Industry and Academia Meet at Sabancı Üniversitesi to Advance Technology Development

An Industry–Academia Meeting organized under Sabancı University's Industry-Focused Projects Program brought together industry sector representatives and academics. The event addressed university–industry collaboration, technology development processes and joint project opportunities.

Sabancı University's program, which brings industry and academia together under one roof, enables companies to develop projects on their priority research topics in collaboration with the university. Under the program, fourth-year undergraduate students develop projects under the guidance of faculty members and industry representatives. To date, 156 projects have been completed with the participation of 72 companies, and the Industry–Academia Meeting was held on 15 April at Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) Lobby Area.

At the event organized under the theme "The Future Is Now: Industry–Campus Interaction in Technology Development," SOCAR Türkiye Chief Executive Officer Elchin Ibadov served as guest speaker. The program was attended by Sabancı University Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Leblebici, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Prof. Dr. Erkay Savaş and academics.

"University collaboration is now a necessity, not an option"
SOCAR Türkiye Chief Executive Officer Elchin Ibadov drew attention to the strategic importance of university–industry collaboration in his remarks, emphasizing that innovation is shaped through ecosystems in changing global competitive conditions. Ibadov noted that companies collaborating with universities obtain higher returns from innovation investments, stating that such collaborations have become a necessity rather than an option.

"Industry and academia create value together"
Ibadov noted that artificial intelligence and digitalization are transforming production and decision-making processes, saying that industry and academia are becoming increasingly complementary structures. He emphasized that proper problem definition and the creation of a shared innovation culture are critical.

"Students play a bridging role in the process"
Sabancı University Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Leblebici noted that the university has worked in close collaboration with industry since its founding, stating that students play an important bridging role in this process. Leblebici emphasized that university–industry collaboration creates value both for education and for the national economy.

524 students gained real work experience
It was noted that under the Industry-Focused Projects Program, which has been running for 10 years, 524 students to date have gained real work experience before graduation. The program offers companies university support in R&D processes, project development and early contact with qualified human resources.