Highlighting that they place strong emphasis on practical training to help Software Engineering students, one of the professions of the future, gain real-world experience in their career journeys, Software Engineer Asst. Prof. Mehmet Kaan İldiz said: “While preparing our students for a strong career after graduation, we support theoretical courses with hands-on projects.”
Explaining the vision of the Software Engineering Department, Dr. İldiz noted: “Our vision is to train engineers who will shape the technologies of the future. We also aim to offer our students global career opportunities through international collaborations.”
Asst. Prof. Mehmet Kaan İldiz, from the Department of Software Engineering (English) at Üsküdar University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, shared the objectives of software engineering education, the curriculum, and the opportunities provided to students.
Emphasizing that the department’s educational approach focuses on developing core engineering skills while targeting all potential application areas in the field, Dr. İldiz stated:“For this reason, while enabling students to benefit from emerging software application areas in healthcare informatics and health services, fields in which we are particularly strong, we also introduce them to domains where they can transform their skills into areas of specialization through collaborations with numerous international partners.”
Projects That Turn Theory into Practice and Entrepreneurship Support
Emphasizing the importance of practical applications for students to gain authentic experiences in their career paths, Dr. İldiz continued: “While preparing our students for a strong career after graduation, we support theoretical courses with hands-on projects. Thanks to seminars conducted with industry experts, project-based courses, and entrepreneurship support, students have the opportunity to get to know the dynamics of the business world during their academic years. Within our university, at YAZAMER (Artificial Intelligence and Smart Systems Application and Research Center), we carry out TÜBİTAK- and EU-supported international projects (DAIsy, MedGPT, SpectralHealth). These projects involve numerous national and international external stakeholders and technology partnerships. We also provide students with designated working areas within these projects, enabling them to experience the fields of software applications in the R&D sector.”
The Curriculum Prepares Students for Future Technologies
Explaining that the curriculum is designed to prepare students for future technologies, Dr. İldiz stated:“Our curriculum includes programming languages (C, Java, Python, etc.), database management systems, software development methodologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile application development, and cloud computing. In addition, with electives such as software security, big data analytics, and game development, students can pursue their individual areas of interest. In recent years, we have added an internationally standardized course on Unity to support game/program development. At the same time, to better highlight the role of software engineering in the industrial sector, we have included elective courses on layered manufacturing engineering based on various programming languages (such as gcode).”
Laboratories as Innovation Hubs for Students
Emphasizing that students take an active role not only in the classroom but also in research projects, Dr. Mehmet Kaan İldiz, Assistant Professor, stated: “Thanks to our modern computer laboratories and project support environments, students are able to transform theoretical knowledge into practice. Participation in hackathons, competitions, and R&D projects is encouraged, providing a foundation for the development of their creativity. Our students also actively participate in competitions such as TEKNOFEST (2024–2025). Two of our projects that have reached the final stage are being carried out by a multidisciplinary team together with students from the STEM Club. Innovative projects are being developed with students, such as virtual reality-based game development for healthcare technologies, therapeutic device design using 3D printers, and interactive systems based on EEG data. In this way, students have the opportunity to use software across different fields to develop solutions that provide both technical and social benefits.”
Internships and Industry Collaborations Give Students Real Client Experience
Highlighting that strong ties with the industry allow students to gain experience early on, Dr. İldiz said: “Our department collaborates with software companies and technology centers. Through mandatory internship programs, students gain industry experience. In addition, thanks to collaborative projects, they have the opportunity to contribute to real client projects even during their academic years. Within our institution, we also have faculty members who run their own startups and companies within incubation centers. In this sense, we provide environments where students can gain experience in the commercialization of academic activities. Our BrainPark unit provides students with a shared platform in this area.”
“We Have Established a Strong Support Network for Our Alumni”
Emphasizing that career support services continue not only during students’ academic years but also after graduation, Dr. İldiz stated: “Through Üsküdar University Career Center, we provide our alumni with guidance and mentorship support. Networking opportunities are enhanced through alumni-student meetings, ensuring that our students are not left alone during their transition to professional life. Our alumni association also extends this support to all our graduates.”
“Our Vision is to Train the Engineers of the Future”
Explaining the department’s goals, Dr. İldiz concluded: As the Software Engineering Department, our vision is to train engineers who will shape the technologies of the future. In addition to fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, augmented and virtual reality, we plan to develop new academic programs focusing on healthcare technologies, bioinformatics, industrial software solutions, and smart systems. We also aim to provide our students with global career opportunities through international collaborations.”