The third project launch meeting was held

The third Project Launch Meeting, organized by Üsküdar University’s Department of R&D and Innovation Policies, was successfully held. Senate members and academics attended the meeting, where the presented projects received great appreciation.

The project launch meeting took place at Üsküdar University’s South Campus Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall.

Among the attendees were President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, senate members, academics, and students.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan expressed his happiness about the projects…

President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, who attended the project launch meeting, expressed his happiness regarding the projects. Tarhan emphasized the necessity of conducting and expanding projects in all fields, stating that these projects should also be published internationally to maximize their impact.

Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay: “As ARGEYEP, we will continue to provide all kinds of support”

The opening speech of the program was delivered by Director of Üsküdar University’s R&D and Innovation Policies Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay. Özay stated that “Previously, we shared data on our Scopus publications from the past five years. As of January, 30 new Scopus publications have been added, bringing our total to 1,171. We expect this number to increase in the coming months. Currently, we have gained significant momentum, and we see that a large portion of our publications is concentrated in the medical field. We are updating and presenting the table we previously shared. We are also reporting the number of projects from faculties for the 2023-2024 period and aim for an increase in 2025. To strengthen academic studies, we emphasize that all our professors, research assistants, and doctoral students who have completed their proficiency should lead at least one project. Throughout this process, ARGEYEP will continue to provide all kinds of support.”

Prof. Osman Çerezci: “We aim to carry out joint projects with municipalities”

Prof. Osman Çerezci, Dean of Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, delivered a presentation titled “Development of an Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Package and Comparison with Electromagnetic Measurement Data.” Çerezci stated: that “Recently, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports are being prepared for the rapidly increasing wind energy plants in our country. During this process, we are being asked to measure electromagnetic radiation levels and identify potential risks. In this context, we aim to conduct joint projects with municipalities, perform electromagnetic field measurements, and evaluate the results according to legal limits. Additionally, we plan to apply for international projects and publish academic studies. We support companies producing electronic devices in terms of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and measure the electromagnetic radiation emitted by medical devices used in hospitals to ensure compliance with European standards. Our analyses regarding electromagnetic effects are included in comprehensive EIA reports prepared for wind energy plants, and we continue our studies in this field.”

Prof. Barış Metin: “We are developing virtual reality-based games for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s patients”

Prof. Barış Metin, Head of the Neuroscience Department at Üsküdar University’s Institute of Health Sciences, delivered a presentation titled “Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Spatial Data and EEG Data Collected from VR-Based Cognitive Serious Games with Artificial Intelligence.” Metin stated that “As a university, we have partnered in a project under the Industrial R&D Support Program. In this project, we are developing virtual reality (VR)-based games for the early diagnosis and cognitive assessment of Alzheimer’s patients. These types of games are referred to as ‘serious games’ in the literature. Within the project, patients will undergo cognitive tests in a VR environment, and EEG data will be collected. Subsequently, the disease stage will be analyzed with artificial intelligence. Three different groups will be studied: mild and moderate Alzheimer’s patients, individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and a control group of healthy individuals. Computer engineers, neuropsychologists, clinicians, and psychiatrists from our university are involved in the project. The goal of the project is to examine the compatibility of VR games with standard neuropsychological tests and enhance the accuracy of early diagnosis through artificial intelligence.”

After Prof. Barış Metin’s presentation, Umut Yılmaz from IoTTech Information Consultancy Company shared project details with the participants.

Prof. Çiğdem Yazıcı: “We aim to examine the presence of women in philosophy”

Prof. Çiğdem Yazıcı, who is Head of the Philosophy Department at Üsküdar University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, presented her project titled “Women in Philosophy on the 100th Anniversary of the Republic: The Presence of Women in Philosophy Education and Research in Higher Education.” Yazıcı stated that “With this project, we aim to examine and propose recommendations to enhance the presence of women in academia and philosophy. The Republic and philosophy are two mutually influential fields, so we are shaping the project around this interaction. Our study consists of four dimensions. First, we analyze the numerical presence of women in academia. Second, we evaluate what is understood when discussing women in philosophy and how it is addressed in areas such as gender equality, epistemology, and ethics. In the third phase, we will conduct field research by interviewing at least 20-30 of the 66 philosophy departments in Turkey to understand the role of women in academia. Finally, we will organize a workshop to share our findings with academics and students and develop future-oriented recommendations. This project aims to contribute to quality education, gender equality, and increased diversity within the framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.”

Asst. Prof. Ayşe Özçetin: “Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases after stroke”

Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology Faculty Member Asst. Prof. Ayşe Özçetin presented a study titled “Preparation of Gabapentin Carbon Quantum Dot and Its Effectiveness on Pentylene Tetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizures Compared to the Standard Active Ingredient.” Özçetin stated that “Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects approximately 2% of the global population and is the most common after stroke. Current treatments require continuous medication use, which can lose effectiveness over time and cause high costs and side effects. In this study, we aimed to test the effects of Gabapentin carbon quantum dots on epileptic seizures. We created an epilepsy model in experimental animals using pentylene tetrazole and compared the Gabapentin carbon quantum dot we developed with standard Gabapentin. Our three main objectives are to synthesize and characterize the Gabapentin carbon quantum dot, evaluate its effects on epileptic seizures, and compare it with standard Gabapentin. Additionally, we will examine the presence and fluorescence activity of carbon quantum dots in brain tissues after the experiment. Our study aims to develop innovative and effective approaches for epilepsy treatment.”

Dr. Gülcan Ayral: “Our goal is to introduce university life to new students”

Dr. Gülcan Ayral, International Student Relations Manager of Üsküdar University’s Department of Health, Culture, and Sports, delivered a presentation titled “The Impact of the Hedef Arkadaşlık  Program on the Adaptation of International Students.”
Ayral stated that “The Hedef Arkadaşlık  Mentorship Project is a peer mentoring system we developed to facilitate international students’ adaptation to university life. We are running this project with the ISS Team and the Hedef Arkadaşlık Mentorship Team. Our goal is to introduce university life to new students and support their quick adaptation. Within the project, we provide mentorship to students, offering training on university life, communication skills, and other essential topics.”

A third-year Computer Engineering student also made a presentation

As part of the launch meeting, Aksel Deniz Akgül, a third-year Computer Engineering student at Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences and a young entrepreneur, delivered a presentation titled “ADAxy Technology.” Within this scope, he shared the project he has been working on with the participants.

After the project presentations, President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented sapling certificates to the project owners.

Üsküdar University’s third project launch meeting concluded with a group photo session following a Q&A session with participants.

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)