The cooperation was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between the two institutions. The agreement lays the foundation for student exchange programs, joint research initiatives, co-supervised theses, and faculty collaboration. As part of the student exchange program, two students from Sabancı University's Materials Science and Nanoengineering and Computer Science programs will study at WPI during the 2025–2026 academic year, further deepening the collaborative ties between the institutions.

As part of this collaboration, Sabancı University has officially become a WPI Project Center, joining a global network of 77 WPI centers around the world. This structure enables undergraduate students at WPI to carry out interdisciplinary, community-engaged projects abroad, applying their academic knowledge to address pressing local challenges.

Currently, under the academic supervision of Köksal Mus (WPI), a cohort of 12 WPI students is conducting their Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQP) in Istanbul in cooperation with Sabancı University. This year's projects focus on a range of  pre and post-disaster topics including search-and rescue strategies, humanitarian logistics, and urban risk assessment, and are being carried out in coordination with local authorities and NGOs such as IBB, AKUT, Kızılay, and AFAD, as well as individuals like Nasuh Mahruki, the former president of the AKUT Association.

A Highlight Project: Survivor Tracking – A Wireless Approach for Rescuers

This project proposes a cost-effective, easy-to-deploy wireless system designed to help Search and Rescue (SAR) teams locate survivors by detecting mobile device signals beneath collapsed structures. In post-earthquake scenarios where communication infrastructure is often compromised, this technology offers a scalable solution to improve response time and increase survival rates.

The project is conducted by a multidisciplinary WPI student team:  

• Azura Simsek, BS and MS student in Robotics Engineering

• Clive Thompson, BS student in Computer Science, minor in Electrical & Computer Engineering

• Aksel Jensen, BS and MS student in Neuroscience, with studies in Computer Science and Bioinformatics

• Oscar Ivy, BS student in Aerospace and Robotics Engineering

Working together, the team is designing a prototype system that can be deployed by SAR teams in dense urban areas like Istanbul. The concept emphasizes portability, real-time feedback, and resilience under infrastructure failure conditions.  

Other Projects (WPI Student Teams):

• Recommend strategies to reduce the risk of catastrophe given a large seismic event within the city.

• Research strategies to optimize post disaster search and rescue efforts using data-driven strategies and international benchmarking.

• Optimizing pre and post disaster response and relief efforts to effectively support the affected populus.

This collaboration between Sabancı University and WPI exemplifies a mutual dedication to interdisciplinary education, global engagement, and addressing real-world challenges. Through such initiatives, Sabancı University continues to strengthen its dynamic role in innovative education and research, contributing meaningfully to science and society.

Welcome Lunch with the Dean

A welcome lunch was held for the WPI students currently conducting their projects at Sabancı University, hosted by Erkay Savaş, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. The event was attended by Köksal Mus (WPI), faculty members Hüsnü Yenigün (Vice Dean); Altuğ Tanaltay, IRO representatives as well as buddy students supporting the visiting group.

For detailed descriptions and project updates, please visit here