28/08/2026
Young scientists representing Türkiye returned from the Asian Science Camp 2026 in Hong Kong after a week of lectures, hands-on activities, international teamwork and scientific exchange, bringing home an award to celebrate.
Coordinated by Sabancı University’s Foundations Development Directorate (FDD), the Türkiye delegation joined more than 300 students from nearly 30 countries and regions at the University of Hong Kong from August 2 to 8, 2026. The delegation consisted of 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. They were accompanied and mentored throughout the camp by Onur Gülbay, a PhD student in Sabancı University’s Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program. Throughout the week, the students attended talks by leading scientists including Nobel Laureates Aaron Ciechanover, Sir Andre Geim, Ferenc Krausz and Sir Gregory Paul Winter, followed by small-group dialogue sessions that gave them the opportunity to interact more closely with the speakers.
Melek Uysal represented Türkiye in the opening ceremony, where each country was represented by one student.
Each member of the six-person Türkiye delegation contributed to the week through learning, teamwork, representation and mutual support. They returned from Hong Kong after collaborating with students from around the world, representing Türkiye and sharing in an international award.
The program also included hands-on activities ranging from underwater robotics and chemistry to 3D food printing, while students worked in international teams to develop scientific posters projects.
The week culminated in poster presentations and the closing ceremony, where Mert Aytemiz and his international team received an “Honorary Mention”.
Before travelling to Hong Kong, the students took part in a three-day pre-camp program at Sabancı University, where they attended seminars and preparation sessions designed to support both the scientific and collaborative dimensions of the camp. FDD thanks all our colleagues and valued instructors who contributed to the pre-camp program and supported the delegation throughout the process.
Sabancı University, through its FDD, has coordinated Türkiye’s participation in the Asian Science Camp for many years, with each delegation returning with new experiences, international connections and achievements of its own. Continuing to create these opportunities for young people remains a responsibility we are proud to carry forward.
