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.

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Joint Statement by EELISA Leaders: “We are shaping the future of Europe through talent and innovation”

Policy development with NGOs for SDG 4 Quality education and 13 Climate action

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.

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.

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Collaboration in Public Transportation

Policy development with government for SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy and 9  Industry, Innovation, Technology and Infrastructure and 11 Sustainable cities and communities

A cooperation protocol has been implemented between ITU, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and the Green Hydrogen Producers Association (H2DER) aiming to create the necessary ecosystem for the use of green hydrogen vehicles in public transportation. 18 Oct 2024

From renewable energy to green hydrogen for SDG 7 affordable and clean energy

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal signed a significant cooperation protocol with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, a graduate of our Department of Chemical Engineering, and Yusuf Günay, President of the Green Hydrogen Producers Association (H2DER), to create the necessary ecosystem for the use of green hydrogen vehicles in public transportation. The protocol signing ceremony was held at the ITU Ayazağa Campus on October 13th. This collaboration, which brings together ITU, the public, and civil society, sets a significant example for the future of sustainability efforts in our country.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, commented on the collaboration: “Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality is a municipality whose innovative vision I know and appreciate closely. Turkey only has one Hydrogen Valley project, and it's a sector that needs further development. At ITU, our R&D activities, particularly in the fields of electrolyzers, hydrogen storage, and fuel cells , are rapidly advancing. Our collaboration on this project will, as an example, further benefit our country's future. As ITU, we will continue to develop sustainable transportation solutions, increase social benefits, and develop pioneering projects in the field of green energy.”

The project's objectives include producing green hydrogen from renewable energy sources through electrolysis, using and storing the produced green hydrogen in buses using fuel cells, and establishing a filling station. The project, implemented under the protocol, will enable innovative research, and the stages from preparation to the final goal will be shared with public authorities and the public.

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Sustainable Ecosystem Days

Policy development with NGOs and industry for SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy and 11 Sustainable cities and communities

Sustainable Ecosystem Days (SEG) is a nationwide event 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 will be provided with 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

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ITU and BEDAŞ Sign Cooperation Protocol Against Earthquakes

Policy development with government for SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy and 11 Sustainable cities and communities

ITU has signed a cooperation protocol with BEDAŞ (Boğaziçi Electricity Distribution) to prepare for a potential major earthquake in the Marmara Region and further strengthen its energy infrastructure. As part of the "Development of an Earthquake Accelerometer Sensor Compatible with the MASS Communication Protocol" project, the earthquake resistance of transformer stations will be determined in advance, and the resulting data will be used to create an earthquake risk map of Istanbul. 8 Nov 2024

Boğaziçi Electricity Distribution Inc. (BEDAŞ), which continues its work to strengthen the electrical infrastructure on the European side of Istanbul for the expected major earthquake in the Marmara Region, has signed a significant collaboration with ITU. According to the protocol, accelerometer data will be collected in real time as part of the "MASS Communication Protocol Compatible Earthquake Accelerometer Sensor Development Project," developed by BEDAŞ, ABE Technology Inc., and ITU MATAM (Istanbul Technical University Marmara Active Fault Hazard and Risk Application Research Center) under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Cenk Yaltırak. These data will then be evaluated through scientific analyses to generate earthquake risk maps and take the necessary steps.

The signing ceremony for the project, which will further strengthen Istanbul's energy infrastructure against earthquakes, was held at the ITU Ayazağa Campus on Tuesday, November 5th, with the participation of ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, BEDAŞ General Manager Murat Yiğit, and numerous guests.

About the project

The project, which envisions the design of a circuit board for an earthquake accelerometer device integrated with the MASS Communication Protocol, aims to interpret data collected from sensors using high-power supercomputers and process them on a map. The accelerometer devices to be developed are also planned to be integrated with the MASS Communication Protocol, using industrial standards and connection methods such as RS485, Ethernet, and serial communication.

The project, which will enable accelerometers to measure earthquake impacts on parcels and distribution network elements with high precision using a network of MASS Pro meters in a region at constant earthquake risk, will provide significant advantages in terms of placement, displacement, and investment planning of distribution network components to ensure BEDAŞ's distribution continuity before a potentially devastating earthquake strikes. Furthermore, the impact of an earthquake wave, along with its ground and building interactions, will be converted into digital data. Measurements made through such a system will enable the generation of realistic data and specific attenuation relationships for scenario earthquakes. This will enable computerized testing of ground and building conditions against scenario earthquakes, facilitating the implementation of appropriate countermeasures.

