03/08/2026
The Summer Project Showcase, organized in collaboration between Sabancı University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was held at Sabancı University's Karaköy Minerva Han. The event, which showcased projects developed by WPI students in collaboration with institutions and organizations in Türkiye, aiming to create social impact, also included projects contributed by Sabancı University PURE Program students.
The program strengthened the developing academic collaboration between Sabancı University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute students, while also highlighting a culture of collaboratively producing solutions to real-life problems. The event was attended by Sabancı University's Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Erkay Savaş, and the Dean of Sabancı Business School, Ayşegül Toker, as well as project sponsors, academics, and students.
Projects ranging from disaster management to digital solutions
Students from Sabancı University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute shared their projects, developed within the scope of Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQPs) and Major Qualifying Projects (MQPs) conducted during the summer term, with the participants. The studies, coordinated by Sabancı Business School faculty members Prof. Dr. Raha Akhavan and Dr. Altuğ Tanaltay, addressed various topics such as the management and monitoring of earthquake volunteers, the creation of post-disaster communication infrastructure, digital coordination of humanitarian aid logistics, disaster victim information management, the development of volunteer coordination, and digital twin applications to support search and rescue activities in earthquake zones in Türkiye. The final student presentation of the program introduced a collaborative research study examining corporate social responsibility communication during disaster periods through social media analytics.
The program concluded with a panel and award ceremony.
Following the student presentations, a panel titled "Collective Action to Solve Complex Crises" was held. The panel, featuring Melike Akkaya (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality), Enes Sarıtürk (AKOM), Saydun Gökşin (AKUT Foundation), Ahmet Türker (Disaster Platform), and Elif Özbakan (WHR), addressed collaborative approaches to finding solutions to complex problems encountered during disasters and crises. The awards ceremony and cocktail reception held at the end of the program brought together students, academics, alumni, and project stakeholders, marking the closing of the event.
Throughout the Summer Project Showcase, participants had the opportunity to closely examine student projects. The program strengthened academic collaboration between Sabancı University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute by bringing together students, academics, and project stakeholders. The event provided a platform for sharing research that solves real-life problems, while also reflecting Sabancı University's vision of strengthening its research university identity through international academic collaborations.
