Local Education
ITU provides local education programmes and campaigns on climate change risks, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
ITU Climate Change Application and Research Center
The center's purpose is to conduct national and international, interdisciplinary, theoretical and/or applied research in all areas covered by climate change, including agriculture, forests, water and energy resources, and economic, social, and cultural
impacts, and to engage in activities to ensure that the results of this research reach decision-makers and end users. Additionally, it aims to educate students, raise awareness, organize scientific meetings, and enlighten and inform the public with
scientific data on climate change and its effects for relevant individuals from public institutions or the private sector. The center provides facilities to educate locals on climate change. It prepares special programs for children, young people,
and the elderly to educate, raise awareness and spread knowledge on this subject in order to prepare for the effects of climate change.
https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2019/05/20190517-8.htm
“9th Istanbul Carbon Summit” at ITU
“9th Istanbul Carbon Summit”, held on May 6-7, 2024, brought together locals, expert academics and sector representatives with those interested in the field at ITU Ayazağa Campus SDCC.
“Istanbul Carbon Summit”, organized for the 9th time this year by Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in cooperation with the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SPCA) and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate
Change, hosted those interested in the field at ITU Ayazağa Campus, Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center on May 6-7, 2024.
At this year’s summit, organized with the theme “Climate Change Related Risks and Opportunities and Carbon Trade”. The summit aimed to educate the locals with presentations, where current information and opinions were shared with the
participants. The education topics were climate change, financial opportunities for green transformation, carbon management and industry relationship, carbon management and trade in the business world, carbon management and energy.
11th International Atmospheric Sciences Symposium at ITU
The 11th International Atmospheric Sciences Symposium (ATMOS'24), held every two years and the only academic event of its kind in our country, took place at ITU SDKM on October 23-25, 2024.
Organized by Istanbul Technical University (ITU), the 11th International Atmospheric Sciences Symposium (ATMOS'24), the only scientific meeting of its kind in Türkiye, brought together experts from around the world on a wide range of topics, from
various fields of meteorology to cloud physics, the effects of climate change on health, and space weather.
The symposium opening was attended by ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Meteorology General Director Volkan Mutlu Coşkun, and senior representatives from Türkiye’s leading institutions in the field of atmospheric and climate science.
Within the framework of ATMOS'24, a total of 80 studies were presented, including 55 oral presentations and 25 poster presentations. Studies were shared from 21 different universities and 5 different state institutions in our country, as well as from
10 different universities abroad. The symposium hosted researchers from abroad, including Iran, Greece, Bulgaria, Sudan, Croatia, Portugal, Canada, the United States, Chile, and Denmark. ATMOS'24 also brought together 10 invited speakers, 6 of whom
were from abroad, with researchers.
TerrArctic Project Focusing on Polar Regions and Climate Change Risks
Prof. Dr. Orhan İnce, faculty member of the ITU Environmental Engineering Department, shared the latest developments following field research in the polar regions of Russia regarding the TerrArctic Project, of which he is the scientific director and research leader. (06 Dec 2024)
Prof. Dr. Orhan İnce continued his field research in the last week of October by visiting regions within the Russian Arctic. He shared his findings from the field and educated the public about climate change risks, impacts, mitigation, adaptation,
impact reduction and early warning.
The project aims to better understand the negative effects of climate change by sampling, observing, and measuring data from designated pilot regions. The project's outputs are crucial for the entire world. It is planned to set an example in combating
the multifaceted effects of climate change through practical applications and field improvement studies.
Prof. Dr. Orhan İnce stated that the warming of tundra and permafrost regions has caused significant changes. Prof. Dr. İnce explained that the thawing of icy soil rapidly releases methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating climate
change and thus potential negative consequences such as epidemics, migration movements, water, food, and energy crises will affect people in various ways.
Local Education Programme on Environmental Issues and the Role of the Media with ITU Scientists
An event organized by ITU and AA Environmental News Directorate Yeşilhat, with the participation of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros, Prof. Dr. Berk Üstündağ, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Börte Köse Mutlu, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duygu Ağaoğulları, discussed environmental issues and the role of the media in communicating these issues to the public.