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ITU Alumni Mayors Begin Their Terms

Policy development with government for SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities

Following the “Local Elections of March 31, 2024” 15 ITU graduates who were elected as mayors received their mandates and began their duties.

Three ITU graduates were among the mayors entrusted by the nation with local government in Istanbul's districts for the next four years. Civil Engineering graduate Mehmet Ergün Turan was re-elected for Fatih Municipality, while Urban and Regional Planning graduate Mehmet Murat Çalık became Mayor of Beylikdüzü for the second time. Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering graduate Sinem Dedetaş began her term as Mayor of Üsküdar.

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Artificial Intelligence Breakthrough in Higher Education through the Cooperation of ITU and CoHE

Policy development with government for SDG 4 Quality education and 9  Industry, Innovation, Technology and Infrastructure

ITU will act as coordinator in the processes regarding 71 artificial intelligence-based education programs that CoHE (Council of Higher Education) will open in 20 universities across Türkiye. 26 Apr 2024

ITU, which has Türkiye’s first “Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering Department”, continues to play an active role in pioneering efforts towards the development of our country’s artificial intelligence-based academic education.

At the “Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization and Big Data” meeting organized by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) at ITU Ayazağa Campus, Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center on April 26, 2024, CoHE President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar emphasized the need for trained workforce equipped with digital technologies in all sectors and announced that new undergraduate and associate degree programs in the field of artificial intelligence will be opened across the country.

ITU will act as coordinator in the processes regarding 71 new programs to be established in 20 universities across Türkiye.

“Cyber Security Engineering” at ITU

At the meeting where Türkiye’s future in the field of academic education for digital technologies was discussed, CoHE President Prof. Dr. Özvar gave the good news that a Cyber Security Engineering program will be opened at ITU, and that the Control and Automation Engineering program at ITU will be restructured as “Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineering”.

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Collaboration Protocol for Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Policy development with government for SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation and 9  Industry, Innovation, Technology and Infrastructure

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.

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Cooperation between Istanbul Financial Center and ITU

Policy development with NGO for SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth and 9  Industry, Innovation, Technology and Infrastructure

ITU and Istanbul Financial Center (IFC) cooperation protocol on information technologies in the financial sector was signed at IFC on December 29, 2023.

ITU and Istanbul Financial Center are collaborating for information technologies and in-depth analysis studies. The protocol signing ceremony held at IFC was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu and Istanbul Financial Center CEO Ahmet İhsan Erdem.

With the signed protocol, it is envisaged to conduct in-depth market analyses on information technologies in the field of finance, by bringing together the academic knowledge and research competence of ITU and the sectoral experience of Istanbul Financial Center. The analyses including the developments, current situation, and future trends in the field of information technologies in the financial sector will be prepared by ITU academics.

Internship opportunity for ITU students

The protocol will also allow ITU students to do internships at Istanbul Financial Center. Istanbul Financial Center will provide internship and candidate engineering opportunities to ITU students. In this way, it is aimed to support the training of experts in the field of information technologies in our country, to improve understanding of the sectoral needs, and to foster solution-oriented approaches.

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Strategic Cooperation Between ITU and the Zero Waste Foundation

Policy development with NGO for SDG 12  Responsible consumption and production

A protocol aiming for a wide-ranging cooperation between ITU and the Zero Waste Foundation has been signed, covering areas from high-quality postgraduate education and advanced research projects to social contribution and the development of international relations in the fields of sustainability and zero waste.

ITU and the Zero Waste Foundation have signed an important cooperation protocol that will advance efforts in sustainability and zero waste across various areas such as scientific research, educational activities, social responsibility projects, and innovation initiatives.

Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal expressed his strong belief that this meaningful collaboration will yield fruitful outcomes for both ITU and Türkiye, and extended his thanks to everyone involved, including the representatives of the Zero Waste Foundation.

