5th International Graduate Research Symposium (IGRS'26)

Organized by the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Graduate School, the International Graduate Research Symposium (IGRS) is an academic platform where graduate-level researchers present their scientific studies, open them to discussion, and aim to increase interdisciplinary interaction. The symposium aims to bring together current theoretical and applied research from different disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, architecture, and social sciences.

Scope and Main Objectives

• Interdisciplinary Approach: Providing a common ground for evaluating graduate theses and projects conducted in different departments.
• Academic Evaluation: Allowing participants to improve their studies based on the feedback of expert review panels and session chairs.
• Academic Networking: Laying the groundwork for scientific collaborations between young researchers, senior academicians, and industry representatives.
• Publication Opportunities: Publishing the accepted and presented papers in the symposium abstract and full-text proceedings.

Method and Format

To support broad participation, the symposium is held in hybrid (face-to-face and online) sessions. Physical poster presentations are held at the ITU Ayazaga Campus Suleyman Demirel Cultural Center.

Notes from the 5th IGRS

Held in a hybrid format on May 11–13, 2026, IGRS'26 brought together graduate researchers, academicians, and expert invited speakers through online oral presentations as well as face-to-face poster sessions. The opening speech was delivered by Institute Director Prof. Dr. Fatma Seniha Güner; ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal also took part in the opening program. A total of 370 oral presentations were held in simultaneous sessions across 7 different halls for three days. On the last day of the symposium, 134 poster studies were exhibited at the ITU Suleyman Demirel Cultural Center in two sessions, morning and afternoon. IGRS'26, with a comprehensive program where a total of 504 scientific studies were presented, became an academic platform that supports the graduate research culture and encourages interdisciplinary knowledge sharing.

Participation

Participation in the symposium is open to everyone as an audience. For ITU graduate students, presenting a paper at the symposium is considered one of the activities that meet the scientific publication requirement for graduation.

3 Minutes Thesis (3MT)

Developed by the University of Queensland, the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition aims to encourage and reward research conducted by doctoral students. The competition focuses on helping students develop their academic, presentation, and research communication skills; effectively conveying their thesis work in just three minutes, using language comprehensible to a non-specialist audience.

As the ITU Graduate School, we organized this competition for our doctoral students for the second time within the scope of the IGRS symposium.

Why is Participation Important?

• Skill Development: Strengthens academic presentation and research communication skills through the practice of explaining to a non-specialist audience.
• Research Culture: Creates a supportive environment where graduate students come together and recognize each other's work.

Results from the 2nd Competition (within IGRS'26)

The jury evaluation was based on Comprehension & Content (CC) and Engagement & Communication (EC) criteria, out of a total of 150 points awarded by 5 jury members. The Winner received 40,000 TL, the Runner-up received 30,000 TL, and the People's Choice award, determined by the audience voting in the hall, received 20,000 TL in prize money. Awards were presented by Institute Director Prof. Dr. Fatma Seniha Güner.

• Winner: Suzan Özdemir (Textile Engineering) — 143.5 / 150 points
• Runner-up: Zeynep Tutku Özen (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) — 138 / 150 points
• People's Choice (shared): Gamze Neşe Özcan (Chemical Engineering) and Muhammed Raşit Karakoca (Mechanical Engineering)

3rd Priority and Innovative Research Workshop

Co-organized by the ITU Graduate School and the ITU Research Decanate, this workshop brings together undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral young researchers with award-winning scientists recognized by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) who work in TÜBİTAK's priority R&D and innovation areas in line with the Presidency's 12th Development Plan Vision.

Aim and Scope

Graduate students gain knowledge and experience from expert academicians in their fields during their education; however, this accumulation is often not enough for an academic career roadmap. It is necessary to come together with researchers from different universities and countries and learn about their diverse research experiences and ideas. This workshop aims to provide an environment where students can share experiences not only on academic knowledge but also on career development processes with award-winning scientists from institutions such as TÜBİTAK, TÜSEB, and TÜBA. The workshop covers priority areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Information Technologies, Advanced Materials, Biomaterials, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Renewable Energy, Sustainable-Green Agriculture, Disaster Management, and Social Sciences and Humanities.