Istanbul Technical University (ITU) hosted a productive event discussing the importance of communicating scientific research on environmental issues to the public through the media. On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, scientists, students, and the
AA Environmental News Directorate Yeşilhat gathered at the Remzi Ülker Conference Hall of the Disaster Management Institute.
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros focused on the effects of climate change in his speech. Prof. Dr. Berk Üstündağ explained the relationship between artificial intelligence and the environment. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Börte Köse Mutlu
discussed carbon capture technologies, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duygu Ağaoğulları focused on pollution caused by fossil fuels.
Climate Science and Environmental Sustainability Courses in ITU
İTÜ Climate Science and Meteorological Engineering
As an attractive center of excellence sought internationally in the fields of education and research, understanding, explaining, and predicting the atmosphere, atmospheric systems, and events occurring in the atmosphere is the main objective
of the department. The main goal is to carry out research activities at a level that will compete in the international arena at all levels of theoretical and applied atmospheric sciences and technology and to encourage interdisciplinary
studies. The department is in close relationship and cooperation with national and international organizations. The curriculum was arranged according to the accreditation criteria of the American Meteorological Association (AMS), together
with the needs of Türkiye. ITU Climate Science and Meteorological Engineering Undergraduate Program has been accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) in 2011.
ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences (EIES), Climate and Marine Sciences
We are a dynamic and innovative academic department dedicated to advancing our understanding of the intricate interactions between Earth's climate and marine ecosystems. With a mission to address the critical challenges posed by climate change
and its impact on hydrosphere atmosphere and cryosphere, our department is at the forefront of research, education, and collaboration in these vital fields.
Education for students;
ITU offers education programmes and campaigns on climate change risks, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. The offered courses include the following:
Local education programmes;
● Sustainability Performance Indicators (Carbon, Water, and Energy) Calculation and Assessment Training:
The purpose of the program is to provide information on the scope, objectives, assessment, and implementation of carbon footprint, water footprint, energy management, and risk management systems based on international standards within a short-term, targeted training package. On this basis, it is intended to present the contents of the ISO 14064-1, ISO 14046, and ISO 50001, 50002, 50003, and ISO 30001 standards, along with examples, by academics who are experts in the field to individuals working in the industry on these topics as a career development opportunity.
● Sustainable Development Certification Program:
As awareness of climate change, resource scarcity, environmental pollution, and social inequality—the realities of our century—increases, businesses and governments are taking on more and more responsibility. In line with these requirements, today's businesses are establishing sustainability offices and employing sustainability experts. Sustainability is a concept that ranks high on the agenda of the manufacturing and service sectors today, and addressing sustainability solely in terms of resource use and environmental management is now limited. There is a need for experts who will enable local governments, which play an important role in the sector and are the most important stakeholders in the process, to address the economic and social dimensions of sustainability as well as its spatial dimensions. The “Sustainable Development Expertise Certificate Program” offered by Istanbul Technical University aims to train competent, professional sustainability experts equipped with the necessary skills to meet these requirements.
● Standards, Financing, and Risk Assessment in Sustainability Reporting Training:
The primary objective of training on national and international standards, financing, and risk assessment in sustainability reporting is to provide the sector with targeted information on this current and important reporting. Within this scope, participants will be provided with information on sustainability reporting, materiality analysis, risk assessment, GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards, Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards, and the intersection of these national and international reporting standards with the financial sector, as well as other regulations that cut across the subject. This will create career development potential in this field.
ITU publishes “Journal of Atmosphere and Climate”
The first issue of the “Journal of Atmosphere and Climate” published by ITU, which aims to track research and developments in the fields of atmospheric sciences, meteorology, climate and hydrology and to make scientific contributions to these fields, has been released. Click to read the 1st issue of the Journal of Atmosphere and Climate (ATİK).
Co-operative Planning For Climate Change Disasters with Government
ITU participates in co-operative planning for climate change disasters with the government.
Increasing Türkiye's climate Resilience Co-operation with Government
ITU and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change's General Directorate for Combating Desertification and Erosion have planned and implemented the Soil Protection and Cooperation Against Hydrometeorological Disasters Protocol with the goal of increasing Türkiye's climate resilience, reducing climate change impact and providing early warning.