Prof. Dr. Mandal emphasized that through this cooperation, ITU aims to offer high-quality postgraduate education, develop advanced research projects, contribute to society, and strengthen international relations. He highlighted that projects to be designed in line with sustainability principles will provide ITU students with a more well-rounded academic and social learning environment. He also reiterated ITU’s goal of becoming a leading institution in zero waste practices through projects that raise awareness both nationally and globally.

The cooperation protocol aims to launch postgraduate programs focused on zero waste and sustainability at ITU, with the objective of training talented experts on a national and international level. Students enrolled in these programs at ITU will benefit from scholarship support. Additionally, undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, as well as ITU staff, will have the opportunity to engage in joint activities in education, scientific projects, entrepreneurship, and social solidarity under the protocol. The cooperation will both promote environmentally friendly and sustainable practices and strengthen ITU’s physical infrastructure.

Digital Twin Application and Research Center Collaboration with ITU and BTS Group

Policy development for SDG 4 Quality education and 9 Industry, Innovation, Technology and Infrastructure and 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions

The ITU-BTS Digital Twin Application and Research Center (ITU-BTS DİAM), which was implemented in collaboration with ITU and BTS Group and is a first in our country, will play an important role in the digital transformation as it is also one of the few digital twin centers in Europe.

ITU, which has achieved many firsts and bests in our country with its vision of being a research university focused on responsibility and impact , has launched ITU-BTS DİAM in collaboration with BTS Group.

The implementation of the ITU-BTS DİAM combined ITU's strong academic infrastructure in engineering with BTS Group's global academic success, international expert staff in the field of digital twins, and strategic collaborations. This created a solid foundation for generating innovative solutions.

The center that will position Türkiye among the global leaders in digital twin technologies

Digital twin technologies stand out with their potential to enable revolutionary advancements in areas such as 5G/6G, smart cities, sustainable energy, and aviation.

Innovation, R&D, and collaborations on new projects were discussed at the meeting held at the ITU Ayazağa Campus. It was decided to develop strategic technology projects with a holistic vision within the scope of the "Local and National Private 5G Project."

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal stated that the primary goal of the collaboration is to establish a private 5G network at the ITU Ayazağa Campus. He emphasized that this needs-based infrastructure, beyond being a goal, is a tool that supports academic research, paves the way for joint projects with industry, and enables innovations, particularly in areas such as smart transportation, autonomous systems, and security.

Global Engagement Map of ITU

ITU is at the 17th Pujiang Innovation Forum

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal attended the 17th Pujiang Innovation Forum, which brings together the science and innovation ecosystem. The forum, held in Shanghai on September 7-10, 2024, brought together scientists, technology entrepreneurs and industry leaders. (12 Sep 2024)

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal attended the 17th Pujiang Innovation Forum, which has been bringing together the global science and innovation ecosystem since 2008. The international forum, which brings together scientists, industry leaders, technology entrepreneurs and media representatives, was held in Shanghai on September 7-10, 2024. Click here for details.

SDG Policy Guidance

ITU academicians actively provide research results and advice on both national and international level through joining committees, events and organising collaborations. Some of the events that took place in guiding policies on local, regional and national level are given above.

Expert Advice from ITU

ITU has been providing specific expert advice to local, regional and national governments through policy guidance, participation in committees and provision of evidence.

As a well-established University, from past to present, ITU members have been serving as a consultant, expert, and guide in different disciplines, both locally, nationally, and internationally. In addition, ITU Academic staff share their expertise to help many courts in Istanbul and Nationally to resolve all disputes and lawsuits related to their fields of expertise.

Participation in Committees and Provision of Evidence from ITU Academicians

●      ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal provides specific expert advice to local, regional and national governments through policy guidance, participation in committees and provision of evidence. This year he 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. Additionally, he is a member of the following committees;

○      University-Industry Cooperation Centers Platform (ÜSİMP)

○      World Academy of Ceramics - İtaly

○      TÜBİTAK -TEMEG GYK

○      Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center

○      Inovent A.Ş

○      GOSB Teknopark A.Ş

○      MDA Advanced Technology Ceramics Ltd.

