Two Major Science Festivals Successfully Concluded at GTU

May 15, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations

— Gebze Technical University successfully held the 10th Graduate Research Symposium simultaneously with the 3rd Fundamental Sciences Festival on May 13–14, 2026.

— Organized under the theme “Science • Technology • Discovery,” the event brought together 72 poster presentations and 32 oral presentations with the academic community and industry representatives.

— Prof. Umran S. İnan, Former Rector of Koç University,  inspired participants with an opening speech combining his academic experiences from Stanford University to the present day.

— Bringing together academia, industry, and students on the same platform, the event concluded successfully with strong participation and valuable contributions from sector representatives.

Gebze Technical University successfully completed a two-day celebration of scientific production and discovery through the 10th Graduate Research Symposium and the 3rd Fundamental Sciences Festival, which brought together the worlds of academia and industry.

An Interdisciplinary Gathering in Scientific Research

Organized in collaboration with the Graduate School and the Faculty of Fundamental Sciences of Gebze Technical University, the 10th GTU Graduate Research Symposium and the 3rd Fundamental Sciences Festival were held on May 13–14, 2026, at the GTU Congress and Cultural Center's Foyer Area. This meaningful event, which united academia, industry, and students on the same platform, provided undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to share their research and engage with studies from different disciplines.

Academic Capacity and Research Culture

Speaking at the opening ceremony, GTU Vice-Rector Prof. Elif Damla Arısan stated that the events contributed to strengthening the culture of the academic community. Emphasizing that undergraduate students’ active involvement in TÜBİTAK 2209 projects, European Union initiatives, and industry collaborations directly enhances research capacity, Arısan remarked, “Our students’ participation in research processes is the greatest strength of our university.”

GTU Graduate School Director Prof. Mevlüt Karabulut noted that the university offers education to more than 2,800 students through 48 master’s and 24 doctoral programs across 27 academic departments. Karabulut emphasized that the 72 poster presentations and 32 oral presentations delivered during the symposium represented not only academic outputs but also potential solutions to industrial needs.

Emphasize on the Shared Spirit of Science and Culture

Prof. Ramazan Altundaş, Dean of the Faculty of Science at GTU, stated that science carries a shared spirit that guides humanity and emphasized that natural sciences and social sciences complement one another. Highlighting the importance of maintaining a human-centered perspective in scientific production processes, Altundaş noted that the festival created opportunities for new collaborations and interdisciplinary experiences.

A Mentorship Vision Extending from Stanford to Koç University

Prof. Umran S. İnan, Former Rector of Koç University, honored the event with his opening speech titled “Innovative Approaches in University Education and Scientific Research.” His speech, which blended experiences gained throughout an outstanding academic career stretching from Stanford University to Koç University, became a major source of inspiration for both faculty members and students.

Prof. İnan stated that scientific progress is driven by free thinking and curiosity, emphasizing that the future role of universities will evolve from conventional lecturing toward a mentorship-based structure guiding students in their projects. Stressing that knowledge gains value through practice, he underlined that a merit-based, innovative, and interdisciplinary research environment is essential for achieving global success.

Appreciation for the Event Contributing to the Future

The valuable contributions of industry representatives and the strong participation throughout the event program added significant value to the scientific exchanges. The event, which progressed productively through poster sessions and industry interactions over two days, concluded successfully with the completion of all scheduled sessions.