A comprehensive protocol aimed at increasing our country's climate resilience was signed by ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal and Prof. Dr. Kasım Yenigün, Director General of Combating Desertification and Erosion at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and an ITU graduate.
Emphasizing the need to take concrete steps guided by science in the reduction to impact of desertification, erosion, drought, and other natural disasters that directly affect food security, cities, and quality of life, along with the environment, our Rector stressed that the co-operation between universities and government institutions is essential in this context. Stating that the protocol covers a three-year period but marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration, Prof. Dr. Mandal explained that they aim to expand the scope of the collaboration and take stronger steps when necessary.
Under the protocol, which brings together science, public policies, and social responsibility on a common ground, ITU will plan and produce field-applicable solutions through projects and models with the government. From nature-based solutions to watershed management, from landslide monitoring to carbon studies, from R&D activities to monitoring sand and dust storms, ITU will mobilize its academic knowledge on climate change disasters and technological infrastructure to share the data it obtains with decision-makers/government and provide scientific support for policies.
ITU and the General Directorate for Combating Desertification and Erosion will jointly develop risk models, establish decision support systems, and work on the formulation of national strategies. The General Directorate for Combating Desertification and Erosion will make critical contributions to this process through its many successful projects implemented to date, its team of experts, its field experience, and its data.
The protocol's objectives include informing the government on disasters, sharing information and technological infrastructure across a wide range of areas, including national and international funding applications and academic publications, as well as establishing monitoring and evaluation systems.
Support to Regional Government For Local Climate Change Disasters
ITU informs and supports local and regional governments in local climate change disasters and risks early warning and monitoring.
ITU Climate Change Application and Research Center
The center's objectives include preparing scientific, applicable solutions regarding climate change issues such as climate change disasters, risks early warning and monitoring, greenhouse gas emissions, budgets, extreme weather events, droughts, floods, storms, and similar topics, and conducting monitoring and warning activities on these issues to the extent possible. It informs the government on its findings, disseminates the results obtained from research to relevant parties (including local and regional governments) and end users, and publishes scientific papers.
https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2019/05/20190517-8.htm
ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences (EIES)
EIES’s mission is to conduct research on critical topics such as climate change, geohazards, active tectonics and earthquakes, geomorphology, marine geology, ecosystem dynamics, air pollution, and hydrological processes, by integrating them with atmospheric, oceanic, and surface system dynamics. The scientific knowledge EIES produces and the models they develop contribute not only to addressing global environmental challenges but also to supporting strategies aimed at reducing natural hazard risks.
EIES holds a distinguished position within both national and international scientific communities and actively collaborates with numerous research institutions in Türkiye and around the world. They believe that science should serve not only the academic domain but also benefit society and inform decision-makers and we remain committed to this principle in all their work.
The Institute provides research to protect biodiversity to minimize local climate change disasters and risks early warning and monitoring. The events by the Institute informs and supports local and regional governments in local climate change disasters and risks early warning and monitoring. The informative events on local climate change disasters and risks early warning and monitoring by the EIES includes the following:
● As part of the AYBE Seminars, our guest speaker İlhami Aydın delivered a seminar titled “Forest Fires in Türkiye: Technological Solutions and Innovations.”
● As part of the AYBE seminar, our guest Hüseyin Ogçe held a speech titled “Enhancing blue and green infrastructure to cool the city from a microclimate and outdoor thermal comfort perspective.”
● As part of the AYBE Seminars, our guest Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Sarıkaya held a seminar on the topic "Estimating Paleo-snow Cover with Cosmogenic Isotopes".
● As part of the AYBE Seminars, Onur Karakuş presented the seminar “From Surface to Seafloor: Modeling Carbon Export and Sequestration in the Global Ocean - Biological Carbon Pump.”
● As part of the AYBE Student Seminars, our student Merve Uslu will give a seminar titled “Paleovegetation and paleoclimate changes based on pollen analysis with multi-proxy records during the late Holocene in the Lake Büyükçekmece” on Wednesday, May 28 at 13:30.
● As part of the course YSB 572E - Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Mitigation conducted by Prof. Dr. Ömer Lütfi Şen at Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences building, in the Prof. Dr. Aral OKAY lecture hall, Environmental and Sustainability Expert Umay Yılmaz will contribute with an in-person lecture on "COP29: Key Insights, Highlights, and Outcomes" on Thursday, November 27, starting at 10:00 AM.
