17.2.2 Cross sectoral dialogue about SDGs
Boğaziçi University's Participation in the Cross-Sectoral Dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals
Within the scope of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Boğaziçi University initiates and actively participates in cross-sectoral dialogues involving non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government representatives through activities such as conferences, summits and panels organized through its Application and Research Centers and student societies.
1. Green Business Summit
Organized by Boğaziçi University Operations Research Club (BÜYAK), Green Business Summit, Turkey's first university-based business sustainability summit, was held on April 9, 2023 at Boğaziçi University Garanti Cultural Center. The summit was open to anyone with an interest in sustainability and brought together key stakeholders from the business world and participants to voice the demand for a more livable world.
Evidence
2. Climate-Water-Agriculture Summit for a Sustainable Future
On April 28, 2023, the Climate-Water-Agriculture Summit for a Sustainable Future, organized by Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Implementation Center and Argo TV, organized panels on important issues such as climate change, water scarcity and sustainable agriculture. Experts and representatives from various sectors attended the summit.
Evidence
3. Izmir Economic Congress
The Izmir Economic Congress, organized under the auspices of the Presidency and hosted by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, was held on 29-30 April 2023. At this congress, Prof. Dr. M. Levent Kurnaz from Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Implementation Center participated in the panel titled “Climate Change and Turkey on the Path to a Sustainable Environment”.
Evidence
4. Watsons Sustainability and Innovation Summit
Watsons Sustainability and Innovation Summit, organized on October 19-20, 2023 in collaboration with Boğaziçi University Innovation and Competitiveness Focused Development Studies Application and Research Center and Galatasaray University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, brought together senior executives, academics, university students and sustainability experts from many sectors. The summit focused on the exchange of information on sustainability, different perspectives and new collaboration opportunities.
Evidence
5. Bosphorus Energy Summit
The annual Bosphorus Energy Summit was held on November 18, 2023. The summit brought together leading names in the sector, addressing topics such as energy production routes, energy trade, and sustainable energy.
Evidence
6. 2nd Farm Summit
The 2nd Farm Summit, organized on December 5, 2023 at Boğaziçi University in partnership with Agro TV and TÜSEDAD and under the consultancy of BOUNTARIM, opened current issues on the dairy sector and sustainability to discussion. The summit was attended by NGO members, members of the press and academics.
Evidence
7. 5th Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Summit
The 5th Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Summit, organized by Boğaziçi University Lifelong Learning Center (BÜYEM) on December 14, 2023, was held with the theme of “Triple Transformation” with the participation of academia, business world and public representatives. In the summit, which was organized with online sessions, triple transformation issues were discussed from a sustainability perspective.
Evidence
8. COP28 Climate Conference
The role of universities in achieving the “Net Zero Emission Goal” was discussed in cooperation with Boğaziçi University and UN SDSN Turkey at the Turkey Pavilion held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 3, 2023 as part of the COP28 Climate Conference. The session focused on education, research and implementation activities for sustainable campuses and communities. A “Climate Change Assessment Meeting for Turkey” was hosted by Boğaziçi University on December 21, 2023 to assess the outcomes of COP28.
Evidence
Through these conferences and summits, Boğaziçi University initiates cross-sectoral dialogue and develops strong collaborations with government, NGOs and the private sector in line with sustainable development goals.
United Kingdom Delegation Visits Boğaziçi University's First and Only Carbon-Negative Biorefinery in Europe
Experts from the British Embassy in Ankara, the British Consulate General, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited the first and only carbon-negative biorefinery in Europe, located at Boğaziçi University's Sarıtepe Campus and opened in 2022.
The delegation was briefed by Dr. Berat Haznedaroğlu, a faculty member at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, on microalgae-based R&D studies conducted under the INDEPENDENT project. The INDEPENDENT project is funded by the EU and Turkey and supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and investigates the impact of microalgae in the fields of energy, food, health, environment, agriculture and livestock.
The project results have attracted national and international attention. Studies on microalgae were also tested in experiments at the International Space Station as part of the Turkish National Space Programme and have given hope for manned space travel.
The UK delegation was shown the activities at the biorefinery, and Dr. Sema Dumanlı Oktar from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering also contributed to the meeting.
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https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/birlesik-kralliktan-avrupanin-ilk-ve-tek-karb/2825
Dutch Delegation Reviews Microalgae Research at Boğaziçi University
On 9 October 2024, a delegation led by Innovation Attaché Rory Nuijens and comprising ministry representatives from the fields of economy, climate, agriculture, fisheries, and entrepreneurship visited the first and only carbon-negative biorefinery in Europe, located at Boğaziçi University's Kilyos Campus. The visit took place within the framework of the Integrated Biorefinery Concept Project for Bioeconomy-Driven Development (INDEPENDENT).