Notes from the 3rd Workshop (October 20–21, 2025)

The workshop was held at the ITU Suleyman Demirel Cultural Center. Academicians who have made groundbreaking studies in priority and innovative areas and were rewarded by TÜBA shared their studies, publications, and experiences with participants from different universities. The closing speech was delivered by Institute Director Prof. Dr. Fatma Seniha Güner. The fourth of the series will be held at Dokuz Eylul University in 2026.

TU12 Technical Universities Union 3rd Graduate Schools Workshop

Organized under the umbrella of the Technical Universities Union (TU12), the Graduate Schools Workshop series aims to strengthen strategic cooperation among the graduate schools of member universities, support the development of common policies and practices in line with nationally determined goals, and jointly evaluate concrete steps to increase the quality of graduate education.

In this context, the workshops offer a structured cooperation platform for comparing current practices related to graduate education processes, identifying common needs, sharing best practices, and sustainably tracking developed solution proposals at the institutional level.

3rd Workshop — Hosted by ITU

The third of the series was held on April 22, 2026, hosted by the Istanbul Technical University Graduate School at the Suleyman Demirel Cultural Center Senate Room. Directors, deputy directors, and institute secretaries representing the graduate schools of Bursa Technical University, Erzurum Technical University, Eskisehir Technical University, Gebze Technical University, Iskenderun Technical University, Izmir Institute of Technology, Karadeniz Technical University, Konya Technical University, Sivas University of Science and Technology, Middle East Technical University, and Yildiz Technical University attended the workshop. In the workshop where a total of 36 representatives took part, 30 representatives represented other technical universities, while 6 represented the host ITU Graduate School.

During the workshop, strategic topics such as ecosystem proposals that will carry graduate education forward, the development of joint inter-university programs, and the integration of artificial intelligence-supported applications into graduate education processes were discussed.

Previous Workshops

• 1st Workshop — March 8, 2024, Bursa Technical University (BTU)
• 2nd Workshop — April 18, 2025, Gebze Technical University (GTU)

ITU Graduate Student Seminars

The Graduate Student Seminars series offers graduate students the opportunity to present their work, receive qualified feedback from students and faculty members from different fields, and find the motivation to continue their research more efficiently. The seminars are also an important opportunity to get to know the research conducted by the students and the academic diversity of the institute more closely.

Students who wish to share their work can apply by submitting an abstract not exceeding 250 words by the specified deadline. The seminars are held online every Wednesday from 14:00 to 15:00 throughout the semester.

ITU Graduate Student Seminars 2025-2026 Spring Semester Successfully Completed

The 2025-2026 Spring Semester program of the Graduate Student Seminars series, organized by the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Graduate School to showcase our students' academic research, has successfully concluded. Conducted to support the research culture, increase knowledge sharing, and lay the groundwork for interdisciplinary interaction, this semester's seminar series was highly productive. Enriched by the competent presentations of our doctoral students, this event series allowed researchers to improve their presentation skills while enabling participants from different fields to gain new perspectives. The highlights of the events held by our 9 doctoral students are as follows:

• A Historical Study on Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms, and Creativity — İlkem Ahu Şahin
• Between Shores: Reimagining Spatial Experience on Istanbul Ferries — Sevgi Orak
• Nature, Ideology and Power: Artificial Waterscapes in Early Republican Ankara — Eda Nur Dalgıç
• From the White Cube to the Responsive Organism: The Neuro-Architectural Transformation of AI-Supported Spatial Atmosphere — Janset Canbek
• Color Symbolism in Nizami’s Haft Peykar — Sehel Fidan
• The Role of the Airport Meteorological Office and Operational Decision-Making Processes — Gizem Hodoğlu
• Laser Engineering and Technology: History, Present and Future Prospects — Orhun Baştekeli
• Use of Integrated HBIM Methods for Historic Underground Structures: The Case of Pişirici Kastel — Fatih Uzun, Prof. Dr. Mine Özkar
• Integration of Cultural Water Heritage in Basin Planning: A Study on Istanbul’s Drinking Water Basins — Elif Çoban

We sincerely congratulate our 9 esteemed doctoral students who contributed to the process and shared their research with us. As the ITU Graduate School, we will continue to support our youth who produce and share in the light of science without slowing down in the upcoming semesters.