Exploring Climate Leadership in Turkish Municipalities: Insights from Assoc. Prof. Aslı Öğüt Erbil
Assoc. Prof. Erbil from Department of Sociology, employs a narrative research approach, using the personal stories and experiences of these public officials to identify leadership features that contribute to the formulation of climate change policies. (3 Dec 2024)
The findings reveal that the public officials in the study exhibited common leadership attributes that are crucial for shaping and driving climate policies. These attributes include a strong sense of responsibility, vision, and innovation in tackling climate challenges at the local level. Despite these commonalities, the study also uncovers the diversity in leadership styles, emphasizing that each official’s approach to climate action can differ, based on personal leadership philosophies and the unique needs of their respective municipalities.
Assoc. Prof. Erbil’s work contributes to the understanding of how leadership at the local level can influence the climate agenda, particularly in contexts where national governments may be hesitant or slow to act. Her research calls attention to the power of local leadership in the fight against climate change and underscores the importance of fostering a diverse range of leadership styles in addressing global environmental issues.
This article not only sheds light on the emerging field of climate leadership but also provides valuable lessons for policymakers and officials striving to make a difference in the battle against climate change, demonstrating that innovation and action can indeed start from the grassroots.
Collaboration with NGOs on climate adaptation
Sustainable Ecosystem Days
Sustainable Ecosystem Days (SEG) is a nationwide event that focuses on climate change and adaptation, organized by student members of the ITU Environmental Engineering Club, featuring expert speakers in their respective fields. 17-18 April 2024
ITU's first carbon-neutral congress, Sustainable Ecosystem Days has been held since 2009 and offers free participation to young and dynamic students from all age groups and numerous cities across Türkiye, academics with a sustainability approach, and industry representatives with a global awareness and vision for environmental technologies, sustainable environmental approaches, and environmental issues. Participants joined seminars over two days, each in the morning and evening. The congress's speakers, participants, technical infrastructure, organizational chart, announcements, accommodations, and sponsorship agreements are entirely organized by the students.
Sponsors
Main sponsor: Semtrio
Golden sponsors: Migros, Fiba, TSKB, Türkiye İş Bankası
Carbon Footprint sponsor: Net Zero
Water Footprint sponsor: Built
Media sponsors: Ekolojika, yeşil iş platformu, Öğrenci Kariyeri
Please click here for details.
Our Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal Has Been Re-elected as President of WAITRO
ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal was unanimously re-elected as the President of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) for the 2025-2026 term at the 27th General Assembly Meeting. Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal stated that continuing his role as the President of WAITRO, which has nearly 200 institutional members from over 70 countries, for the next two years is a significant achievement for our country's international visibility. 15 Nov 2024
About WAITRO
WAITRO describes itself as a "global innovation family." It was established in 1970 under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Since its inception, UNIDO has continued to play an important role as a partner. WAITRO has a consultative status that facilitates the exchange of information in close cooperation with UNIDO. Together, UNIDO and WAITRO work to strengthen the capacity of research institutions in developing countries. Sustainable industrial development and technological innovation are common goals of both organizations. They frequently collaborate on projects and initiatives to promote industrial development and technological innovation, actively sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices to enhance the capacities of member organizations.
WAITRO plays a crucial role in uniting the R&D community by creating a common platform for international cooperation in R&D. WAITRO aims to establish a global innovation ecosystem where research and technology organizations, including universities, partner with the private sector and public entities to share knowledge, develop, and disseminate innovative technologies to create sustainable impacts on societies and economies.
27th General Assembly Meeting
ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal attended the WAITRO Global Summit held in Nanjing, China, from November 13-15, hosted by the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI).
The summit, themed "From Innovation to Impact - Strategies for Sustainable Solutions," focused on how innovations can be transformed into tangible results and thus overcome global challenges. The WAITRO Global Summit aimed to fully reveal the great potential of innovation in addressing global issues such as climate change, inequality, and other challenges in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The summit served as an important platform for ensuring that innovations do not remain just ideas but are transformed into practical and sustainable solutions in real life. Throughout the summit, impact-focused strategies such as how to leverage the "digital revolution" to enable green transformation and how to protect indigenous technologies while opening them to global markets were discussed.
