The rings that form on tree trunks each year not only indicate the tree’s age but also serve as a natural archive that reveals the droughts, fires, and effects of climate change that occurred in the region years ago. 

Prof. Dr. Ender Makineci, a faculty member in the Department of Soil Science and Ecology at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Forestry, demonstrated the annual ring counting method they conduct at Yıldız Technical University’s Davutpaşa Campus by performing the procedure on a tree.

Makineci explained that the annual rings formed on tree trunks provide scientists with important retrospective environmental data, noting that the ages of trees—which can live for thousands of years—are determined by counting the annual rings taken from cross-sections of the trunk.

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In collaboration with Yıldız Technical University, Marmara University, and Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, the Joint Application and Research Center of Excellence in Health Biotechnology (SABİOTEK), have developed a 3D-printed microneedle patch system for the treatment of melanoma, one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. At the “Euroinvent 2026” competition held in Romania with the participation of 17 countries, the academics won a gold medal and received the WIIPA award for this next-generation application known as microneedle therapy.

Cem Bülent Üstündağ, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University and Co-Director of SABİOTEK, provided the following information: 

“In the system we developed, drugs are delivered locally—exclusively to the area where the cancer is present—via microneedles. When we stimulate it with light at a wavelength of 808 nanometers, the quantum dots are activated, causing the system to heat up. This damages the proteins inside the cells in that region, causing the cells to die. It also enables controlled drug release. The cells are both restricted by the heat effect—inducing apoptosis—and damaged by the chemotherapeutic drugs. The drug is delivered by inserting microneedles deep into the tumor region, where it spreads throughout those layers. It’s a direct chemotherapy system applied to the tumor. Chemotherapy is typically administered at different doses over specific intervals. In this method, however, the combined effect of direct hyperthermia and the drug will shorten the treatment duration.”

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Students at Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) have built an AI-powered autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle for use in marine research. The hull of the vehicle, named "Velaryon 2.0," was manufactured entirely in Turkey. Critical electronic components—such as the motherboard, power distribution board, battery management system, and control station—were also designed from scratch by the engineering team.

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At the 2026 Open Days, we welcomed prospective students and their families to our Davutpaşa Campus. Organized under the slogan “Are you ready to be a Star?”, the event provided prospective students with comprehensive information about the opportunities offered by YTÜ—ranging from academic programs to international education opportunities, from technology teams to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and from scholarships to campus life.

Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) has expanded its Yıldız Excellence Scholarships program—designed to support high-achieving students—to a more comprehensive structure for the 2026–2027 academic year. In the new academic year, all scholarship amounts have been increased, and the Yıldız Outstanding Achievement Scholarship—which has been expanded to include students ranked in the top 1,000 in the quantitative section—will provide students with a monthly scholarship of 60,000 TL, as well as support for computers, books, and stationery.

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A delegation from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, ranked 306th in the world, visited our university. During the meetings, opportunities for collaboration in graduate education, joint research projects, technology transfer, and the development of joint graduate programs were discussed. 

Under the slogan “Are you ready to be a star?”, YTÜ will host prospective students and their families at the Davutpaşa Campus during its 2026 Open Days event. 

Term projects prepared as part of the “Financial Literacy, Financial Diplomacy, and Security” course offered at Yıldız Technical University addressed topics such as global finance, geopolitical risks, and economic security through an interdisciplinary approach. Through this course, students gain a strategic perspective by analyzing the current dynamics of the international financial system. Prof. Dr.

A delegation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of the world’s leading universities, visited Yıldız Technical University. The discussions focused on new collaborations in artificial intelligence, medical robotics, smart manufacturing, student exchange, and international R&D projects.

Associate Professor Dr. Ali Can Zaman, a faculty member in the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at YTÜ, and his research team have developed an electroactive hybrid polymer that could contribute to new-generation battery technologies offering long life and fast charging capabilities. The invention, registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, is intended for use not only in energy storage but also in fields such as carbon capture and water purification.