IPC Climate Cafe Talks continued with "Global Climate Change and Emissions Trading: Recommendations for a Green Economy Design"

In order to improve the effectiveness of policies like Emissions Trading System, understanding the preferences of the institutions to be affected should be a priority

The March meeting of the Climate Cafe Talk series, a bi-monthly event held by the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center, featured Istanbul Bilgi University Environment, Energy and Sustainability Research and Application Center Director Associate Professor Ayşe Uyduranoğlu. The research team discussed their "Green Implementation Practices Index" and recommendations about emissions trading and green economy design based on their ongoing studies. 

The March meeting of the Climate Cafe Talk series, a bi-monthly event featuring scientists and academics working on Climate Change to cover climate change-related issues from politics to atmospheric sciences, economics and psychology, was held by the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center. 

The speaker in the March Climate Change Talk of the series was Associate Professor Ayşe Uyduranoğlu, Director of the Istanbul Bilgi University Environment, Energy and Sustainability Research and Application Center, whose lecture was titled "Global Climate Change and Emissions Trading: Recommendations for a Green Economy Design". 

The speakers also discussed a project supported by TÜBİTAK and the support provided to the Emissions Trading System. Based on the "Green Implementation Practices Index" designed by Istanbul Bilgi University Environment, Energy and Sustainability Research and Application Center Director Associate Professor Ayşe Uyduranoğlu and Catholic University of Portugal Faculty Member Assistant Professor Zahide Eylem Gevrek, recommendations were made on emissions trading and green economy design.

Some highlights of the presentation:

“The World Economic Forum named failure in fighting global climate change one of the top five threats to the world's economies. Meanwhile, Paris Accords emphasize the critical importance of keeping global warming limited to 2°C by the end of the year. To achieve this objective, not only developed countries, but also developing countries, including Turkey, must take responsibility. Carbon pricing and emissions trading are among policies that may prove effective in fighting climate change. Based on available data, the “Green Implementation Practices Index” shows that companies which prioritize ecological sustainability and green practices are more likely to support emissions trading. Since emissions trading is a new policy instrument, businesses also want it to be designed as to minimize uncertainties during rollout. “

Turkish Policymakers: Climate Change Policy

Ayşe Uyduranoğlu continued that the Climate Change Action Plan prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning in 2011 was the most extensive study completed to date, and emphasized the necessity for building an emissions trading system (ETS) in Turkey and linking it to other global/regional systems, while the report issued by TÜSİAD in 2016 called policymakers to consider the preferences of businesses when designing an ETS.

Emissions Trading System Preferences of Global Industries

Ayşe Uyduranoğlu said that the survey they conducted with 1250 individuals in 23 provinces was the first study on industrial ETS based on preferences, explaining that they adopted a holistic approach as the issue concerned the entire industry, and explored what properties a carbon tax would need to have in order to garner acceptance.

Uyduranoğlu continued that the study, based on choice modeling, was conducted in 13 Turkish provinces including Istanbul, Bursa and Gaziantep with 404 companies operating in the glass, steel, cement, iron, energy, paper, metal and ceramics industries.  According to the responses given to choices composed of different combinations, businesses prefer an ETS where:

l  Past emissions volumes are taken as baseline for each company;

l  Quotas have an expiry of 3 years;

l  Businesses can purchase as much as they want;

l  Fluctuations in quota prices are regulated by the government.

Uyduranoğlu concluded that, since ETS is a system that is not yet implemented, businesses would prefer that the design minimizes uncertainties in the early phases of implementation. She explained that the pilot implementation of ETS in the European Union (2005-2007) led to considerable improvement in the system based on experience. 

About Ayşe Uyduranoğlu

Ayşe Uyduranoğlu has a bachelor's degree from the Istanbul University Faculty of Economics. She pursued a PhD in economics at the University of Exeter from 1994 to 1999. Since 2000, she has been a member of the Istanbul Bilgi University Faculty of Administration. She is also the director of the Environment, Energy and Sustainability Research and Application Center (ÇESUAM). Uyduranoğlu has published articles in environmental economics in national and international journals. Her areas of interest are environment taxes, sustainable transport, climate change, and green budgets. 

About Climate Cafe Talks 

Climate Cafe Talks was launched by the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center in the 2017-2018 academic year. So far, the series held 5 events and received 200 guests, and plans to hold another 5 events in the 2018-2019 academic year. 

The bi-monthly event is a venue for scientists and academics working on climate-related issues to to reveal and discuss their work. Climate Cafe Talks provides an interdisciplinary environment to cover climate change-related issues from politics to atmospheric sciences, economics and psychology. 

On Wednesday, March 13, Sabancı University received a delegation of executive-level visitors from ASPİLSAN Enerji A.Ş., one of the leading Turkish energy storage and solution providers, including General Manager Ferhat Özsoy.

ASPİLSAN General Manager Ferhat Özsoy and Sabancı University President Professor Yusuf Leblebici

Sabancı University President Professor Yusuf Leblebici and Vice President of Research Professor Mehmet Yıldız provided an extensive briefing to the ASPİLSAN delegation about the research activities of the university. The visit continued with a tour of laboratories, where the ASPİLSAN delegation received more information about the work done in SUNUM and FENS from faculty members involved in various research projects. 

ASPİLSAN General Manager Ferhat Özsoy said that the visit was the first step towards intensive collaboration between Sabancı University and ASPİLSAN in the near future, adding that preparations for the signing of a collaboration protocol were underway.

The Sabancı University School of Management hosted a meeting of the EMBA Consortium for Global Innovation, of which its EMBA (Executive MBA) Program is a member.

Representatives of 11 universities from 10 countries convened at the Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum on February 25 and 26, 2019. Representatives provided information about their respective schools and EMBA programs.

The first day of the meeting included a review of 2018 and discussion of 2019 targets. Representatives shared best practices and experiences from their schools and discussed new courses that could be added to their programs. Also on the agenda were cultural activities, alumni relations and risk management as part of the program.

Sabancı University School of Management faculty member and EMBA Program Coordinator Ahmet Esen said, "It was strongly confirmed that the EMBA Consortium is a significant academic and cultural exchange program that improves the international recognition and prestige of Sabancı University and other members of the consortium all around the world, and underpins academic development in these institutions."

About EMBA Consortium for Global Innovation

As one of the international cooperation programs of the Sabancı University School of Management's EMBA Program, the EMBA Consortium allows candidates to visit one of the 11 schools in the consortium for one week, gaining firsthand knowledge of the history, culture and business environment of the host country. 

The consortium is composed of Sabancı University, Bologna Business School (Bologna, Italy), COPPEAD Graduate School of Business (Rio de Janerio, Brazil), Cranfield School of Management (Cranfield, UK), ESAN Business School (Lima, Peru), The Alvah H. Chapman, Jr., Graduate School of Business (Miami, US), Indian Institute of Management (Ahmadabad, India), Keio Business School (Yokohama, Japan), The Moscow International Higher Business School (Moscow, Russia), The Lucas Graduate School of Business (California, US) and University of Stellenbosch Business School (Cape Town, South Africa).

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/