On the last day of the summit, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal was unanimously re-elected as the President of WAITRO at the 27th General Assembly Meeting. Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal will continue his presidency at WAITRO, a role he has held since 2023, for the 2025-2026 term.
Our Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal stated that his presidency at WAITRO, which has nearly 200 institutional members from over 70 countries, is a significant achievement for Türkiye’s international visibility.
Please click here for details.
Joint Statement by EELISA Leaders: “We are shaping the future of Europe through talent and innovation”
EELISA Rectors signed a joint statement at the EELISA Board Meeting held in Pisa on November 18-19, 2024, hosted by ITU's EELISA European University partners Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (SSSA) and Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS).
With this joint statement, EELISA leaders pledged to create a sustainable and welcoming environment for young researchers, innovators and scholars of the EELISA European University.
Europe is facing multiple crises - armed conflicts, socio-economic instability, environmental destruction and growing inequalities - at the same time as the demographics are shifting to an increasingly ageing population. With this joint statement EELISA partners emphasize that these challenges can be overcome by young researcher’s determination, creativity and innovative solutions.
Young researchers face economic, social and unequal access to resources challenges they need to overcome to create innovative solutions to global challenges. In response to these challenges outlined in the joint statement, EELISA European University aims to improve the career prospects of researchers and shape a sustainable future for all by strengthening cooperation between the academic, public and private sectors.
The shared commitment of EELISA Rectors, Staff and Student Representatives, Presidents and Directors is to create the conditions that empower researchers, foster innovation and shape the future of Europe through high quality education and research. The aim of EELISA is to transform education and training through challenge-based learning that prioritizes societal needs and to promote excellence in research that contributes to the continuum of research, education and innovation.
In terms of attracting new talent, keeping the best and brightest minds in Europe, enabling young researchers to bring innovative solutions to global challenges, leading innovation and creating the conditions for researchers to thrive, the EELISA joint declaration encourages all to join forces to shape Europe's future, improve our capacity to support brilliant researchers and take a leading role in the global search for talent.
The joint declaration is available on the ITU EELISA website.
Please click here for details.
Collaboration Protocol for Wastewater Treatment Facilities
A cooperation protocol was implemented between ITU and the General Directorate of Environmental Management of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, aiming to determine process design criteria appropriate to the conditions of our country. 31 Oct 2024
ITU continues to contribute to Türkiye with its scientific projects. The project titled "Determination of National Design Criteria for Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTPs)," led by our Environmental Engineering Department faculty member Prof. Dr. H. Güçlü İnsel, has begun. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change's General Directorate of Environmental Management, the Department of Water and Soil Management, and the ITU Department of Environmental Engineering are collaborating on the project.
The opening meeting of the "Determination of National Design Criteria for Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)" project was held online on Friday, October 18, 2024. Project activities, implementation methods, and stakeholder contributions were discussed at the opening meeting.
The project, supported within the scope of the 2024 Investment Program of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget, will continue between October 16, 2024 and November 19, 2026. The total budget of the project has been determined as 24,272,223 TL.
With this project, process design criteria appropriate to the geographical and climatic conditions of our country will be established, and the resource recovery potential in wastewater treatment plants will be determined, contributing to the achievement of environmental protection targets.
Please click here for details.
Innovative Approaches in Disaster and Emergency Management and Early Warning
The academic collaboration initiative launched by ITU and the North China Institute of Science and Technology (NCIST) brings innovative approaches to disaster and emergency management.
Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal emphasized that climate change—one of the foremost global risks—and its associated factors have made preparedness and management of disasters and emergencies more critical than ever. He underlined their aim to develop interdisciplinary projects by combining Türkiye’s and ITU’s experience in this area with the innovative opportunities offered by international collaborations, technology, and science. Stating that the strategic bond established between ITU and NCIST goes beyond bringing together the academic competencies of the two universities in managing global disaster risks, Prof. Dr. Mandal expressed his belief that this collaboration will generate solutions with global impact by making lasting contributions to the academic and technological ecosystems of Türkiye and China.