YTÜ Alumni Gathered in the Shade of a 115-Year-Old Oak

The Yıldız Technical University Alumni Reunion ’26 brought together hundreds of our alumni from three generations under the umbrella of YTÜ, one of Turkey’s most respected educational institutions with a history spanning over a century. At the reunion, where plaques and certificates were presented to our senior alumni, memories were rekindled and a strong bond was forged across generations; the Yıldız spirit was once again brought to life with the same enthusiasm.

The Class of 2026, who have successfully completed their academic studies at Yıldız Technical University, will receive their diplomas at ceremonies to be held at the Davutpaşa Congress and Culture Center from July 6 to 10. Thousands of students, along with their families and faculty members, will participate in the events and experience the excitement of taking their first step into their professional careers.

A memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of higher education was signed between the Council of Higher Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

Prior to the signing ceremony held at Yıldız Technical University, Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education, met with Prof. Yacoub Ould Moine, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and his delegation. 

Researchers at Yıldız Technical University have developed a new active pharmaceutical ingredient that successfully destroys cervical cancer cells in a laboratory setting. Animal testing will soon begin for the compound, which was synthesized with the goal of reducing the severe side effects of chemotherapy and has been granted an international patent.

Hosted by Yıldız Technical University in collaboration with Elsevier, the “Tomorrow Today in Research 2026 Turkey” event, held on June 18 at the Historic Hamam Cultural Center on YTÜ’s Davutpaşa Campus, explored the future of academic research through the lens of digitalization and artificial intelligence.

Joint Center of Excellence for Health Biotechnology Research and Application (SABIOTEK) researchers have developed a 3D-printed microneedle patch system that enables the direct delivery of drugs to the tumor site for the treatment of melanoma, one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. The invention received a Gold Medal and the WIIPA Special Award at EUROINVENT 2026.

QS, one of the world’s leading ranking organizations in higher education, has released its 2027 World University Rankings. Yıldız Technical University climbed 102 spots globally to rank 634th. YTÜ outperformed 57.9% of the universities included in the rankings and moved up one spot in Turkey to rank 9th.

Speaking at the YTÜ Ideas Council, Dr. Abuzer Dişkaya discussed the epistemological transformation spanning from Ibn Sînâ to Descartes. Dişkaya stated that the “Cogito” concept, which forms the foundation of the modern world, has shaped not only philosophy but also the age of science, technology, and artificial intelligence. He explained that the idea of dominating nature and the modern technological mindset—extending all the way to artificial intelligence—are the result of an epistemological shift centered on the “Cogito.”

The graduation ceremony for the "Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace" program, launched in collaboration between the Istanbul Development Agency and the Esenler Municipality, was held at the YTÜ Davutpaşa Campus with the participation of Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır. 

Speaking at the ceremony, where 1,600 young people received certificates, Minister Kacır stated, "By providing approximately $3 billion in public funding for data center and artificial intelligence investments, we will mobilize $10 billion in private sector investment."

At the 3rd Inter-Yıldız Technology Awards, organized this year by YTÜ Yıldız Technopark, 37 companies that stood out for their contributions to the technology and innovation ecosystem were honored with awards. At the ceremony, where awards were presented across a total of 13 categories, the National Technology and Artificial Intelligence Award went to TUSAŞ, while Ziraat Technology was named the "Polar Star of R&D" and NVIDIA was named the "Polar Star of Export."