05/08/2026
Five high school students are representing Türkiye at one of the world’s most prestigious scientific gatherings following a selection and preparation process led by Sabancı University’s Foundations Development Directorate (FDD).
Five students selected from high schools in different cities across Türkiye are attending the Asian Science Camp, hosted by the University of Hong Kong from August 2 to 8, 2026. The delegation is accompanied by Onur Gülbay, a PhD student in Sabancı University’s Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program. The delegation includes Danyal Batuhan Kara and Ekin Mira Çavdar from VKV Koç High School, Melek Uysal and Efe Günhan from Private Ege High School, and Mert Aytemiz from METU Development Foundation Mersin High School.
A week with Nobel laureates
In Hong Kong, the students will meet their peers from approximately 30 countries. First held in 2007, the Asian Science Camp takes place in a different Asian host country each year and brings together hundreds of science enthusiasts aged 17 to 22 with Nobel laureates and leading researchers. The 2026 edition is hosted by the University of Hong Kong.
This year, the students will have the opportunity to listen to Aaron Ciechanover, Andre Geim, Ferenc Krausz, Gregory Paul Winter, and Omar M. Yaghi. Scientific lectures, discussion sessions, poster presentations, and cultural activities also form an important part of the program.
Intensive preparation at Sabancı before Hong Kong
Before their departure, the delegation attended a three-day preparation program at Sabancı University from July 30 to August 1. The program opened with Selmiye Alkan Gürsel’s seminar, “Graphene: From Carbon to the Nobel Prize.” Through this session, the students had the opportunity to learn about the research of Andre Geim, one of the scientists they would listen to in Hong Kong, even before beginning their journey. They then took part in a teamwork workshop led by Aslı Acar Geliş and Selen Avcı.
The second day focused on introducing the students to the work of other scientists featured in the camp program. Süphan Bakkal gave a seminar on Aaron Ciechanover’s research, Özlem Kutlu discussed the work of Gregory Paul Winter, and Çiğdem Altıntaş presented the research of Omar M. Yaghi. This preparation enabled the students to arrive at the camp with prior knowledge of the scientists and their fields of study.
The preparation program concluded with a three-dimensional design workshop led by Melih Yaylı and a campus tour. The team left the campus on the evening of August 1 to travel to Hong Kong.
A tradition continuing since 2007
Participated in the Asian Sicence Camp for the first time in 2007, Sabancı University’s Foundations Development Directorate has coordinated the selection of the Türkiye delegation and organized its participation.
The entire selection, preparation, and participation process is managed by FDD. Following a nationwide call to high schools, applications are reviewed by our academics, and shortlisted candidates are invited to online interviews. In addition to English proficiency, the selection process considers students’ interest in science, curiosity, and ability to work as part of a team.
Danyal Batuhan Kara, Melek Uysal, Mert Aytemiz, Efe Günhan, and Ekin Mira Çavdar will spend a week in Hong Kong working with peers from across Asia, listening to Nobel laureates, and representing Türkiye on this exciting scientific journey.
