RESEARCH KHAS QUARTERLY

A Distinguished Recognition at the Highest Level of Science

Emeritus Professor Erdal Panayırcı, a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Kadir Has University, has been elected as a Fellow of the International Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance (AAIS), one of the world's leading scientific organizations in artificial intelligence.

Professor Panayırcı has earned international recognition through his pioneering research in communications and signal processing. His work focuses particularly on next-generation 6G communication systems, AI-assisted communication technologies, and resilient communication solutions for disaster environments, making substantial contributions to the future of communication technologies.

Among the more than 250,000 members of AAIS worldwide, only 2,435 researchers hold the prestigious title of Fellow. This distinction is reserved for scientists whose research has demonstrated exceptional scientific excellence and has made lasting contributions to their disciplines.

Professor Panayırcı's election to this distinguished community is a significant recognition of his decades of scientific productivity, pioneering research, and globally influential contributions to communications and signal processing. Joining a fellowship that includes Nobel Prize and Turing Award laureates represents a source of great pride not only for Kadir Has University but also for Türkiye's academic community.

A Pioneering Work in the Historiography of Women's Writing: Dr. Bilge Ulusman Receives the Doğan Hızlan Award

The book Rejection of the Literary Father: Foundational Discourse, Generic Function, and Narrative Explorations in Women's Writing (1895–1950), authored by Lecturer Dr. Bilge Ulusman from the Core Program at Kadir Has University, has received the 2025 Doğan Hızlan Literary Criticism and Review Award. Published by Metis Publishing, the book has been recognized for its original contribution to the historiography of women's literature in Turkish.

The book offers a comprehensive examination of works produced by women writers in Turkish literature between 1895 and 1950. By reassessing texts that have long remained on the margins of literary history, it reveals the narrative strategies, distinctive discourses, and creative contributions through which women writers challenged the patriarchal literary tradition and shaped the development of the modern Turkish novel and short story.

The award jury unanimously recognized the work for moving beyond conventional approaches that regard women writers merely as “early representatives” or “supporting figures.” Instead, it highlights women's creative role in shaping the literary construction of modernization, the public sphere, education, family life, urbanization, and individualization.

Having attracted considerable attention on both national and international academic platforms, the research is also offered as an elective course at Kadir Has University. This prestigious award further confirms both the scholarly quality of the work and its innovative contribution to literary studies.

An International Perspective on Syria's Reconstruction Process: Funding Support for Our Department of International Relations' Project

The research project “Conditions for Stability and Sustainable Returns in Syria” in which Professor Mustafa Aydın, a faculty member in the Department of International Relations, serves as a project partner, has been awarded funding by The Research Council of Norway. Coordinated by the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI), the project brings together researchers from several countries to strengthen international academic knowledge on Syria's future.

Achieving lasting stability in Syria and ensuring the safe and sustainable return of displaced populations remain among the most pressing issues on the international research and policy agenda. The project examines the relationship between state stabilization and the safe, sustainable return of displaced communities by comparatively analyzing policies and practices implemented at the international, national, and local levels. The research is expected to enrich academic knowledge on Syria's reconstruction process while providing valuable scientific input for international policymaking.

Professor Mustafa Aydın's participation as a project partner once again demonstrates Kadir Has University's active role in international research collaborations. The involvement of our doctoral researcher Sezen Kaya Sönmez further reflects the University's commitment to supporting early-career researchers by integrating them into international research projects.

From Roman Gold Coins to Digital Storytelling: EU Support for Our Student May Baker's Project

May Baker, our student in the Department of Computer Engineering, has been awarded funding under the 3DBigDataSpace Outreach Call, coordinated by the Time Machine Organisation and co-funded by the European Union. The project, entitled “The Golden Bond: Unfolding the Kapulukaya Hoard,” was selected as one of only two successful proposals from 37 applications submitted across Europe.

Coordinated by Associate Professor Sinem Aslan of the University of Milan, the project introduces visitors to the Kapulukaya Hoard, housed in the Erimtan Museum of Archaeology and Arts, through innovative digital technologies. Focusing on fourth-century Roman gold coins, the application combines 3D models, interactive digital storytelling, and augmented reality to enable users to explore the historical journey of the coins from Antioch to Ancyra while engaging directly with the artifacts.

Bringing together computer science and cultural heritage research, the project features May Baker as Technical Lead and Systems Integration Lead. In this role, she leads the technical development process that enables multiple digital technologies to function seamlessly within a single platform, applying her expertise in computer engineering to the digital preservation and presentation of cultural heritage. Her leadership also highlights the active role Kadir Has University students play in international and interdisciplinary research projects.

Strengthening Academia–Industry Synergy in Artificial Intelligence

Kadir Has University Silivri Technopark continues its efforts to strengthen knowledge exchange and foster a culture of collaboration between academia and industry. Within this framework, the Second Technopark Companies–University Networking Event was successfully held at Kadir Has University.

The event brought together twelve artificial intelligence companies operating within the KHAS Silivri Technopark ecosystem with faculty members, administrative staff, and students. Participating companies introduced their ongoing projects, technological innovations, and areas of expertise, creating valuable opportunities for attendees to gain insight into cutting-edge developments across different fields.

Beyond company presentations, the event provided an interactive environment that encouraged participants to establish new professional connections and identify potential areas for collaboration. Discussions between company representatives and academic staff extended beyond the exchange of current activities, laying the groundwork for future joint research and innovation projects. Researchers and technology developers working in related fields explored opportunities where academic expertise and industrial experience could complement one another.

By bringing together representatives from academia and industry, this event marked another important step toward strengthening knowledge sharing and collaborative innovation within the Kadir Has University Silivri Technopark ecosystem. The new partnerships established during the event are expected to serve as the foundation for future interdisciplinary collaborations and joint research initiatives.

Strengthening International Research Collaborations: MSCA Study Visit to the United Kingdom

Within the framework of the “Türkiye in Horizon Europe” Technical Assistance Project, Öznur Demirbilek from the Directorate of R&D Resources represented Kadir Has University during a study visit to the United Kingdom organized by TÜBİTAK for the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity to introduce Kadir Has University—one of Türkiye's leading institutions in terms of MSCA success—to several of the United Kingdom's world-renowned universities. During the programme, participants visited Imperial College London, King's College London, University College London (UCL), and Brunel University London, gaining first-hand insight into their research support structures, project development practices, and institutional models.

The knowledge gained and the professional connections established throughout the visit are expected to make a valuable contribution to Kadir Has University's efforts to deepen international research collaborations and further strengthen its already successful position within the MSCA programme.