Pioneering R&D Studies on Microalgae
Dr. Berat Haznedaroğlu, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, provided the delegation with comprehensive information on microalgae production and R&D activities carried out at the biorefinery. Volkan Özgüz, General Manager of the Technology Transfer Office, and Ahmet Buğra Başer, Intellectual Property Rights Coordinator, also attended the visit.
The potential of microalgae for use in various sectors such as energy, food, health, environment, agriculture, and animal husbandry was highlighted. The delegation toured the facilities where microalgae are produced and received details about commercialised products at the biorefinery.
Contribution to Space Research and International Cooperation
Dr. Haznedaroğlu emphasised that research on microalgae is not limited to Earth but has also been extended to space missions. He stated that the results obtained from the ‘Microalgal Life Support Units for Space Missions’ (UzMAn) project, carried out by astronaut Alper Gezeravcı at the International Space Station within the scope of the Turkish National Space Programme, hold great promise for the future of human space travel.
He stated that projects developed in the first carbon-negative biorefinery of the European Union and Turkey have received national and international support and created new opportunities for cooperation in sustainability-focused innovation.
The Dutch delegation's visit strengthened scientific and technological cooperation between Boğaziçi University and Europe. This visit is considered an important step towards increasing joint projects and opening new opportunities for collaboration in the fields of sustainability and innovation.
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https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/hollandadan-bogazicinin-mikroalg-calismalarin/2865
Europe's Leading Eight Universities Gather at Boğaziçi University Under the NeurotechEU Initiative
NeurotechEU (The European University of Brain and Technology) Istanbul Meeting took place at Boğaziçi University on 13-14 November 2024. Organised under the NeurotechEU umbrella, established in 2020 through the collaboration of Europe's eight leading higher education institutions in the field of neuroscience, the event brought together scientists, researchers and students to evaluate projects in the field of neuroscience.
In his speech at the meeting, Boğaziçi University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci İnci emphasised the importance the university attaches to international collaborations, noting that the most successful students in Turkey choose Boğaziçi, the number of international academics is increasing, and the university will continue to support European-wide collaborations such as NeurotechEU.
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NeurotechEU Coordinator and Boğaziçi University Biomedical Engineering Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Can Ali Yücesoy stated that the strong integration established by eight higher education institutions in Europe has led to significant advances in neuroscience research and serves as a model for the rest of the world.
At the event, NeurotechEU Coordinator Richard van Wezel also noted that this collaboration has provided important exchange and development opportunities for many experts and students from across Europe.
The NeurotechEU alliance includes Radboud University from the Netherlands, Miguel Hernández de Elche University from Spain, Karolinska Institute from Sweden, Bonn University from Germany, Cluj-Napoca University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Romania, Lille University from France, Reykjavík University from Iceland, and Boğaziçi University from Turkey. This collaboration encompasses approximately 180,000 students and 90,000 staff members.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/bilim/4/avrupanin-onde-gelen-sekiz-universitesi-neuro/2881
UN SDSN Turkey Meeting Speaker, Rector Prof. Dr. İnci: “As Universities, We Must Be Leaders in Sustainability”
Speaking at the UN SDSN (United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network) Turkey 10th Anniversary Event and Members' Meeting held at Boğaziçi University on 27 December 2024, Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Naci İnci emphasised that universities must take a leading role in the field of sustainability. Prof. Dr. İnci stated, “We must become leaders in sustainability not just to look better in rankings, but through joint projects that bring tangible benefits to society, the environment, and the economy.”
Noting that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set in 2015 are still largely unmet, Prof. Dr. İnci said that only 16 per cent of the global targets have been achieved, while the remaining 84 per cent have stalled or regressed. ‘Ecological crises and social polarisation are deepening in many parts of the world. Universities have a more active responsibility in solving these challenges,’ she added.
UN SDSN Global Chair Prof. Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, who participated in the meeting online, referred to Turkey's vital role in regional crises and said that sustainability cannot be discussed where there is no peace. In addition, representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change shared developments from COP29 and preparations for the comprehensive climate summit that Turkey will host in 2025.
Boğaziçi University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Gürkan Kumbaroğlu evaluated the progress made in sustainability in 2024 and the priorities for 2025 with the participants.
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SDSN Turkey Members and Stakeholders Meeting at Boğaziçi University
Hosted by Boğaziçi University since 2014, the UN SDSN Turkey (Sustainable Development Solutions Network) Members and Stakeholders Meeting, held in 2025, took place at the South Campus under the theme ‘SDSN Initiatives in Light of Current Developments.’
The event brought together members and stakeholders to share and evaluate SDSN Turkey's current projects and collaborations aimed at achieving sustainable development goals.
