ITU and NUAA Launched the “International Joint Research Laboratory” Initiative

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) have launched the “International Joint Research Laboratory” initiative under the theme of “Advanced Smart Structures and Control Systems,” introducing an innovative collaboration model.

On June 23, 2025, ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal met with a delegation from NUAA at the ITU Ayazağa Campus. During this meeting, the two universities initiated the establishment of a joint research laboratory.

The initiative will lead to the creation of two laboratories—one at ITU’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and another at NUAA—serving as a model for a new framework of collaboration. These “Advanced Smart Structures and Control Systems”-themed laboratories are being developed not just to foster academic interaction, but to embody a sustainable partnership based on mutual trust, a shared vision, and the universal values of science.

Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal expressed his belief that this model will inspire future research areas and contribute to ITU’s strategy of becoming a research university focused on responsibility and impact. He emphasized that the initiative quickly materialized through both universities taking action with the same enthusiasm and sense of responsibility to build common ground. Prof. Dr. Mandal also extended his gratitude to NUAA Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Daning Shi and his delegation for their contributions to the process and their strong collaboration.

Aiming to foster multidimensional interaction—including researcher and student exchanges, joint supervision, co-developed engineering projects, and academic publications—the joint laboratory initiative will contribute to cultivating young talent within the international scientific community and enhancing the quality of scientific output. In the upcoming period, the "International Joint Research Laboratory" will establish mechanisms that strengthen co-supervised doctoral theses, interdisciplinary knowledge sharing, and a culture of collaborative production. Innovative projects will be developed in areas such as smart structures, materials engineering, control systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The ITU–NUAA “International Joint Research Laboratory” directly aligns with China’s “100 Joint Laboratories” goal under the Belt and Road Initiative.