The project ERA-Chair Spectroscopy@IKU: Manipulating and Characterizing Molecular Architecture: from Isolated Molecules to Molecular Crystals, is an innovative initiative in Türkiye, being the first to receive funding from the European Research Agency (ERA) under the Horizon Europe Framework. The project with 2.5 million euros budget is led by ERA Chair Coordinator and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Ildız, while the research team is directed by ERA Chairholder Prof. Dr. Rui Fausto, a globally recognized scientist in his field is supported under the Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA) ERA-Chairs Program.

The ERA Chairs program seeks to bridge scientific capacity gaps across Europe, fostering a more balanced and cohesive research ecosystem within the European research area. Focused on promoting excellence-driven research in Widening countries, including Türkiye - where research and innovation performance is on the rise - the program supports the recruitment of internationally prominent researchers and the establishment of robust research centers to cultivate scientific leadership in these regions. Aligned with this mission, the Spectroscopy@IKU project was conceived to enhance Türkiye's scientific infrastructure and contribute to the advancement of its research capabilities on a global scale.

A team from Istanbul Kültür University’s Physical and Natural Sciences Advanced Research Center (IKU-SPECTRA), consisting of Vice Rector and IKU-SPECTRA Director Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Ildız, ERA Chair Prof. Dr. Rui Fausto, TTO Director Cüneyt Genç, and Researcher Dr. Bahadır Bozkurt, visited Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM).

During the visit, SUNUM Director and TeamNANO Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Alpagut Kara provided an overview of the research and projects conducted at SUNUM. Additionally, SUNUM Researcher and TeamNANO Project Leader Dr. Javed Kolkar presented details about the "Teaming For Capacity Development And Synergies In Micro-Nanofabrication And Flexible Electronics For Widespread Impact - TeamNANO" project, which is funded under the HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-01 (Teaming for Excellence) call. TeamNANO, the highest-budget EU-funded project in Türkiye, officially started its activities on 01.11.2024.

Within the scope of the visit, IKU-SPECTRA Director and Spectroscopy@IKU Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Ildız shared insights into the planned activities at the center, while Spectroscopy@IKU Research Team Leader and ERA Chair Prof. Dr. Rui Fausto provided information about the "Spectroscopy@IKU: Manipulating and Characterizing Molecular Architecture: from Isolated Molecules to Molecular Crystals" project, funded under the HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-TALENTS-01 (ERA Chairs) call. Spectroscopy@IKU is the first EU-funded ERA-Chair project supported in Türkiye and officially commenced its activities on 01.01.2025.

As two centers hosting projects funded under the WIDERA program, SUNUM and IKU-SPECTRA explored potential collaborations in both ongoing EU projects and broader research activities. Discussions focused on the shared use of research infrastructures and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers. In this regard, IKU-SPECTRA Director Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Ildız invited Prof. Dr. Alpagut Kara and the SUNUM team to visit IKU-SPECTRA.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Prof. Dr. Alpagut Kara and the SUNUM team for their hospitality during our visit.

Our Head of the Department of Basic Education at the Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Toran, has established an important international collaboration. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Toran has been selected as the external evaluator of the Undergraduate Program of Early Childhood Education and Care at the Education University of Hong Kong. As an external evaluator, our professor will supervise and assess the compliance of the Undergraduate Program of Early Childhood Education and Care at the Education University of Hong Kong with its objectives, standards and criteria during the 2024/25 and 2026/27 academic years.

Tiago Oliveira, Catarina Neves, and Ricardo Martins from NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS) visited our university on Thursday, January 23, 2025. During their visit, they were given a tour of the IKU Motion Analysis Center (IKU-HAM) and our Spectroscopy Laboratory, which was established as part of our ERAChair project. Additionally, potential collaboration opportunities were discussed. These meetings laid a strong foundation for future joint projects.

The 5th Ordinary General Assembly of IKUMED was held on Sunday, January 26th. In the new term, more meaningful activities that will bring alumni together are planned.

The members who will serve in the new term are as follows:

Istanbul Kültür University (IKU) Technology Transfer Office (TTO) will organise a comprehensive information meeting on ISTKA's financial support programs.

Date: February 03, 2025
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Event type: Online

Topics:

Artificial Intelligence Technologies Financial Support Program
Twin Transformation Financial Support Program
Collaboration Istanbul: Program to Strengthen Partnerships Between Corporate Companies and Startups

Our event offers a great opportunity for everyone who is particularly interested in project development processes and wants to evaluate financial support opportunities. Our moderator, Cüneyt Genç (IKU TTO Manager), will discuss these programs in detail.

You can scan the QR code to register or sign up at https://lnkd.in/du2-8cAQ 

Istanbul Kültür University Art Gallery (IKUSAG) continues its 2024-2025 season with Merih Akçam “Life and Talisman Relationship” Exhibition. Opening on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 15:00, in the IKUSAG Exhibition Hall, the exhibition invites art lovers to explore the inner journey of human beings through ancient symbols and talismans. The exhibition will be open for viewing until February 25, 2025.