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/diger/6/sdsn-turkiye-uyeler-ve-paydaslar-bulusmasi-bo/2909
2024 Sustainability Report SDG-17 (Related Section)
Cross-Sectoral Dialogue for the SDGs
Boğaziçi University initiates and participates in cross-sectoral dialogues involving non-governmental organizations and government representatives towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)through events such as conferences, summits and panels organized through its Application and Research Centers and student societies.
1. Green Business Summit
Organised by Boğaziçi University Operations Research Club (BÜYAK), Turkey's first university-based business sustainability summit, Green Business Summit was held on 9 April 2023 at Boğaziçi University Garanti Cultural Center. Open to anyone with an interest in sustainability, the summit brought together key stakeholders and participants from the business world to voice the demand for a more livable world.
For more information, please click here:
http://buyaktif.org/etkinlikanasayfa.php?etkinlik_id=22
2. Climate-Water-Agriculture Summit for a Sustainable Future
The Climate-Water-Agriculture Summit for a Sustainable Future was held on 28 April 2023 at Boğaziçi University in cooperation with Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Implementation Centre and Argo TV. Representatives and experts from various sectors operating in the fields of sustainable agriculture, water and climate crisis participated in the summit, where three different panels were organised under the titles of ‘Our Diminishing Water While the Climate is Rapidly Changing’,‘Sustainability for the Future’ and‘Production for Sustainable Food’.
Click here for more information:
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/kampus/2/gelecegin-surdurulebilir-tarimi-bogazicinde-t/2693
3. Izmir Economic Congress
Izmir Economic Congress was held on 29-30 April 2023 under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey and hosted by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance with the main theme of‘Turkish Economy on the Path to Becoming a Global Economic Power’ with the participation of bureaucrats, academicians, economists, sectoral representatives and representatives of non-governmental organisations. At the Congress, Prof. Dr. M. Levent KURNAZ from Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Implementation Centre (İklimBU) participated in the panel‘Turkey on the Path to Climate Change and a Sustainable Environment’.
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4. Watsons Sustainability and Innovation Summit
Watsons Sustainability and Innovation Summit, organised byBoğaziçi University Innovation and Competitiveness Focused Development Studies Application and Research Centre and Galatasaray University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre on 19-20 October 2023, brought together senior executives, academicians, university students and sustainability experts from many sectors with the theme of‘Innovative Steps to a Sustainable Future’. This summit, which acts as a bridge between the private sector, universities and NGOs, has created a basis for information exchange on sustainability, different perspectives and new partnerships.
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5. Boğaziçi Energy Summit
The Boğaziçi Energy Summit, which brings together the leading names of the sector every year and offers the opportunity to share and discuss studies in the field of energy and sustainability, was held on 18 November 2023. At the summit; many energy-related issues from sustainable energy to energy trade, from energy production routes to vehicle fuels were discussed.
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For more information, please click here:
https://buec.com.tr/bogazici-enerji-zirvesi/
6. 2nd Boğaziçi Farm Summit
The 2nd Farm Summit, which was held on 5 December 2023 at Boğaziçi University under the consultancy of BOUNTARIM, in partnership with Agro TV and TÜSEDAD, was held with the intense participation of leading names of the sector, members of the press, academicians and NGO members. Current developments in the dairy sector, problems and solution proposals of the sector were discussed at the summit, and the prominent topics of the summit were sustainability and planned production.
7. 5th Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Summit
The 5th Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Summit was held on 14 December 2023 with the theme of ‘Triple Transformation’ by Boğaziçi University Lifelong Learning Centre (BÜYEM) with the contributions of United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) Turkey. In the summit organised with online sessions; the projects and studies of institutions and individuals for ‘Triple Transformation’ in solving the ecological, economic and social problems we are experiencing, the road map of triple transformation from the perspective of sustainability were discussed with academia, business world, public and NGO representatives.
Click here for more information:
http://ksszirvesibogazici.com/
Click here to watch the summit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVoV0e_nPY
8. COP28 Conference Turkey Pavilion
Within the scope of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28 ) held in the United Arab Emirates, a session hosted by Boğaziçi University and UN SDSN Turkeywas held at the Turkey Pavilionon 3 December 2023. During the session, the role of universities in achieving Turkey's ‘Net Zero Emission Target’ was discussed, and education, research and implementation activities for sustainable campuses and societies were discussed. In order to evaluate the outputs of the COP28 conference,‘Climate Change Assessment Meeting for Turkey’ was held on 21 December 2023, hosted by Boğaziçi University İklimBU in cooperation with Yuvam Dünya and AGRO TV.
Click here for more information:
https://unsdsn.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/cop-28-role-universities-decarbonization-net-zero
Click here to watch the COP28 Evaluation Meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-a-8sQKxWk
