Sabancı University Advances University-Industry Collaboration with Industry-Focused Projects

Sabancı University Introduces a New Approach to University-Industry Collaboration: Industry-Focused Projects

The "Industry-Focused Projects" initiative, launched in October 2016 within the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Sabancı University, presents a new model of university-industry collaboration in which institutions develop priority research topics as projects in partnership with Sabancı University. The program operates within the scope of the "Graduation Project" course in Sabancı University's curriculum, featuring projects developed by fourth-year undergraduate students under the supervision of faculty members from both the participating institution and Sabancı University. Sabancı University and the partner organizations jointly execute the projects on which they are collaborating. This year, the SOP Program includes 17 selected projects from among proposals submitted by a total of 14 institutions including TÜBİTAK Bilgem, Karel Kalıp, Airties, Hayat Kimya, Bonbon and Farplas, participating from diverse sectors such as defense industry, automotive design and suppliers, information technology, electronics, chemistry, construction and consumer durables. The projects are expected to be completed in May.

Institutions Benefit Mutually from Multiple Advantages in the Industry-Focused Projects (SOP) Collaboration Model

The collaboration project developed by Sabancı University enables research topics that are on the industrial institutions' research agendas but face resource constraints in terms of personnel, time and technical equipment to be realized through university partnership and project development. On the other hand, industrial organizations participating in the project can freely benefit from the research facilities provided by Sabancı University's state-of-the-art laboratories, coordinated through the students working on the project and the supervising faculty member, without encountering bureaucratic obstacles. Additionally, fourth-year students working on projects create an effective human resources pool for industrial institutions, offering organizations the opportunity to meet and develop potential future colleagues. One of the most advantageous aspects of the program is its ability to provide concrete and innovative solutions to specific problems, transforming ideas into products.

How the SOP Process Proceeds

Institutions wishing to participate in the SOP program may submit project proposals twice per year on subjects in different engineering fields as desired. All project proposals are evaluated by a selection committee composed of faculty members. Projects beginning in the fall semester run from October through May and are concluded. Projects beginning in February continue into the following academic year and are completed in December. Industrial projects involve two advisors, one from the institution and one from among Sabancı University faculty members. During the first three months, students work on the design phase of the project while participating in seminars and group work on topics including complex scientific and engineering problems, sustainable development, economics, environmental issues, manufacturability, ethics, health, social and political issues, project management, risk management and change management, intellectual property rights, innovation and entrepreneurship, and occupational health and safety. Students are expected to reflect the education they receive in their projects.

Sabancı University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences comprises a total of 6 undergraduate programs: Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechatronics Engineering. Students enrolled in these programs may register in at least one minor program offered by the faculty—Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Energy—provided they meet the necessary conditions, as well as in minor programs offered by other faculties. At the same time, students meeting the necessary conditions may concurrently complete undergraduate programs with double major tracks and graduate from two undergraduate programs. The Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs in "knowledge-intensive" fields that determine the pace and direction of scientific and technological progress. The faculty places emphasis on interdisciplinary research programs developed to create innovative technologies and increase productivity in manufacturing and service sectors. In addition to fundamental research, research methods are being developed that will enable collaboration with national and global sector partners. At Sabancı University, the number and budget of research projects allocated per faculty member and grants received exceed national averages. Since 2013, Sabancı University has been recognized by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology Index as Turkey's Most Entrepreneurial and Innovative Foundation University. The most technologically advanced laboratories and research centers within the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences enable faculty members and students to focus on fundamental science and technology fields. Pioneering research is conducted at centers such as Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SU-NUM), Integrated Technologies Center of Excellence (CTCE), Data Analytics Center of Excellence (VERİM), and Functional Surfaces and Interfaces Research and Application Center for Nano-Diagnostics.