○      YÖK-National Qualifications Committee

○      National Nanotechnology Center

○      International Ceramic Federation - ABD

○      European Ceramic Society - Belgium

○      World Innovation Foundation (WIF) - UK

○      European Ceramic Society Council - Belgium

○      Cemre Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees: The Cemre Foundation carries out activities with the aim of protecting the environment, promoting sustainable living, and building a more livable world for future generations. It aims to increase environmental awareness in society through education and awareness programs; it establishes a strong bond between nature and people through volunteer-based projects. ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the foundation.

●      Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Lütfiye Durak Ata has been providing specific expert advice on signal processing, communication, communication theory, wireless communication, and networks to the following committees with her participation; IEEE Senior Member, EURASIP Local Liaison Officer of Türkiye, IEEE Signal Processing Society.

●      Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. İpek Akın Karadayı  has been providing specific expert advice on Biomaterials, Materials Production Technologies, Ceramic Materials, Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics, Composite Materials, Biomaterials  to the following committees with her participation; Uctea Chamber Of Metallurgical And Materials Engineers, Turkish Society For Electron Microscopy, The American Ceramic Society.

●      ITU Environmental Engineering lecturer Prof. Dr. Tuğba Ölmez Hancı participates in the following committees in providing expert advice on water, wastewater treatment, nanotechnology and environmental Chemistry: International Water Association, Turkish National Committee for Water Pollution Research, Chamber of Environmental Engineers.

●      ITU Landscape Architecture Department lecturer Prof. Dr. Yasin Çağatay Seçkin has been providing specific expert advice as the Director of Parks, Gardens, and Green Areas at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

●      ITU Electrical Engineering lecturer Prof. Dr. Önder Güler Energy has been providing expert advice on electric power and power systems, renewable energy systems, lighting within the scope of TÜBİTAK–TEYDEB, where he continues to serve as a project referee, observer, and consultant on numerous projects.

●      ITU Electrical Engineering lecturer Assis. Prof. Dr. Lale Erdem Atılgan: Dr. Erdem Atılgan has been co-teaching the lighting part of the Sensory Architecture: Sound and Light lecture offered at the Architecture Department of Istanbul Bilgi University for the last 3 years. She also offers an online course on lighting at the University of Djibouti. Her areas of interest focus on lighting technologies, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and energy efficiency. She’s an active member of the Turkish National Committee on Lighting and the International Commission on Illumination.

●      Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebubekir Ceylan from Department of Sociology, Elected President of AYBİR: Sociology Department chair, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebubekir Ceylan, has been elected as the President of the Association of Academics and Writers from Islamic Countries (AYBİR). This esteemed organization serves as a vital platform for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among scholars, writers, and intellectuals from the Islamic world.

●      Sociology Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aslı Çalkıvik Elected Chair of ISA’s Long-Range Planning Committee: Doç. Dr. Aslı Çalkıvik, a distinguished faculty member of our Department of Sociology, has been elected as Chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee under the Governing Council of the International Studies Association (ISA). The ISA, with over 7,000 members worldwide, is a leading scholarly association that fosters the study of international affairs and global issues through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Collaboration with developing countries

TEGAM is a scientific and technological research, training and application center established under Istanbul Technical University Rectorate.

TEGAM's field of work arises from the technological development-economic development interaction in developing countries. TEGAM’s central working is focused but not limited to the following channels: to conduct and participate in related research; to cooperate with national and international organizations; organizing courses, seminars, conferences, congresses and similar meetings; To carry out researches, examinations, laboratory experiments and similar works related to the problems of the public and private sector, to give scientific reports, to carry out projects and similar technical studies.

Education for Specific Expertise

ITU collaborated with the national government in educating the public on policy and specific expertise. The education is completed with certificates provided by the ITU Continuing Education Center.

Green Certificate for Buildings and Settlements (YeS-TR) Training Program

This Program is conducted under the protocol signed between the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye and ITU. The purpose of the Green Certificate Training Program for Buildings and Settlements is to train experts and assessment experts for the national green building and green settlement certification system (YES-TR).

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology Training Programs

These programs are offered under the protocol signed between the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology and ITU:

●      R&D Technology and Innovation Management Certificate Program

●      Information Technology Management Certificate Program

●      Fourth Industrial Revolution Awareness and Expertise Certificate Program

●      Project Management Certificate Program

●      Business Analysis Certificate Program