complexity of the energy debate from as many angles as possible bearing in mind that energy is a multi-disciplinary domain which requires in-depth analysis. 

The Review is organized by energy sectors and themes namely: fossil fuels, nuclear power, renewables, efficiency measures, energy technology and innovation, as well as climate policy and regional economies. We intend that the Review can efficiently provide energy professionals the benefits of many of the most important policy studies that they might not otherwise have the time to consider. We aim to foster to a wider appreciation of the global energy policy agenda by making these research studies more accessible. 

The articles and reports in this Review have been selected considering their worldwide recognition, relevance, inclusiveness, originality, and the level of contribution to the policy agenda. Rather than providing a conclusive assessment and dictation of set of energy policies, the Review provides the reader with an opportunity to approach and analyze the articles, reports and policy papers from different perspectives.

Professor Difiglio’s Comments on the IICEC Energy and Climate Research Review 

I was struck by the sheer volume of energy policy reports from many different organizations as well as the many new journals that have sprung up over the last several years focusing on energy research. It seemed to me that a service would be provided by selecting the most important studies, summarizing them in our own words and distilling the essential energy policy messages they contain. The guiding principle was to ask: “Why is this study important?” Most energy professionals, whether they be in industry or government, do not have the time to read these studies.  Even academics find themselves concentrating on their particular area of research. I hope that this audience, busy people in the energy field, will find our Research Review illuminating and useful.  University professors might also find it useful.  It would be a great resource for any course that includes a section on energy policy. 

Carmine Difiglio is the Director of the Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC). 

For further reading please click on the link below:

Executive Summary of IICEC Energy and Climate Research Review

Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum celebrates April 23, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day with children’s audiobooks read by the voice actor, writer, and presenter Yekta Kopan. 

Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum (SSM) celebrates April 23, National Sovereignty and Children’s Day with children’s books. With support from the Sabancı Foundation, the audio version of SSM’s series of children’s book have been re-recorded, now presenting the voice actor, writer, and presenter Yekta Kopan as the reader. 

The project includes the books “Ben Picasso” (I, Picasso), “Ben Venedik Taciri” (I, the Merchant of Venice), “Ben Dali” (I, Dali), “Ben Halı” (I, the Carpet), “Ben Kitap” (I, the Book), “Ben Cengiz Han” (I, Genghis Khan) and “Ben Rodin” (I, Rodin), all related to the Museum’s past exhibitions, as well as the book Ben Eserlerimi Koruyorum (I am Preserving My Works) in collaboration with the SSM Conservation Laboratory. Aiming to introduce art to children, who have not reached to reading age, the project also enables the viewers to see the illustrated pages of the books. 

Please click to download the books, which aim to provide children with information on artists’ life stories, artistic production, the historical context of the art collections as well as the operation of the Museum. 

The audiobooks and printed books are available only in Turkish.

The applications for TUBITAK 2244 Industrial PhD Programme in collaboration with Sabancı University and Turkey’s leading companies are open.

The TUBITAK 2244 Industrial PhD Programme scholars will receive 4.500 TL stipend per month and have opportunity to work in Turkey’s leading companies with 3 years of employment opportunity. 

The applicants may choose projects conducted with Şişecam, Roketsan, Ford OTOSAN, Hayat Kimya, Kastamonu Entegre, KORDSA, TEI, TUSAŞ companies by applying PhD programs including Computer Science & Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science and Nano Engineering Mechatronics Engineering, Electronics Engineering.

Sabancı University and SUNUM has achieved a great success with 19 cooperative projects funded by TUBİTAK within the 2244 Industrial PhD programme’s first year.

The scholars that accepted for the above-mentioned projects in 2019 term have started their studentship phase of the project. New applicants for these projects are expected to submit their applications for 2020-21 academic period by is April 27.

The deadline for applications: 27 April 2020

For detailed information: https://www.sabanciuniv.edu/en/tubitak-2244-industrial-phd-program

Blink Energy is the winner of PowerUp! Challenge’s Turkey Final which was organized in cooperation with EIT InnoEnergy and Sabancı University Inovent on April 14, 2020.  The Startup will represent Turkey at the international Grand Final of PowerUp!

