Koç University News & Announcements Bulletin

December 2016

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members of the Koç University Community,

This month, we proudly kicked off a new initiative, the Koç University Rahmi M. Koç Medal of Science. Starting this year, Koç University presents this medal to a scientist who is in one way or another a product of Turkey and who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of universal scientific knowledge.

The Medal program was created to celebrate and encourage scientists under 50 years of age, and is to be given one year in Science, Engineering and Medicine and the subsequent year in Social and Administrative Sciences, Humanities and Law.

The program celebrates the contributions to our institution of our Honorary Chairman Rahmi M. Koç who retired from his post as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Koç University at the end of 2015, while also recognizing the outstanding position that Koç University has now attained as a center of excellence in education and science.

Koç University Rahmi M. Koç Medal of Science originated with these goals in mind and with the recognition that Rahmi M. Koç has been the wind in the sail of our University for the past 23 years, and to signify the fact that we are forever indebted to his generosity, his open mindedness and his trust in us.

The first ever recipient of the Koç University Rahmi M. Koç Medal of Science, Prof. Aydoğan Özcan, could not have been a more deserving scientist. The Medal was presented to Professor Özcan on December 5th at a ceremony held at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, for his outstanding contributions in computational imaging, microscopy and photonics, and for the development of innovative mobile technologies for medical sensing and diagnosis.

Our relentless quest for excellence in research is also reflected in what we do within our University. We not only celebrate innovative, research-driven scientists around the world, but also recognize and acknowledge the scholarly achievements of our own faculty.

During our recent General Faculty and Staff Meeting on December 9th, we proudly presented Outstanding Faculty Awards to 8 of our faculty members from 6 different schools. We congratulate the Award recipients for the outstanding & exemplary research that they have done in recent years.

One of the most prominent, important endeavors this University has pursued in recent years, is KUTTAM, Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine. This, newest and largest research center at Koç University, is now funded by the Turkish Ministry of Development, at a level of 20 million TL; a huge feat for any university in Turkey.

With a mission to develop value-adding and competitive advanced technological products using cutting edge science while also developing innovative products, and to contribute to the success of the country, KUTTAM will undoubtedly elevate Koç University to a new level in the health sector, while also playing an integral role in the integration of the School of Medicine and the Koç University Hospital with the rest of the university.

The month of December is usually an exciting time, as we reflect on the passing year and plan for the year ahead. This month of new hope and new energy, was sadly clouded by a most tragic loss, from within our own community.

We were devastated by the most unfortunate loss of our dear student Yasin Görkem Yazıcı (Business Administration, 3rd year) in the cowardly terrorist attack that took place in Istanbul on December 10th.  I know I am speaking on all your behalf when I express our deepest condolences to his family, to all of our University community and to all those who knew and loved Görkem.

Görkem was full of life and joy, a successful student and sportsman, that all of us were proud of, and we shall all miss him dearly. May God bless his soul and may he rest in peace.

Although my address to you ends on this sad note, I extend my best regards and wishes for health and happiness to all of you and your loved ones. Please take and make time to use this period as a chance to be with your family and friends and please do cherish the opportunities that life has bestowed upon us.

May 2017 bring us no further reminders of how precious life is. May you all have a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year!

My best wishes and regards to you all,

Umran Inan

/umransavasinan   /profumraninan

HIGHLIGHTS

Prof. Aydoğan Özcan, recipient of the first Koç University Rahmi M. Koç Medal of Science, joined Koç University to discuss his scientific studies and share his plans for future research. The seminar, “Mobile imaging, sensing and diagnostics through computational photonics”, is available to watch on KURIOUS.

 

The recipients of the Outstanding Faculty Awards, 2015-2016, were announced at the General Faculty and Staff Meeting on December 9. Our sincerest congratulations once more to everyone.

 

Following a very successful two years in office, President and Vice-President of the Student Council, Kerem Görkem Orhan and Tuğçe Gündüz respectively, have passed the baton of leadership to Bekir Batuhan Çelebi and Burcu Çınar. We warmly thank the outgoing students for their service and look forward to an exciting term with Batuhan and Burcu.