Istanbul Technical University Awards were Presented in an Enthusiastic Ceremony

Istanbul Technical University Awards, launched in ITU’s 250th anniversary, rewarded scientists who stand out with their original works in the fields of science, technology and art. The award ceremony held at ITU Maçka Campus on the evening of January 20 brought together many important names from the academia and higher education community. ITU Awards, which emphasized the theme of sustainability, were presented to 22 scientists in 10 different categories.

In its 250th anniversary, Istanbul Technical University launched a distinguished award competition to encourage scientists who focus on social contribution, care about new technologies and university-industry cooperation, and use digitalization with an innovative perspective. Istanbul Technical University Awards, which were given for the first time this year, rewarded project, patent and product-oriented studies and researchers who have served the scientific world in education and social fields.

A special ceremony at ITU Maçka Campus

ITU Awards Ceremony took place on Friday, January 20, at ITU Maçka Campus Mustafa Kemal Auditorium with the participation of prominent figures from the academic world. In addition to CoHE President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, rectors of universities in Istanbul, academics and scientists were present at the ceremony.

At the beginning of the award ceremony, ITU 250th Anniversary Polyphonic Student Choir conducted by Lect. Fidan Kurt Kasapbaşı gave an unforgettable musical feast to the participants. Istanbul Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu addressed the participants with his opening speech.

The beginning of a beautiful tradition that will strengthen the motivation to become a scientist

In his speech, ITU Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu wished that Istanbul Technical University Awards will establish a long-lasting tradition of rewarding science and scientific thought and said, “Rewarding innovations and achievements has a very important place in the research and service culture of Istanbul Technical University. The reflections of this support on our students and academics, whose work we have rewarded on various occasions as ITU, have been extremely positive and encouraging.” Prof. Dr. Koyuncu stated that they implemented ITU Awards with this perspective and emphasized the importance of creating a scientific motivation.

Prof. Dr. Koyuncu shared the story of the beginning of ITU Awards with the words, “We wanted to start such a beautiful award tradition alongside many other activities in 2023, when we celebrate our 250th anniversary as the Technical University,” and gave the following information: “At ITU Awards, we intend to determine a theme each year and to present a ‘Special Award’ each year in the name of one of our professors who has made great contributions to ITU.”

A first from ITU, the university of firsts: Sustainability-themed ITU Awards

Istanbul Technical University, which made a fresh start with its vision “Transform the Future” in the 250th anniversary of its establishment, saw 2021 as the “Breakthrough Year” and 2022 as the “Year of Transformation”. The university declared 2023 as the “Year of Sustainability”. ITU Awards, given for the first time, emphasized the theme of “sustainability” as a reflection of this vision.

The aim of ITU Awards

The aims of ITU Awards are summarized in three points:

• To reward researchers who have made significant contributions to the development of their fields, who have made a social contribution with their scientific excellence and/or application-oriented research.
• To reward people who have established university-industry cooperation models for technology development and have carried out project, patent and product-oriented studies in this field, and who have served the scientific world in education and social fields.
• To reward academicians who are identified so as to improve and encourage teaching activities, taking into account their contributions to education and teaching processes.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa İnan emphasis at ITU Awards

Prof. Dr. Mustafa İnan, the legendary rector of Istanbul Technical University, was commemorated on the occasion of his 112th birthday. Prof. Dr. Mustafa İnan Special Award was given in the “Special Award” category of ITU Awards. Prof. Dr. Mustafa İnan, who is also the subject of Oğuz Atay’s “The Novel of a Scientist”, has a very important role in creating the ITU tradition.

22 awards in a total of 10 categories

The ITU Awards Commission subjected the applications to a rigorous evaluation process. Within the scope of ITU Awards, which are given in 10 different categories in three main fields under the titles of “Engineering”, “Basic Sciences” and “Architecture, Art and Social Sciences”, monetary prizes with a total of 500 thousand TL were also distributed.

The winners of the Istanbul Technical University Awards are as follows:

1. Science Award:

a. Engineering field:

Prof. Dr. Cengiz Kahraman, Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Management, ITU

b. Basic Sciences field:

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Yağcı, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ITU

c. Architecture, Art and Social Sciences field:

There were no applications that met the evaluation criteria.

2. Young Academic Achievement Award:

a. Engineering field:

Prof. Dr. Emre Akyüz, Department of Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering, Maritime Faculty, ITU

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammedreza Nofar, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Metallurgical Engineering, ITU

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tufan Kumbasar, Department of Control and Automation Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics, ITU

b. Basic Sciences field:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Fuat Topuz, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ITU

c. Architecture, Art and Social Sciences field:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Koray Gelmez, Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, ITU

3. Service Award:

Prof. Dr. Zekai Şen, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Medipol University

4. Innovation Award:

Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Külekci, Informatics Institute, ITU

5. International Cooperation Award:

Prof. Dr. Esra Çapanoğlu Güven, Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Metallurgical Engineering

6. University–Industry Cooperation Award:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Volkan Sezer, Department of Control and Automation Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics

7. Scientific Work and Copyright Award:

Prof. Dr. Mikdat Kadıoğlu, Department of Meteorological Engineering, Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics

8. “Sustainability” Thematic Field Awards:

a. Thematic Field Achievement Award:

Prof. Dr. İzzet Öztürk, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering

b. Thematic Field Article Award:

There were no applications that met the evaluation criteria.

9. Prof. Dr. Mustafa İnan Special Award:

Prof. Dr. Oral Büyüköztürk, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

10. Education and Teaching Awards:

a. Outstanding Success in Education/Teaching in the Engineering Field for Faculty Members

Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özkol, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, ITU

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Onur Tezcan, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, ITU

b. Outstanding Success in Education/Teaching in the Engineering Field for Assistants to Faculty Members

Res. Asst. Merve Akbaş, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, ITU

Res. Asst. Elif Ak, Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Computer and Informatics, ITU

c. Outstanding Success in Education/Teaching in the Basic Sciences Field for Faculty Members

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Ercengiz, Department of Mathematical Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ITU

d. Outstanding Success in Education/Teaching in the Basic Sciences Field for Assistants to Faculty Members

Res. Asst. Ebru Akgül, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, ITU

e. Outstanding Success in Education/Teaching in the Architecture, Art and Social Sciences Field for Faculty Members

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ozan Önder Özener, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, ITU

f. Outstanding Success in Education/Teaching in the Architecture, Art and Social Sciences Field for Assistants to Faculty Members

Res. Asst. Ahmet Yazıcı, Department of Industrial Design, Faculty of Architecture, ITU