Prof. Burhan Pektaş, Vice Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (MDBF), elaborated on the opportunities offered to students who wish to develop future technologies.
"We are training individuals who produce technology"
Prof. Burhan Pektaş emphasized that students who wish to be part of teams developing future technologies cannot rely solely on strong theoretical education, stating, “For students who want to be part of teams developing future technologies, strong theoretical education alone is not enough; an interdisciplinary working culture, research infrastructure, and practical experience are also of great importance. Üsküdar University brings together fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, biotechnology, and neuroscience within the same ecosystem, offering its students the opportunity to work with different disciplines.”
Prof. Pektaş stated that students actively participate in research projects during their undergraduate education, saying, "Our students can participate in research projects, work in laboratory environments, and develop solutions to real problems throughout their undergraduate education. This way, our graduates are trained not only as technology users but also as technology producers."
In the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Technical Knowledge Alone is Not Enough
Prof. Burhan Pektaş stated that artificial intelligence is reshaping the engineering profession, saying, "In the age of artificial intelligence, technical knowledge remains a fundamental requirement; however, it is no longer sufficient on its own. Engineering candidates must also possess analytical thinking, problem-solving, critical evaluation, data literacy, teamwork, and effective communication skills."
Prof. Pektaş stated that engineers who can understand the societal impacts of technology will come to the forefront, continuing as follows:
"Ethical awareness, a lifelong learning habit, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing technologies are of great importance. Future engineers will be professionals who not only develop algorithms but also evaluate the societal impacts of technology."
New Specialization Areas Are Rapidly Emerging
Prof. Burhan Pektaş stated that artificial intelligence brings many new specialization areas, expressing, "I believe that in the coming years, fields such as AI-supported systems engineering, autonomous systems engineering, AI security, explainable AI, bioinformatics and computational biology, digital health technologies, smart manufacturing systems, and industrial data analytics will gain even more importance."
Prof. Pektaş stated that studies based on human-machine interaction will also gain importance in the new era, adding, "We foresee that new specialization areas arising from the combination of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and disciplines focusing on human-machine interaction, will also develop rapidly."
Health, Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence Under One Roof
Prof. Burhan Pektaş stated that one of Üsküdar University's most important differentiators is its interdisciplinary education model, expressing his thoughts as follows: "One of Üsküdar University's most important advantages is its ability to bring engineering sciences together with health, biotechnology, and behavioral sciences under the same academic roof. Thanks to this structure, students are introduced not only to classical engineering problems but also to current fields such as health technologies, biological data analysis, digital health applications, and AI-supported decision systems. Thus, our graduates gain versatile competencies to work in different sectors."
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Became the Common Language of the Faculty
Prof. Burhan Pektaş emphasized that artificial intelligence and data science are no longer solely the domain of computer engineering, continuing:
"Today, artificial intelligence and data science have become common areas of study for Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bioengineering, and other related departments. In our faculty, students have the opportunity to take courses from different disciplines and integrate data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence applications into their own areas of expertise."
Students Develop Real Projects
Prof. Burhan Pektaş stated that theoretical education is supported by practical application, saying, "Our students develop projects addressing real problems within the scope of graduation projects, research projects, TEKNOFEST activities, laboratory applications, and various academic-industry collaborations. There is a wide range of practical work opportunities, from AI-based decision support systems to robotic applications, biological data analysis, and cybersecurity solutions. This process significantly contributes to students converting their theoretical knowledge into practice."
Students Meet the Industry Before Graduation
Prof. Burhan Pektaş stated that university-industry collaborations are constantly developing, concluding, "Our students have the opportunity to work with technology companies, software firms, defense industry organizations, health technology companies, and various R&D centers within the scope of internships, projects, and research activities. Furthermore, our career center and industry stakeholders support our students in familiarizing themselves with the professional business world early on. This enables students to gain industry experience before graduation and make a stronger start to their careers."
