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Message from the President
“ANYTHING WE DO SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE.”
I am pleased to present our annual report for the academic year 2023-2024, highlighting our activities and accomplishments. This year’s report is unique as it embraces the digital format, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.
We have dedicated this report to the inseparable partnership between research and innovation. Central to our approach is a steadfast commitment to innovation, guided by the principle that “anything we do should be innovative.” This guiding principle fosters an environment where research and innovation thrive together, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and inspiring us to dream bigger.
I believe in the powerful synergy between these two pillars of intellectual exploration—a synergy that will drive our university toward its full potential. This dynamic interplay of discovery and advancement will position innovation as a transformative force, leading to groundbreaking solutions, products, and ideas.
I hope you enjoy reading our annual report!
Best regards,
Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti
President
research centers
research laboratories
full-time faculty
students in total
The Inseparable Partnership Between
Research and Innovation
The synergy between Research and Innovation has emerged as the basis of progress in higher education. From breakthrough discoveries in laboratories to transformative applications in industries, and from technologies that revolutionize the curriculum to cutting-edge research and impactful outreach initiatives, Koç University shines as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, with a steadfast commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. This year’s annual report delves into the inseparable partnership between Research and Innovation at Koç University. In these articles authored by faculty members, you’ll explore visionary perspectives that illuminate the dynamic interplay between rigorous inquiry and creative advancement.
Innovation: Embracing Disruptive Changes
As a research university, Koç University is at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries, serving as a place where visionary ideas flourish. Dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world impact, Koç University fosters innovation and technological advancement.
President Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti highlights the university’s ongoing research initiatives and innovation efforts, emphasizing that at the heart of the university’s innovation ecosystem are its people—the talented faculty, staff, and students. He explains that their goal is to empower individuals to think differently, question conventions, and explore new territories of knowledge.
A Forward-Thinking Approach to Teaching, Research, and Campus Life
Koç University shines as a leading educational institution in Türkiye, renowned for its forward-thinking approach to teaching, research, and campus life. The university constantly strives to improve and provide its students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Prof. Dr. Funda Yağcı Acar, Koç University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, delves deeper into the university’s core values, exploring how Koç University fosters innovation in its curriculum, cultivates a collaborative research environment, and prioritizes diversity and sustainability within its walls.
Empowering Change: Innovating for a Global Future
Koç University remains a top research institution, nurturing groundbreaking ideas with a world-class faculty and exceptional students. However, Koç University’s mission extends beyond the mere production of scientific knowledge. It stands as an innovation hub, where pioneering research translates into tangible solutions that make a positive impact on the global stage. Prof. Dr. Hakan Ürey, now Vice President for Research and Innovation, exemplifies in his person the academic dedicated to the dynamic world of startups. With expertise in micro-optics, optics, and biological sensors, he holds over 60 patents. In the following article, Prof. Dr. Ürey guides us through Koç University’s ongoing research and innovation endeavors.
Innovation, Value Creation & University-Industry Collaboration
Prof. Dr. İsmail Lazoğlu, the founder and director of Manufacturing and Automation Research Center (MARC), discusses the crucial role of innovation and Türkiye’s promising potential in this field.
Envisioning the Future through Innovation
Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Gündüz Demir, Director of the Koç University & İş Bank Artificial Intelligence (KUIS AI) Center, explores how AI enhances innovative thinking.
Scientific Curiosity: The Engine of Innovation
Prof. Dr. Devrim Gözüaçık, M.D. Ph.D., a researcher at the School of Medicine who specializes in autophagy, discusses novel methodologies applicable to cancer treatment.
Innovatıve Research Paves the Way to High-Impact Outcomes
Asst. Prof. Dr. Serkan Kır’s recent study, published in Nature, unveils a molecular mechanism that could offer an effective therapy to mitigate weight loss cancer patients.
Koç University: A Hub & Symbol of Innovation
Prof. Dr. Özgür Müstecaplıoğlu from the Department of Physics emphasizes the transformative potential of quantum technologies and highlights Koç University’s unique environment for such advancements.
Collaboration Between Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Social Sciences
At the College of Sciences and Humanities, Prof. Dr. Erdem Yörük’s groundbreaking idea evolved into a real-life company within a supportive and innovative academic environment.
