Istanbul Medipol University works closely with industry leaders to ensure its engineering and science curriculum is fit for purpose and prepares students for the challenges ahead
The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Istanbul Medipol University was established in 2014 with the mission of advancing Turkey’s reputation in science and technology. It provides students with the opportunity to experience innovative research and hands-on learning through industry partnerships, building the country’s engineers of the future.
The curriculum is designed to be flexible, updated as new technological developments enter the world of engineering. There is a core of compulsory courses alongside a wide pool of technical courses that enable students to deepen their knowledge in chosen technical fields.
Students gain hands-on experience in four ways: there are lab sessions in almost all engineering courses; two mandatory summer internships after the second and third year of study; students can partake in professors’ research projects; and during graduation projects they are asked to complete the design and demonstration of an engineering project.
The school has already gained renown in engineering disciplines, with a high volume of research projects and publications to its name. According to the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye, the school is ranked number one in research into wideband communication technologies like 5G and 6G.
The school is also undertaking a great deal of research into artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare, linked to the university’s own hospitals. These developments include an AI programme that allows patients to ask, ‘What is wrong with me?’, or AI analysis of electrocardiogram data for patients with heart problems. Another area of focus is health systems management, looking into how industrial engineering can make these systems more efficient. A graduate programme is also offered to train more researchers in this area.
It is important for students to take an interdisciplinary approach to their learning and research, and this is facilitated in a number of ways. There are three courses where students from different departments can work towards a common goal on a project.
One example is the technology, society and ethics course, where students consider the impact of different engineering approaches on society. During graduation projects, students from different departments are encouraged to work together to achieve the best result. To support this, they are directed to Medipol’s technology transfer office, which offers help with patent applications and forming start-up companies.
In terms of exposing students to industry experience, the university has set up a consortium comprising chief technology officers and chief executive officers from several technology companies. The consortium provides feedback on the curriculum and how graduation projects are assessed, ensuring the school is up to date with current practices and thinking. It has also signed protocols with key companies so students can undertake internships, alongside collaborations with industry partners, many of which ultimately employ Medipol graduates.
Looking to the future, the aim is to become a leading teaching and research school in Turkey and Europe. The school already attracts international students from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and hopes to build on this by expanding its industrial partnerships and research.
Find out more about Istanbul Medipol University.