Blink Energy got selected as Startup of the Year in Turkey in the country final of PowerUp! Startup Competiton organized in cooperation with EIT InnoEnergy and Sabancı University Inovent on April 14, 2020. Thecompetition was launched in January to find the most innovative startups, scale-ups and SME-s in Central Eastern Europe. Coming from 24 countries, out of a record number of 425 applications 362 startups qualified for participating in the tournament. In Turkey 11 startups made a run for the national title.

Blink Energy was founded to solve icing problem in power transmission lines.  The company has designed a product called Plectron which uses solar energy and stops icing on power transmission lines by creating vibration.  

National winners of the competition will run for the main awards in the international Grand Final, with financial prizes up to €65.000, the title of CEE Start-up of the Year, and valuable offerings from key partners like Amazon Web Services, Revolut or the SpeedUp Group. The initiative is also a way to secure millions of euros in investments and become part of EIT InnoEnergy’s network that offers money, know-how and an extended network of trusted partners to help businesses thrive and become successful globally.

Decision about the timing and venue of the international Grand Final will be made later depending on when restrictions, imposed by governments, are revoked in the region.

More information about the competition is available at:

https://powerup.innoenergy.com/

Equipped with the appropriate professional set-up, knowledge base and infrastructure for in-vitro diagnostic kits, Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) puts its resources at the service of private and public kit developers and antibody/biological agent producers who are actively involved in the combat against COVID-19.

SUNUM announced on its website and social media accounts that, with its national research infrastructure and all its strategic stakeholders, it is ready for all kinds of collaboration in the combat against COVID-19.  

Within the scope of its ongoing NANOSIS project, SUNUM is planning studies focused on simple, fast and affordable diagnostic testing for infectious diseases omit:”To develop nanotechnology based components, systems and original products for fast and economically feasible detection and tracing solutions for the health sector”. For this purpose, it has created a virtual collaboration platform with its 24 strategic partners ranging from preventive medical actions such as diagnostic kits, biosensors and home care to the need for molecular methods for the detection of agents harmful to human health.

Based on the fact that that the in-vitro kits originally designed for cancer diagnostics can be modified for use in the diagnosis of Covid-19 as part of the NANOSIS project, SUNUM officials stated that all entities and institutions that lack the necessary equipment for physicochemical and biological tests and production are invited to collaborate and use their infrastructure.

Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM)

Established in 2011 as a joint investment project by the Turkish Ministry of Development and Sabancı Foundation, SUNUM conducts interdisciplinary research in several fields including advanced materials, nano-biotechnology, nano-medicine, nano-electronics, nano-optics, micro-nano-fluids, micro-nano-electromechanical systems, renewable energy systems, 3D printing, biosensors and biomedical applications, food safety, and wireless broadband communication technologies.

By creating the first Chair for Search, Sabancı University builds the academic framework for the study of search, a pioneering activity of the business community. 

The Chair for Search, which will be led by School of Management faculty member Oğuz Babüroğlu, was introduced to the business community.

"In this new term, we have major breakthroughs in the pipeline."

The meeting was opened with speeches by the President of Sabancı University Yusuf Leblebici and the Chairperson of Sabancı University Board of Trustees Güler Sabancı. Yusuf Leblebici said that Sabancı University will make major breakthroughs in this new term. He said: "We will not be satisfied with ranking among the top universities in Turkey only, we will strive to be among the best in the world". Underlining that the Chair of Search in the field of Action Research is a step in this direction, Leblebicioğlu said that under the leadership of Oğuz Babüroğlu, the Chair for Search will be the driver for many breakthroughs by sharing its experiences with the academia, students and the business community.

"We created our first motto in a search conference"

Güler Sabancı underlined that Sabancı University is the first university ever to be created as the result of a search conference. She said that they coined the motto for the university "creating and developing together" in this first search conference. 

Oğuz Babüroğlu introduced the Chair for Search and its objectives.

As he was introducing the Chair for Search, Mr. Babüroğlu started his speech by defining the concept of "search". He said that search is a paradigm, an action research approach, a methodology, and a participative consultation. He also added that "search" involves causality and  a scientific approach.  Emphasizing that search requires a collective effort, Babüroğlu expressed that search produces results by blending the existing singular wisdoms to obtain mechanisms for shared wisdom.

Also, touching upon how action research compares to operational research he said: "Action research is a more behavioral based, collaborative, face-to-face model".  He said:" It captures reality with its dialog based approach and produces useful knowledge".