Visit to China by ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal held various meetings in China between December 1-3, 2025, aimed at deepening ITU's collaboration in advanced technology and space ecosystems. In addition to signing a memorandum of understanding between ITU and Nanjing Tech University, Prof. Dr. Mandal was awarded an honorary professorship by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA).

Discussions on multi-dimensional academic collaborations at BIT and BUCT

During the meetings held by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Mandal, at the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), one of the most distinguished technical institutions in the People's Republic of China, advanced materials technologies and carbon capture technologies were discussed in particular.

Prof. Dr. Mandal stated that he discussed multi-dimensional academic collaborations involving ITU, BIT and BUCT, such as student exchanges, summer and winter schools, dual degree programs, joint doctoral supervision models, and joint research laboratories. He expressed his belief that the discussions held in areas shaping the future of engineering, such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, energy solutions, carbon capture technologies, and sustainable production, would soon yield concrete results.

 

Honorary Professorship from NUAA to Our Rector

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal was awarded the title of Honorary Professor by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA). His support for the collaboration between ITU and NUAA, his advisory roles in the international joint laboratory, and his contributions to laboratory projects were influential in NUAA awarding our Rector the title of Honorary Professor.

Prof. Dr. Mandal emphasized the importance of the academic contacts and joint studies conducted with NUAA in terms of developing a culture of co-production, and expressed his great honor at being awarded the title of Honorary Professor by NUAA. He stated his belief that the title of Honorary Professor goes beyond a mere title and demonstrates the strong scientific partnership established between the two universities. He thanked the academics who contributed to the development of a visionary collaboration between ITU and NUAA and the NUAA administration for their appreciation in awarding him the title of Honorary Professor.

Joint research laboratory as a strategic power center

Prof. Dr. Mandal also visited the NUAA–ITU International Joint Laboratory of Advanced Smart Structures and Control. Stating that he sees international joint laboratories as a strategic focus of ITU and observing the R&D activities carried out in the laboratory in detail, our Rector emphasized that the interdisciplinary approach of the research teams and the laboratory's strong technical infrastructure pave the way for projects that will produce more effective results in the future. Prof. Dr. Mandal highlighted that the projects conducted on smart structures and advanced control technologies have brought academic interaction between the two universities to a productive level. He thanked the laboratory's Director, Prof. Furjan Mohannad, and all stakeholders.

The laboratory, established in partnership with NUAA, one of China's leading universities in the field of aerospace engineering, began operations in June 2025 within our Department of Mechanical Engineering. The laboratory brings together the engineering expertise of two established institutions.

 

Opening doors to collaborations in China's space and advanced technology ecosystem

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal gathered with leading universities, funding organizations, technology companies, and investors in the space ecosystem in Beijing, with the support of PAG (Pacific Alliance Group) and hosted by Creat Union Group. The discussions, which featured comprehensive evaluations, provided a platform for a closer understanding of China's rapidly developing space and advanced technology ecosystem and for the concretization of areas for joint work.

The event, which addressed potential areas of cooperation (scientific research in space, technology development, investment, joint laboratory models, and innovative project funding mechanisms), also outlined joint working steps to follow up on the process.

Our Rector noted that these contacts will give strong momentum to ITU's multidisciplinary R&D approach, joint laboratory structures, and international academic mobility strategies. He also expressed his belief that these discussions will lead to a long-term, strong, and strategic partnership led by ITU. Prof. Dr. Mandal explained that the potential collaboration could span a wide range of areas, from joint research platforms to large-scale project funding, technology development programs, and student and academic exchanges, particularly in the space ecosystem.

 

A scientific bridge from Istanbul to Nanjing strengthened by SAMFE

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Mandal, participated in the SAMFE II -  Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics Symposium, hosted by Nanjing Tech University, where he was one of the opening speakers. In his opening speech, he stated that the publications, projects, and research collaborations that began after SAMFE I, held at ITU in May 2025, are progressing with a more integrated vision.

Prof. Dr. Mandal stated that the ITU–Nanjing Tech Joint Laboratory model, established as an important center for long-term strategic projects, has brought the R&D capacities of both institutions closer together. He emphasized the importance of the leadership role undertaken by ITU and Nanjing Tech in scientific studies in Türkiye and China within this structure. He noted that in strengthening the collaboration between the two universities, they should focus more on the “co-creation culture” along with the university-industry connection. Our Rector emphasized that real and sustainable scientific success is only possible through processes of designing, co-developing, and co-innovating, going beyond mere collaboration.

 

Signatures formalizing the cooperation between ITU and Nanjing Tech

Within the scope of SAMFE II, ITU and Nanjing Tech University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Prof. Dr. Mandal stated that the agreement aims to establish a long-term scientific cooperation between the institutions within an institutional framework and to pave the way for future projects and student-academic exchanges. The MoU covers joint degrees, double degrees, student mobility, and academic cooperation. Our Rector thanked Prof. Wei Huang, the academics at Nanjing Tech University, all researchers contributing to the SAMFE platform, and ITU academics for their academic contributions to the development of this cooperation.

 

Productive meeting at the institute specialized in humanoid robots

During his meeting at the Robot Industrial Technology Research Institute, part of the National Innovation Centre par Excellence (NICE), Prof. Dr. Mandal evaluated joint opportunities between ITU and the institute in the fields of engineering technologies, R&D, and robotics. He highlighted the institute's decisive role in the global technology ecosystem in the field of humanoid robots and its advanced research infrastructure for artificial intelligence and advanced control systems beyond product development. Our Rector emphasized the development areas that these and similar contacts hold for ITU's research capacity, joint projects, and international interaction.

 

Contacts focused on preparations for the 2026 WAITRO Summit with JITRI

Prof. Dr. Mandal visited the Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), which serves as the secretariat for the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO), where he continues to serve as President. Preparations for the WAITRO Summit to be hosted by ITU in 2026 were evaluated at JITRI.

Our Rector recalled the 97th Board of Directors Meeting held in Santiago, Chile, in October and described the meeting at JITRI as a continuation of that meeting. He stated that the comprehensive discussions covered agenda items, sharing the prepared concept note with member organizations, systematically collecting feedback, and clarifying the content and methodology of the 2026 Summit in line with this. Prof. Dr. Mandal emphasized his belief that the discussions, which added momentum to the preparations for the 2026 WAITRO Summit, would have a greater impact on the global research and innovation ecosystem.