Major Contribution From GTU Student Societies to the National Technology Initiative

Student societies at Gebze Technical University (GTU) achieve significant success with their innovative project proposals supported by the TÜBİTAK MTKB Club Development Support Program.

GTU continues to strengthen its identity as a research university through student-led initiatives. The MTKB (National Technology Clubs Association) program, which aims to encourage scientific output, increase technology development capacity, enhance research infrastructure, and foster an interdisciplinary working culture, also seeks to strengthen students’ R&D competencies during their undergraduate studies.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Supported

Aligned with the university’s applied education approach, the supported projects make valuable contributions to students’ early development of project design, applied R&D, and technical organization skills. In line with the National Technology Initiative vision, these projects also support the training of qualified human resources and elevate university‑industry‑society interaction.

The projects and teams supported to be by TÜBİTAK are as follows:

Computer Society: Meet the Industry With GeekDay

Organized by the Computer Society, the GeekDay project serves as a technology summit open to participants from across Türkiye. With parallel seminar sessions featuring expert speakers, the project aims to enhance students’ awareness of current technological developments, strengthen sectoral insight, and support their professional growth.

Project Team: Zeynep Özge Toptaş, Semri Bahar Erturan, Muhammad Enes Güllüce, Asude Uzun, Begüm Çakmak, Mümincan Dura, Elif Erva Turan, Ata Berk Bilen, Petek Özdemir, Kaan Karaman, Zeynep Sıla Dede, Hatice Katman, Azra Işık

Cosmological Research Society: Domestic Telescope Workshop

The Cosmological Research Society is establishing a sustainable telescope workshop with the “Design and Development of Motorized Reflector Telescopes” project. Starting with the production of a Newtonian reflector telescope, the initiative plans to expand into design and development of various telescope types, creating long‑term R&D infrastructure. The project team will develop optical components, mechanical systems, assembly structures, motorized movement mechanisms, and control electronics. The resulting expertise will be used in scientific data collection activities, observation events, and science communication, while also offering undergraduate students hands‑on research experience.

Project Team: Utku Ufuk İman, Elçin Senem Kal, Rumeysa Kurt, Eray Enes Özkasap, Mustafa Samet Çetin, Zülal Tosun, Feyza Yazıcı, Cüneyt Gündoğar, Hayrunnisa Adar, Sura Gençtürk

Molecular Biology and Genetics Society: Multidisciplinary R&D

This project integrates molecular biology, biotechnology, agricultural technologies, and bioinformatics into a modular research framework. The activities include designing sensor‑based and optimizable vertical farming systems, conducting experimental and computational analyses on cancer cells, investigating early‑diagnosis biomarkers for neonatal infections, and developing machine‑learning‑based bioinformatics tools. With the support provided, experimental and computational research processes will be integrated to strengthen interdisciplinary student R&D capacity.

Project Team: Ramazan Arıcan, Sümeyra Karabulut, Altar Çelik, Ahmet Tanrısever, Gülüzar Zehra Güdük, Maryam Aliyeva, Umut Tekin, Mehmet Can Çalışkan, Bilal Emin Özdemir, Ezgi Su Şen

Aerospace Society: Technologies of Tomorrow

The Aerospace Society’s project aims to develop students’ applied engineering and R&D competencies in aerospace technologies. The work covers areas such as the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and rocket systems, autonomous control and avionics integration applications, and composite structure design. In addition, participation in national and international technical competitions and educational activities strengthens students’ project management and teamwork skills.

Project Team: Ebeda Beşdok, Batuhan Kabul, Saliha Arslan, Yunusemre Doğan, Kerim Selim Turan, Baran Seçmen, Zeynep Neva Aygün, Cemal Kızılel, Birnur Haskol, Deniz Güler, Samet Üstünkaya, Ali Arda Yaratıkol, Göksu Nur Kaya, Zeynep Kırali, Fatih Yıldırım, Eyüpcan Altunışık, Rümeysa Limon, Sudenur Akçay, Asena Şahinkaya, Feyzanur Yazıcı

GTU Robotics and Automation Society: Butterfly Robot Olympics

One of the society’s longest‑standing events, the International Butterfly Robot Olympics has been held annually since 2018, bringing together participants of various age groups in robotics. Following the 6th edition in 2025, the 7th edition is planned for May 2026. The society aims to contribute to technology production and educate future engineers through projects in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and software. Within the society, project development for Teknofest and various robotics competitions continues, and training is provided in electronics, soldering, 3D design, software, and workshop usage.

Project Team: Yüksel Emre Karabulut, Alevnaz Bal, Yusuf Turhan, Melike Sülüç, İsmail Yazıcıoğlu, Bera İpek İpekçi

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