Dean Message

Universities are institutions where knowledge is not only transmitted, but where its meaning, boundaries, and responsibilities are examined together. Engineering and natural sciences stand at the center of this intellectual space. Beyond the production of technical knowledge, these fields provide fundamental grounds that deepen humanity’s relationship with the world, with knowledge itself, and with the future. Today, when educating engineers or scientists, the question we ask is no longer simply “what do they know,” but rather “how do they think, what do they question, and what kind of responsibility do they carry.”

The Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Yeditepe University is an academic institution shaped by this understanding. Our Faculty approaches engineering and fundamental sciences not merely as professional fields, but as integral components of intellectual discipline, ethical responsibility, and social contribution. Our aim is to educate individuals who do not merely follow the pace of a rapidly changing world, but who understand, guide, and give meaning to that change.

Our educational philosophy is built upon a solid foundation. While core courses in basic sciences and engineering develop our students’ analytical thinking skills, advanced courses in the upper years integrate this foundation with practice and production. At the same time, we embrace an approach that extends education beyond classrooms and laboratories by enriching it with social sciences, ethics, economics, and historical context. We believe that knowledge gains meaning only when considered within its context.

The designation “Engineering and Natural Sciences” reflects a conscious choice grounded in this holistic perspective. This name change signifies our commitment to an academic approach in which engineering is not separated from the natural sciences, but developed in close dialogue with them. We recognize that engineering without understanding nature, and scientific progress detached from humanity, is neither sustainable nor meaningful.

In this Faculty, we expect our students not to produce ready-made answers, but to learn how to ask the right questions. Educating individuals who question, continuously learn, and carry responsibility toward both nature and society is a fundamental mission of our Faculty.

International collaborations, exchange programs, and academic engagement across disciplines serve as our windows to the world. Yet what matters most to us is transforming these opportunities into educational experiences that broaden our students’ intellectual horizons and shape them not only as globally competitive individuals, but also as individuals guided by universal values.

The Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Yeditepe University embraces an understanding of education that views knowledge not as an end result, but as a journey. Our goal in this journey goes beyond training professionals; it is to cultivate individuals who think, create, and take responsibility. This Faculty is a space of thought that prepares not only for the needs of today, but also for the questions of tomorrow that we have yet to name.

We believe that education gains its true value when thinking, creating, and taking responsibility come together. We are confident that all students who embark on this journey will find a Faculty environment that supports their academic and personal development, and I wish for a future in which we think together, create together, and share responsibility together.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Durman
Rector of Yeditepe University and
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences