INTRODUCTION: OVERALL GOVERNANCE
Brief Overview of Sabancı University
Sabancı University (SU), established in 1997 and commencing educational activities in 1999, is a private not-for-profit foundation dedicated to fostering innovative programs and educating critically minded students in Turkey Within just a decade, SU has made significant progress in achieving its mission to develop competent individuals who reflect critically and independently, while also instilling a strong sense of social responsibility The university is committed to advancing science and technology and sharing the knowledge it generates for the benefit of the community.
From the outset of discussions to establish SU, including a small international conference to define the university's vision, we recognized the importance of focusing on research, education, and training that prioritize learning to learn, teamwork, fundamental skills, and creativity Our approach is interdisciplinary, empowering students to pursue their own goals and ideals The guiding philosophy and motto of SU reflect these core values.
“Creating and developing together” in an innovative, interdisciplinary institution, responsive to the needs of all its constituents through a participatory and team-based culture
SU has a total enrollment of 3,604 students, including 2,958 undergraduates and 646 graduates The university is organized into three faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS), and the Faculty of Management (FMAN), along with the School of Languages (SL) It employs 156 full-time faculty members, 47 part-time faculty, and 32 adjunct or practice faculty, supported by 304 full-time administrative staff Notably, 86% of full-time faculty hold doctorates from international institutions, with the Faculty of Management having 82% of its faculty possessing similar qualifications.
Brief Overview of Faculty of Management (FMAN)
The smallest of the three existing faculties, the FMAN began as the Graduate School of Management in
In 1999, we introduced full-time MBA, Executive MBA, and PhD programs Recognizing the growing demand for business education among undergraduate students, we launched an undergraduate management program in 2003 under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) Our latest degree offerings, including Leaders for Industry, ITM, and Masters in Finance, provide Master of Science degrees FMAN currently offers a variety of degree programs tailored to meet the needs of aspiring business professionals.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Management (2003 2 )
• MBA – Full-time Program, 21 months (1999)
• Executive MBA – (EMBA) Sixteen month, part-time program for experienced managers (1999)
• Leaders for Industry (LFI) – a dual degree program Masters in Management and Masters in Engineering offered with the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (2001)
• Information Technology in Management (ITM) – a one year Masters degree program, offered for full-time working professionals (2005)
1 Private foundation universities are a relatively new phenomenon in Turkey, beginning in the late 80’s with Bilkent
University in Ankara Today there are 127 universities in Turkey of which 33 are foundation universities, with Sabancı clearly in the top tier of these, along with Bilkent and Koỗ universities
2 Years in the parentheses indicate the first year classes were offered.
• Masters in Finance – a one year full time program (2008)
• PhD in Management – offered only for specialization in Operations Management, Organization Studies and Finance 3 (1999)
Table 1 Comparison of FMAN Degree Programs
Executive MBA MBA MiF ITM LFI
Awarded MBA MBA MSc in Finance MS in ITM MSc in Man and
Career Stage Average 10 years work experience Average work experience < 1 year Average work experience < 1 year Average 18 months work experience
60% with Manager or higher position
Average ALES 83 and IBT TOEFL 93
Average ALES 72 and IBT TOEFL 83
Average ALES 89 and IBT TOEFL 98
Requirements Bachelor's degree, interview, ALES and TOEFL/SU ELAE
Bachelor's degree, interview, GMAT, ALES and TOEFL/SU ELAE.
ALES and TOEFL/SU ELAE
ALES/ and TOEFL/SU ELAE;
BSc degree in Engineering, interview, ALES and TOEFL
Length 16 months 21 months 10,5 months 12 months 21 months
(including summer) Format Part-time, weekends Full-time Full-time Part-time Full-time
Henley Management College in organizing international field trips.
International exchange opportunities available with schools in the US, Europe and Asia
International exchange opportunity is available through the Erasmus program.
International exchange opportunities with schools in Europe.
* internship (or project under special circumstances)
Specialized program that combines IT with Management
General Man & Specialist Eng Curriculum;
YTL 22,500 (tuition) &YTL 500 (technology fee)
Program partners and University finances the program
In addition, members of the FMAN are strong contributors to programs run by SU’s Executive
Development Unit (EDU), the Entrepreneur Development Program (GGP), the Corporate Governance Forum of Turkey, (CGFT) and the Competitiveness Forum (REF)
As the youngest institution among Turkey's top universities, we have achieved remarkable success in under a decade since our establishment Our university and its Faculty of Management and Administrative Sciences (FMAN) are recognized as a rising star in the Turkish academic landscape This success is attributed to our innovative programs, outstanding students and faculty, and strong partnerships within the academic community.
Our PhD in Management provides specialized areas of study only where we have sufficient faculty expertise, with plans to introduce a marketing specialization in the near future The FMAN culture, rooted in integrity, respect, and adaptability, fosters a strong commitment among both academic and administrative staff to the faculty's mission and objectives.
University Governance
The Higher Education Act and the Higher Education Council (YệK) set the fundamental performance expectations for faculties at both private and public universities The Council is responsible for approving higher education programs before their launch, regulating and auditing teaching, research, governance, planning, and organizational activities of institutions Additionally, it monitors students and faculty members, certifies the equivalency of international degrees, and addresses issues of academic misconduct.
Non-profit foundation universities enjoy administrative and financial flexibility within the framework of centralized higher education regulations, provided they adhere to the established procedures and principles related to academic activities, faculty recruitment, and discipline As a private foundation university, SU has the autonomy to manage its affairs and set additional expectations for its faculty, in alignment with the rules and regulations set forth by its Board of Trustees.
At SU and within FMAN, we foster a participative culture where initiatives originate from grassroots levels and are discussed in faculty forums before reaching decision-making bodies like the Dean's Council or Academic Council We prioritize the inclusion of stakeholders, especially students and business community members, in our decision-making processes Any decisions requiring substantial resources must be approved by the Administrative Council, which consists of the University Rector, General Secretary, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees.
As a young and small university, we benefit from a collaborative academic leadership structure, led by the Dean’s Council, which fosters a collegial environment among the Deans, Directors, and the Rector Our low bureaucracy allows for swift decision-making, ensuring that proposals, including our potential CEMS membership, receive strong backing from both university leadership and the broader community We are confident in securing the necessary support, whether financial or otherwise.
Finances and Support for CEMS
Sabancı University (SU) is primarily funded by university-generated income, including tuition, research grants, and corporate projects, alongside financial support from the Sabancı Foundation The Sabancı Group, a major publicly traded corporation in Turkey, is largely controlled by the Sabancı Family and has a long-standing commitment to philanthropy Established in 1974, the Sabancı Foundation, along with SU, represents a significant aspect of the family's philanthropic contributions to society.
The Sabancı Foundation maintains an endowment dedicated to supporting various social initiatives of the Sabancı family, particularly focusing on Sabancı University (SU) This endowment is bolstered by annual contributions from multiple companies within the Sabancı Group, as mandated by their Articles of Association A significant portion of these funds is allocated to SU, which operates on an annual budget of approximately 95 million YTL, with around 20% of this budget sourced from the Sabancı Foundation.
Foundation, 63% from tuition and 17% from other sources (e.g research grants, company projects)
At SU, financial planning occurs at the university level with a calendar year budgeting process Each faculty and administrative unit submits their financial plans and budget requirements by the end of October to the general secretary's office These plans are then consolidated and aligned with the university's financial strategies through negotiations The finalized budget is presented for approval at the Board of Trustees' December meeting Notably, this year's budgeting will begin before the CEMS decision is announced, so additional support staff for the CEMS program will be included in the 2009 budget.
Once we achieve CEMS membership approval, we will need to submit our new Masters in International Management (MIM) program to the Higher Education Council of Turkey (YệK) for legal compliance, a requirement for all universities in the country Given our 100% track record in obtaining such approvals, we anticipate a smooth process; however, we must prepare for the fact that YệK’s bureaucratic procedures typically take several months.
ACADEMIC REPUTATION OF FMAN
Research Policy and Climate
The FMAN is committed to recruiting, developing, and evaluating faculty members who possess the necessary training and motivation for impactful research and contributions to management knowledge through peer-reviewed publications As evidenced by the individual CVs of our faculty (See Annex 1), 82% of our full-time faculty hold doctorates from esteemed international institutions Additionally, faculty members who completed their graduate studies in Turkey have also engaged in substantial periods of study or research abroad.
As a young institution, our primary focus has been on attracting top-tier faculty members educated at prestigious universities Over the past five years, we have successfully expanded our full-time faculty from 13 to 28 Our recruitment strategy emphasizes fulfilling our teaching commitments while striving to establish a "critical mass" in essential disciplines, enabling young scholars to collaborate on research, teaching, and curriculum development.
One of our latest achievements has been the recruitment of Prof Mete Soner, former Dean of the
The College of Administrative Sciences and Economics at Koç University has established the Işık Inselbağ Chair of Finance, marking the university’s first chair in this discipline Prof Soner, a distinguished scholar previously holding a named chair at Princeton University, has returned to Turkey and is recognized as the only Turkish scholar in the Thompson ISI Highly Cited Researcher Ranking Additionally, he is the first Turkish scientist to receive an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) His appointment, which began on September 1, 2007, is expected to significantly enhance FMAN’s research in finance.
Table 2 Pace and Disciplinary Focus of FMAN Recruitment Activities
By Date… Breakdown of new recruits by discipline
December 2009 2 FIN, 1 ACC, 1 STRG, 1 MKTG CHAIR December 2008 1 FIN, 1 OM/IS, 1 MKTG
December 2007 1 OM/IS, 1 FIN, 1 OB December 2006 2 FIN, 1 MKTG, 1 OT December 2005 1 STRG, 1 OM/IS, 1 FIN, 1 ACCT, 1 MKTG December 2004 2 OM/IS, 1 MKTG
The breakdown of FMAN full time faculty is as follows:
• Management and Organization: 5 faculty with strengths in cross-cultural and international management and organization theory
• Accounting: 2 faculty with strengths in financial accounting
• Finance: 5 faculty with strengths in corporate governance, mathematical finance and portfolio management.
• Marketing: 5 faculty with strengths in international marketing, brand management and quantitative marketing.
• Operations Management and Information Systems: 8 faculty with strengths in supply chain management, mathematical modeling and optimization and facility location.
• Management and Strategy: 4 faculty with strengths in organizations & strategy and political and development economics Many do research focused on the Turkish context
This year we are aggressively recruiting in Finance, Accounting, Management and Strategy and for a senior chaired position in Marketing (the Sabancı Group Chair in Marketing Excellence)
The following table gives an overview of all full-time faculty members including their research interests.
Area Faculty Members PhD Areas of Interest
Accounting Mine Aksu Syracuse University,
USA Troubled debt restructurings, financial distress, valuation; initial public offerings.
Management accounting, Inter-organizational relationships, performance measurement
Finance Hakan Orbay Stanford University,
USA Corporate finance, corporate governance, firm theory.
Finance Kemal Saatỗioğlu The University of
Texas at Austin, USA corporate governance, market microstructure, emerging markets, corporate finance,
Finance Akın Sayrak University of Texas at Austin, USA Corporate diversification and governance, optimal compensation schemes in diversified firms.
Finance Mete Soner Brown University,
USA mathematical finance, Nonlinear partial differential equations;
Finance Koray Şimşek Princeton University,
USA Financial optimization, , asset liability management, financial econometrics, derivative pricing
Organization Mahmut Bayazıt Cornell University,
USA Organizational behavior, leadership, managerial decision-making.
Cross-cultural management; international human resource management; organizational culture; management pedagogy.
Organization ệzgecan Koỗak Stanford University,
USA Organization theory, sociology of markets
Organization Behlỹl ĩsdiken Istanbul University,
Turkey Organization theory, history of management thought
Organization Arzu Wasti University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, USA
Cross-cultural organizational psychology, human resources management
Marketing Emine Batislam University of
Missouri-Rolla, USA Performance measures, service marketing, service operations.
Sheffield, UK Retail competition, consumer behavior, direct marketing
Marketing Cenk Koỗaş Purdue University,
USA Game theoretical models of price promotions, industrial organization,
Marketing Burcu Taşoluk Michigan State
University, USA international marketing, global branding, global new product management
Marketing ệzge Turut Harvard Business
Innovation under uncertainty, R&D interface, asymmetric information models, retail channel competition.
USA Design, planning and control of discrete parts manufacturing systems, production scheduling, project scheduling
Supply chain management, combinatorial and heuristic optimization, simulation modeling and analysis.
Burỗin Bozkaya University of Alberta,
Canada combinatorial modeling and optimization, heuristic algorithms, transportation and logistics planning, geographical information systems
Meltem Denizel University of Florida,
Production planning, flexible manufacturing systems, mathematical modeling, supply chain management, e-business.
Enes Eryarsoy University of Florida,
Data mining, scheduling, IS economics, machine learning, and telecommunication
Systems ầağrı Haksửz New York University,
Supply chain risk management, real options, operational risk management, intelligent demand forecasting,
Nihat Kasap University of Florida,
Pricing and quality of service in telecommunication networks, heuristic design and optimization, data mining and machine learning
Muhittin Oral Case Institute of
Competitiveness analysis and strategy, group decision-making and consensus formation, performance analysis.
Technology management, industrial economics, development economics.
Organizational change and strategic adaptation, comparative corporate governance, executive succession and selection
Strategy Ahmet ệncỹ University of Alberta,
Canada Sociology of organizations, political economy, social theory
The Economics program boasts a diverse faculty, including 11 full-time professors, two visiting professors, two network faculty members, and two part-time instructors For more details about the program and faculty, visit the official website at http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/ssbf/economics/eng/?people/faculty.php.
The European Studies program boasts a dedicated team of 13 full-time faculty members, alongside one visiting faculty and one part-time faculty member For additional details about the program and its esteemed faculty, please visit the official website at Sabancı University.
CVs of all full time faculty members are provided in Annex 1.
Recent faculty recruitments have improved our ability to balance teaching responsibilities, providing faculty members with more time for research In the 2007/2008 academic year, the average teaching load for faculty was 3-4 courses annually We aim to ensure that junior faculty, particularly those in the early stages of their careers, teach no more than 3 courses each year.
2.1.3 Personal Research Funds and Conference Support 4
Full-time faculty members receive annual Personal Research Funds (PRF) of up to $5,000, determined by their previous year's research performance, which is documented in a research performance report evaluated by the University Research Council (URC) on a scale of 1-5 These funds can be used for various research-related activities, such as attending conferences or hiring graduate assistants Incoming faculty are allocated a guaranteed $3,000 for their PRF for the first two years to support their initial publication efforts On average, faculty members in the FMAN department receive approximately $3,800 per year in PRF.
Full-time faculty members receive financial assistance to participate in national and international conferences, workshops, and seminars The FMAN offers substantial support for attending one international and one national conference annually, provided the faculty member has an accepted paper presentation With the combined support from the PRF and FMAN, most faculty members are able to attend two to three international conferences each year.
Faculty members at FMAN are entitled to summer research leaves and one or two semester sabbatical leaves based on their tenure The university has established procedures to regulate these academic leaves, which FMAN follows to foster faculty development Recently, two faculty members returned from sabbatical leaves at prestigious institutions, Cambridge University and Georgia Tech Additionally, many faculty members benefit from a flexible research leave policy during the summer, enabling them to cultivate and sustain international research collaborations.
The SU provides internal funding to support faculty research and academic initiatives, categorized into Internally Funded Research Projects and Internal Grants for Academic Activities Faculty members at FMAN are encouraged to apply for these university-wide grants to enhance their scholarly work.
The Research and Graduate Policy Directorate (ALP) plays a crucial role in keeping faculty members informed about national and international research opportunities and policies.
4 All documentation regarding University policies and procedures are available on SU Intranet and can be provided upon request.
The 5 URC consists of the Deans, the Director of the Research and Graduate Policy Unit, and a faculty member from each faculty, appointed by the Rector for a two-year term This committee plays a crucial role in identifying international grant opportunities and providing significant administrative support to faculty members during the grant application process Their efforts contribute to the impressive success of SU faculty in securing external grants, as elaborated in the following section.
2.1.6 The Research and Graduate Policy Directorate (ALP)
The Research and Graduate Policy Directorate (ALP) is a vital centralized unit that offers essential information and administrative support to faculty regarding grants and research proposals Under the leadership of Dr Cemil Arıkan and assistant director Dr Nilay Papila, ALP's mission includes facilitating institutional approval for extramural proposals, assisting in proposal writing, managing grant awards, and negotiating contracts related to research Since its inception in 1999, ALP has contributed to a consistent increase in research awards at SU, culminating in a record achievement of 38 million YTL last year.
Sabancı University (SU) has established itself as a leading research institution in Turkey, securing 25 million USD (20 million EUR) in grants, which places it among the top universities based on per capita funding The university's impressive performance extends to the FP7 program, with a total budget of 2.267.104 EUR that includes multiple prestigious grants such as seven Marie Curie International Reintegration Grants, one Capacities REGPOT, one Marie Curie Initial Training Network, two Cooperation grants, and one ERC Advanced Investigator Grant For more details about the ALP program, visit their official webpage at http://rgp.sabanciuniv.edu/eng/.
Figure 1 Comparison of Turkish Universities in Turkish National Science Foundation (TĩBİTAK)
Figure 2 Comparison of Turkish Universities in FP6 Grants
2.1.7 Network Faculty and Invited Research Seminars
The FMAN recognizes the significance of collaboration between its faculty and esteemed international academic institutions To foster these interactions, FMAN employs network faculty primarily affiliated with foreign universities These faculty members visit FMAN to teach, engage with local faculty in their disciplines, and participate in joint research initiatives For a list of current network faculty members, please visit http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/ybf/eng/?
Contributions to Research
Annex 2 provides a summary table of scholarly contributions in the last five (2003-2007) years by full- time faculty members in the FMAN, and Economics and European Studies Master of Arts (MA) programs in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) 7 In view of the fact that 23% of our full- time faculty members have only completed their doctoral studies in 2004 or later (as indicated by the patterned columns), we calculated the average annual per capita publications using relevant data only from the years after the completion of doctoral studies Accordingly, the average annual per capita output of FMAN full-time faculty members in peer-reviewed international journals is 0.70 The total of discipline-based intellectual contributions (i.e all peer-reviewed journal publications, books, book chapters, monographs, and contributions to special volumes) shows an average of 0.97 per faculty over the last five years This is impressive especially considering the substantial time that faculty members have had to spend on institution-building service activities related to the start up of the university The same calculation 8 for the FASS Economics and European Studies programs reveals that the average annual output per capita with respect to peer-reviewed international journals is 0.50 This is not surprising given that there are stronger norms towards publishing books or book chapters in social sciences Indeed, the total discipline-based intellectual contributions show an annual average of 1.18 per faculty over the last five years
Annex 2 also provides the number of citations received by the faculty members in the FMAN,
The Economics and European Studies programs at FMAN are distinguished by a faculty of internationally recognized scholars, including Prof Boyacıgiller, Prof Soner, and Prof Oral, who have made significant contributions to their fields, evidenced by their impressive citation counts of 317, 926, and 328, respectively Additionally, SU is nurturing emerging talents like Dr Bayazıt and Dr Sayrak, further enhancing the academic environment and research impact of the institution.
Dr Wasti and his colleagues are dedicated to upholding the legacy of their esteemed mentors The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) stands out in Turkey for its distinctive multidisciplinary graduate programs and is home to several distinguished senior scholars, including Prof Alkan, a member of the academic elite.
The Turkish National Academy of Sciences features distinguished professors such as Prof ệncỹ, who has received 109 citations (excluding self-citations), alongside promising younger academics like Prof Baỗ, the inaugural recipient of the Turkish Academy of Sciences’ Science Award in social sciences, and Prof Çarkoğlu, recognized for his research on political Islam and voting behavior through multiple grants Additionally, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) has hosted two Jean Monnet Chairs since 2004, held by Prof Yılmaz and Prof Mỹftỹler-Baỗ, the latter being the only research chair of its kind in Turkey.
Table 3 illustrates the editorial board roles held by faculty members from FMAN and FASS in peer-reviewed international journals, showcasing their significant contributions This data reinforces our earlier findings, emphasizing the diverse expertise at SU, particularly in areas that may not be fully represented by citation metrics or publication counts in indexed journals.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) embraces an interdisciplinary approach rather than a conventional discipline-based structure As a result, we have chosen to highlight the European Studies MA program and its dedicated full-time faculty as key contributors to the potential synergy for CEMS membership, alongside Economics.
8 17% of the full-time faculty members of FASS Economics and European Studies programs completed their doctoral studies in 2004 or later.
Table 3 Past and Present Editorial Positions held by FMAN and FASS Faculty
To evaluate SU's research performance on both national and international levels, we utilized publicly available data Although secondary data may have limitations due to the use of non-ideal metrics, it offers a more objective and verifiable approach For national comparisons, we referenced publication statistics from the Higher Education Council (YệK), accessible at http://www.yok.gov.tr/istatistikler/istatistikler.htm.
YệK offers detailed statistics on the publication of articles in ISI-indexed journals by Turkish universities, breaking down this data by faculty and department since 2004 The latest available data from YệK is from 2006, prompting a comparative analysis of the FMAN and Economics programs for the years 2004 to 2006.
In 2004, of the 94 universities in Turkey, 44 (46.8%) had Business Administration/Management
Departments Of these 44 departments, 26 (59.1%) had no publications in ISI-indexed journals Of the remaining 18 departments, the vast majority (n, 77.8%) had less than three publications in the ISI-
The European Studies MA program features a diverse faculty from various disciplines, including economics, political science, and cultural studies; however, the YệK data does not permit comparisons with other universities' indexed journals Bilkent University leads in publication output with 15 articles, followed by Koỗ University with 12, Middle East Technical University with 6, and SU with 5 In 2005, many Business Administration/Management Departments in Turkey existed, yet a significant 71% had no publications in ISI-indexed journals Among the remaining departments, only one-third achieved more than three publications, with Bilkent University again at the forefront, producing 18 publications, followed by Koỗ University with 10.
In 2006, the total number of Business Administration/Management Departments rose to 71 with the addition of two new entrants Consistent with previous years, a significant majority (71.8%) of these departments did not publish in ISI-indexed journals, and 60% had three or fewer such publications Notably, SU led in publication output with 13, followed closely by Koỗ University.
During the specified period, the Business Administration/Management Departments at Sabancı University (SU), Koç University, and Bilkent University had comparable sizes, with full-time faculty counts of 20 at SU, 18 at Koç, and 20 at Bilkent as of December 31, 2005.
In sum, the FMAN has typically ranked in the top three in Turkey with respect to total number of ISI-indexed journal publications.
A similar picture emerges regarding the Economics departments in Turkey While the number of
Economics departments without any publications is lower compared to Business
The SU Economics faculty, despite being the smallest among the top six universities with only 12 full-time faculty members, has consistently ranked in the top six out of 65 universities, achieving an average of 62.3% in Administration/Management departments When evaluating per capita publications, SU ranks in the top three alongside Koç University, following Bilkent University and Middle East Technical University.
We compared the publication performance of FMAN with that of CEMS academic members using the research ranking of European Business schools established by Baden-Fuller, Ravazzolo, and Schweizer (2000) This ranking focuses exclusively on publications in top management, finance, and marketing journals, including practitioner-oriented publications like the Harvard Business Review Notably, their comprehensive coverage of schools offers a more thorough comparison than other rankings, making it a valuable resource for evaluating academic performance.
1995-1998 period, a time when SU did not exist Thus, the FMAN total that is provided for comparison is from the 2005-2008 period.
Table 4 Top Business Journals (Baden-Fuller et al., 2000) Academy of Management Journal Journal of Banking and Finance
Academy of Management Review Journal of Finance
Administrative Science Quarterly Journal of Financial Economics
Journal of International Business Studies Journal of Futures Markets
Journal of Management Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis
Journal of Management Studies Journal of International Money and Finance
Management Science Journal of Money, Credit and Banking
Organization Studies Journal of Portfolio Management
Organization Science Review of Financial Studies
Strategic Management Journal Human Relations
10 Baden-Fuller, C., Ravazzolo, F., & Schweizer, T (2000) Making and measuring reputations: The research ranking of European Business Schools Long Range Planning, 33, 621-650.
California Management Review Human Resource Management
Harvard Business Review Journal of Consumer Research
Long Range Planning Journal of Marketing
Sloan Management Review Journal of Marketing Research
Financial Management Journal of Product Innovation Management
Journal of Business Marketing Science
Figure 3: Total Number of Publications in Top Business Journals by CEMS Members and SU (3-year data)
According to Figure 3, SU, alongside Helsinki School of Economics, ranks eighth in the number of publications in leading business journals among 19 CEMS members for which data is accessible.
Between 2003 and 2008, we analyzed the number of SSCI publications by CEMS academic members and SU, focusing exclusively on business and economics To account for the varying faculty sizes, we calculated per capita publication rates by averaging annual publications against full-time faculty numbers Our findings indicated that SU's per capita SSCI publications in business and economics stood at 0.21, comparable to other CEMS institutions like UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Copenhagen Business School, which had rates of 0.21 and 0.24, respectively Notably, SU outperformed several prominent institutions and showed competitive results against North American schools, such as the University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business, which had a rate of 0.37 Overall, SU demonstrates a commendable publication record in both quality and quantity.
11 The study by Baden-Fuller et al (2000) did not report any data on St Petersburg University.
12 More detail on the search terms can be provided upon request.
Plans for International Accreditations
As a young university, our initial focus was on internal development, including faculty recruitment and program creation, to establish essential university processes After building a strong reputation in Turkey, we shifted our efforts to enhance our international presence We recognized that obtaining accreditation from a reputable international agency would be the quickest way to showcase our credibility globally.
Table 7 Placement of FMAN PhD Graduates
Asst Prof., College of Commerce and Economics, Sultan Qaboos University, Tunisia
Asst Prof., Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of
Organizational Studies and Operations Management
Ahmet ệncỹ and Meltem Denizel
Senior Manager, MVNO Business / Marketing at Turkcell Çetin ệnder
Asst Prof., Başkent University, Faculty of Business
Several years ago, we began considering accreditation from either EFMD or AACSB, with Dean Boyacıgiller attending the joint EFMD/AACSB meeting in Paris in April 2006 to explore this option Through discussions with officials from both agencies, we determined that AACSB would likely be a better initial fit due to its more flexible, mission-based accreditation criteria Unlike EQUIS, which has strict size and internationalization ratios that we cannot meet for several years, AACSB's criteria allow for a more adaptable approach to accreditation.
Our AACSB accreditation journey commenced on August 14, 2006, culminating in the submission of our full Accreditation Plan and Self-Evaluation Report in February 2008 While our plan received substantial approval, we were required to submit a 20-page amendment by February 2009 detailing our assessment of learning goals We are committed to meeting this deadline, after which we anticipate that AACSB will schedule a visitation team, likely within 2009 Our optimism is bolstered by the guidance of our accreditation mentor, Dean John Kraft from the University of Florida, who has provided strong reassurance regarding our progress Additionally, our inclusion as a case study in an article on accreditation in BizEd, the AACSB publication, further instills confidence in our path Although there are no guarantees, we are hopeful for accreditation by 2010.
We are currently in the process of joining EFMD, with Dean Boyacıgiller set to attend the upcoming Dean's meeting in Milan this February As part of Europe and having prepared extensively for AACSB accreditation, we plan to pursue EQUIS accreditation in the future The timing of this initiative will depend on our available resources and priorities, and we greatly value the guidance from our colleagues in the CEMS community.
16 If desired we would be happy to share our AACSB Accreditation Plan, Self-Evaluation Report and Annex electronically
17 Shinn, S “Earning Excellence,” BizEd, Sept/Oct 2008:26-31 See page 29 for a description of FMAN’s views of AACSB accreditation.
PROXIMITY TO THE CORPORATE WORLD
Board of Trustees and International Board of Overseers
The University’s Board of Trustees includes prominent members from the Sabancı Group and influential leaders from the Turkish business sector, whose strategic vision enhances the institution's academic excellence.
Table 8 SU Board of Trustees Güler Sabancı Chairperson of SU Board of Trustees; Chairperson of Sabancı Group
Prof Tosun Terzioğlu Rector of SU
Prof Ahmet Aykaỗ Deputy Chair of SU Board of Trustees
Prof Banu Onural Drexel University, Dir of School of Biomedical Eng Science & Health Systems
Dr Can Paker BOY Management Services, Chairman
Dr Cem Kozlu International Airline Training Fund, Chairman
Prof Gülru Necipoğlu Kafadar Harvard University, Aga Khan Professor of Islamic Art & Architecture
Halis Komili Komili Group Company, Chairman
Sevil Sabancı Sabancı Group, Board of Directors, Board Member
Tuncay ệzilhan Anadolu Group, Chairman
SU's board members are vital in representing the university both in Turkey and internationally, fostering strong connections with key corporate, scientific, and philanthropic stakeholders Turkish law mandates that Board of Trustees members be Turkish citizens, which poses a challenge to achieving diverse perspectives essential in today's complex landscape To address this, SU has implemented two significant strategies: many Trustees, while being Turkish citizens, hold positions at international universities, and in 2005, the university established an International Board of Overseers (IBO) to offer valuable feedback and global insights to its leadership.
Table 9 International Board of Overseers Lady Barbara Thomas Judge UK Atomic Energy Authority, Chairperson
Baron Paul Buysse N.V Bekaert S.A., Chairman of the Board
Candace Johnson Johnson Paradigm Ventures, President
Charles O Holliday DuPont, Chairman of the Board and CEO
Chris Patten The Rt Hon the Lord Patten of Barnes, CH, Chancellor, Oxford University Prof David Pines Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter, Co-Director
John V Faraci International Paper Company, Chairman and CEO
Dr Katsuhiko Yamashita Toshiba Corporation, Chief Fellow
Senator Phil Gramm UBS Invesment Bank, Vice Chairman
Richard Christou Fujitsu Services, Executive Chairman
Dr Rolf E Breuer Deutsche Bank AG, Former Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Dr Shuhei Toyoda Toyota Boshoku Corporation, President
The FMAN has implemented various mechanisms to foster robust collaboration with the corporate sector, complementing its university-level connections to the business community.
FMAN is dedicated to offering a variety of innovative and challenging programs that address the evolving needs of both businesses and society By maintaining robust connections with the business community through our Board of Trustees, advisory boards, executive education initiatives, Company Action Projects (CAP) in the MBA program, and projects within the Leaders for Industry (LFI) framework, we ensure our programs remain relevant and impactful.
Technology in Management (ITM) programs offer valuable insights into the current and emerging needs of the business community This article outlines the mechanisms for incorporating corporate input into the design and implementation of our professional master’s programs, highlights our executive education and consulting activities, and discusses recent fundraising efforts Additionally, we provide an overview of our alumni and conclude with a description of corporate relations management at both the university and faculty levels.
Practice-Academia Cooperation at FMAN
Since its inception, FMAN has focused on integrating both the science and practice of management into its courses by employing Practice Faculty members who possess significant managerial experience in various sectors, including business and government These faculty members, who typically teach one to two classes annually, bring real-world expertise to the classroom in subjects such as auditing, entrepreneurship, business law, and corporate governance Notable instructors include Dr Reha Yolalan, who teaches banking in the Masters in Finance and Executive MBA programs, Dr Cüneyt Evirgen, an experienced market researcher teaching marketing, Mr Ziya Boyacigiller, an entrepreneur with 25 years in Silicon Valley teaching entrepreneurship, Dr Hasan Ersel, a former Deputy Governor of the Turkish Central Bank teaching economics, and Jan Nahum, a former CEO of Petrol Ofisi who contributes to strategy classes through guest lectures.
SU and FMAN prioritize the full-time work experience of their academic staff, a practice that sets them apart from many Turkish universities Notably, around 25% of FMAN faculty members possess relevant industry experience For instance, Dr Batislam joined FMAN after several years at The Sabancı Group, while Dr Bozkaya, an expert in Geographical Information Systems, gained industry experience in the U.S before becoming part of SU.
As mentioned briefly in the introduction, the FMAN, in addition to Bachelor and PhD degrees, offers a number of professional Master’s degrees as listed below:
- Masters in Finance (MiF) - Full-time Program
- Executive MBA (EMBA) - Sixteen-month part-time program for experienced managers
- Leaders for Industry (LFI) - Dual degree program offered with the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS)
- Information Technology in Management (ITM) – One-year Masters degree program offered for full-time working professionals
The advisory boards for professional master’s degrees play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of programs, shaping curricula, mentoring students, and enhancing marketing and alumni activities Comprised mainly of distinguished professionals from relevant industries, these boards ensure that programs align with market needs Notably, 31% of board members are alumni, offering valuable insights based on their firsthand experiences with the organization’s culture and resources For a complete list of advisory board members and their affiliations, please refer to Annex 6.
A distinctive aspect of SU's full-time MBA program is the opportunity for second-year students to collaborate with companies to address real-world challenges identified by those firms Students select from a range of projects presented by various companies, with the number of projects typically being twice that of the available project teams After forming teams and submitting proposals for solving the company's issues or achieving its goals, students work on these projects over two semesters, dedicating two days a week on-site at the firm This hands-on experience enables students to apply their classroom knowledge in practical settings, enhancing their skills in problem formulation, solution development, and implementation Additionally, these projects offer valuable work experience for students who may lack prior full-time employment The project coordinator also provides insights into the student-company interactions, contributing to feedback on the program's curriculum and administration.
Novartis Understanding Pharma marketing environment and challenges in terms of generics.
Fiat How to increase Fiat’s market share in Istanbul?
Determining an OTC Business Strategy
IBM Assessing the position of IBM in Banking Industry and developing a renewed strategy Standard ĩnlỹ Developing a derivative product for futures and options market
Coca Cola Designing a model to evaluate in store activities and merchandizing effectiveness
Iş Investment Privatization of tender process and pre-valuation research
Eti Designing a regional expansion strategy
20 06 – 2 00 7 Borusan Establishing car rental business as an alternative sales channel for the luxury segment cars.
Iş Investment Creating a new “Product” using derivatives for the Turkish market
Pınar Meat Group A marketing and growth strategy development project
Coca Cola Developing an on-line data ordering system for Point of Purchase Materials
Designing a customer centric supply chain system that gathers and reports customer inventory data
Product launch plan for high jump Supply Chain Execution Solutions (SCE) software in Turkey
Air Ties New Product Introduction of VoIP and IPTV and EMEA Regional Expansion
Pfizer Developing a marketing plan for product X, including market assessment, pricing strategy and the launch plan
Artesis Go to market plan for a high tech product / license
Borusan Developing alternative sales channels
Eli Lilly Comparison of pricing & reimbursements environment in Turkey and abroad Glaxo Smith Kline Brand management and marketing research for Fluarix
Glaxo Smith Kline Measuring HR applications and processes
Pinar Strategic marketing decisions for 14 product groups
Between 2000 and 2005, we successfully completed CAPs with several prominent companies, including Alcatel, Arkas Logistics, Bosch Power Tools, Burger King, Cisco Systems, Danonesa, Finansbank, Hedef, IBM Turk, Kale Group, Logo Business Solutions, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Nestlé, Netone, Novartis, Oracle, Pfizer, Sabancı Group, Şülen, Teknosa, Temsa, Toyotasa, Türk-Henkel, and Vestel.
Since the inception of the program, numerous companies have proposed CAPs, including notable names such as Abbott Laboratories, Akbank, and Alcatel E-commerce Other contributors include Anadolu Group, Citibank, Fiat Tofaş, and Galatasaray Sports Club, alongside firms like IBM, Novartis, and Siemens Additionally, companies such as Mavi Jeans, Polisan, and Xerox have also joined the initiative, showcasing a diverse range of industries from logistics to technology and sports.
This is an important expression of the amount of support the FMAN receives from the business community.
3.2.4 Professional Seminar Series, Managerial Skills Workshops and Guest
SU management students benefit from numerous opportunities to engage with practicing managers through guest speaker sessions These speakers illustrate the real-world application of course material, enhancing the learning experience The school actively encourages the inclusion of guest speakers, supported by the FMAN's online centralized database, which helps faculty identify interested business professionals for classroom instruction.
Structured venues have been established to enrich practitioner involvement in our educational initiatives One notable example is the Executive Insights events, which serve as a platform for accomplished executives to share their personal and professional experiences, alongside insights from our students, alumni, and faculty A selection of recent speakers from the Executive Insights Series is highlighted in Table 11 below.
18 Last year we calculated that an engaged student over two years in the MBA program had the potential of meeting close to
200 managers and executives, if they took advantage of all the opportunities they were provided
The full-time MBA Program at SU uniquely emphasizes the development of managerial skills through a combination of courses, workshops, and project work In the first two semesters, students engage in managerial skills workshops that, while not contributing to the credit load, offer 42 hours of interaction with guest speakers and faculty every other week throughout the first year These workshops serve as a valuable platform for industry practitioners to enhance the MBA educational experience.
19 The course is graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and attendance is required (if they miss only more than 3 sessions they have to repeat the course)
Table 12 Selection of Recent Speakers in the Professional Seminars
Management and Team Building Burhan Karaỗam, BK Partners (former CEO Yapı Kredi Bank) Brand Management Mert Başar, Hewlett Packard
Marketing Research Vezire Alp, Ulker
Nestle's Global Success Dr.Hans Ulrich Mayer, General Manager Nestle
Innovation Management Zafer Kurtul, General Manager, Akbank
Financial Risk Management Oktay Laỗiner, VDF (Volkswagen Doğuş Finans)
Leadership and Enterpreneurship Selim Güven, Director Siemens Business Accelerator
6 SIGMA Alpaslan Terekli, BSH (Bosch Siemens Hausgerate)
Table 13 Selection of Managerial Skills Workshops
Sabancı University 07.11.2007 Business Writing Gỹlayşe Koỗak,
Writing Center, Sabancı University 21.11.2007 Stress Management Eser Büyükaydın,
Amak Education and Consulting 12.12.2007 Effective Presentation Techniques Dilek Tokay,
Sabancı University 27.02.2008 Giving and Receiving Performance
Mahmut Bayazıt, FMAN Sabancı University
3.2.5 Leaders for Industry (LFI) Program Projects
Leaders for Industry (LFI) is a prestigious dual degree graduate program that awards a Master of Science in both Engineering and Management, designed to cultivate the technical and managerial skills of highly qualified individuals in collaboration with industry partners Targeting engineering graduates, the program not only provides advanced education but also offers full scholarships funded by industry sponsors, resulting in a highly competitive selection process due to the limited number of available seats.
LFI students must complete a real-world industrial project to graduate, working full-time for six months on a challenge posed by a Program Partner Company These projects hold significant business value, adhering to a fixed schedule, budget, and resources, with clearly defined deliverables Students are treated as full-time employees rather than interns, ensuring a professional experience Each project is overseen by three co-advisers from the Program Partner, FENS, and FMAN, emphasizing the integration of Engineering and Management disciplines For a comprehensive overview, refer to Table 14, which details the LFI projects completed over the last three years.
Table 14 Leaders for Industry (LFI) Program Projects (2005-2008)
Kordsa Developing band labeling and example preparation process
Festo Integrated TRIPOD and Festo Camera
Brisa Test method development for the investigation of die-swell & shrink properties of tread, sidewall & inner liner compounds by Rubber Process Analyzer
Kale Seramik Microwave and laser sintering processes
Kordsa Development of adhesive activated spin finish for PET HMLS yarn
20 07 -2 00 8 Borusan Holding Adaptation of the ITIL (Information Technology Information Library)
TOFAS Establishing performance measurement of the spare part warehouse
Beksa Recycling the waste water from evaporator into process in Beksa Plant
Kale Seramik Microwave and laser sintering processes
Kordsa Development of adhesive activated spin finish
Borusan Boru Energy rarefy of the pipe heat and band heat ovens
Brisa Automatic raw rubber material loading system for truck – bus tyre production
Kordsa Automation of relaxation-retraction of the synthetic fiber and fabric under normal conditions
20 06 -2 00 7 Alcatel Opportunity identification and market analysis for Turkey's public, defense and security telecommunications Beksa Automation of lub pit station by scada
Brisa Investigating the effect of carbon black type and amount on Natural Rubber
(NR) and Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) used in tire manufacturing by Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA 2000)
IBM Services management modeling and controlling
Kale Seramik Antibacterial/ self-cleaning additives for ceramics and glasses
20 05 -2 00 6 Alcatel Investigation of Turkish public sector based security and defense market intelligence Beksa Automated diameter measurement in dry drawing machines
Brisa Characterization of raw polymers in tire industry by RPA
Festo is exploring the structure and kinematics of its innovative Tripod system while also installing a demonstration unit in Turkey Meanwhile, Kale Kalip is developing an automated leakage detection machine specifically designed for natural gas meters Additionally, Kale Seramik is working on a reactive polymer glue tailored for reinforced multilayer sinterflex applications.
Kordsa Factors affecting mechanical quality of Nylon 66 yarns and improving the mechanical quality measurement systems at Kordsa yarn spinning processes
Kordsa Tension control of the threads coming to the weaving machine via open or closed loop control Logo Business Solutions Revision of production management module of Logo ERP
TOFAS Vendor managed inventory at Tofas spare parts supply chain: Main dealers stage
In addition, LFI projects were carried out in the following companies between 2002 and 2005: Alcatel, Beksa, Borusan Telecom, Brisa, Kordsa, Logo Business Solutions, FIAT-TOFAŞ, Borusan Holding, Festo, and Siemens.
3.2.6 Information Technologies in Management (ITM) Program Projects
The Information Technologies in Management (ITM) graduate program, which awards a Master of Science degree, was established in the Fall 2005 semester It stands out as one of the few programs in Turkey that integrates the fields of information technologies and management.
The ITM Program, aligned with FMAN strategies, aims to equip future professionals with cutting-edge knowledge in both IT and management Its curriculum is tailored to meet the evolving demands of the IT business community, incorporating insights from industry leaders such as Oracle Turkey, Turkcell Telecom, and Ernst & Young Many courses are developed based on feedback from experienced IT professionals and academics, with some taught by part-time lecturers actively working in the industry Additionally, the program features invited talks and seminars where successful business leaders share their career experiences, enhancing students' professional development.
To graduate, students must not only complete their coursework but also undertake a term project and submit a report, which is assessed by an advisor appointed by the ITM coordinators A comprehensive list of successfully completed projects since the program began is shown in Table 15.
Table 15 Information Technologies in Management (ITM) Program Projects
Governance Model for Service Delivery in IBM Turkey
Analysis of Risk Dynamics in Service Delivery
IT-Integrated Stock Relocation Optimization for Teknosa
IT-Based Credit Risk Management
Measuring the Impact of Using UML in Profitability and Performance
Developing an Estimation Model for Software Development Projects
Integrating Telecommunication and IT Service Management Processes for Turkish
BI-Consolidation of Databases – Data Warehousing
How to Calculate Total Cost of Ownership of an ERP Project
Sabancı University – A GIS Application: Campus
Database Management System for Olive Oil Factories
2006-2007 A Conceptual Model for Assessing Managerial Implications of Changes in IT
A Data Mining Implementation on a restructured Data Warehouse System for Energy
Creation of Well Structured Customer Database for TEKNOSA: Operational CRM
Performance Management in Human Resources
Impact of IT Governance on Textile Industry
How IT Superiority Effects to the ICM in Travel Industry and How to become superior in IT of its Travel Services
INGUR: A Web-Based CRM Application For Food & Beverage Services Sector
Analysis and Design of a Software on Simulation Aided Optimization for IT Project
Information Technology and Business Awareness Diagnostic Tool
Executive Education and Consulting Activities
Our mission statement at SU emphasizes three key goals: scholarship, student development, and addressing the needs of business and society At the FMAN, we view research, teaching, and community outreach as interconnected SU aims to avoid being an "ivory tower," fostering active engagement with the business community through initiatives like consulting projects via ALP, our executive education unit (EDU), the Corporate Governance Forum of Turkey, the Entrepreneur Development Program, and the Competitiveness Forum.
The Executive Development Unit (EDU) at Sabancı University serves as a vital link between the university and the business sector, specializing in executive training Functioning as an independent entity, EDU has established itself by comparing its offerings to those of top universities in the US and Europe, ensuring high-quality programs and comprehensive infrastructural support Facilities include a 50-bed executive hotel, well-equipped conference halls, and training rooms, enhancing the overall training experience.
EDU collaborates with top universities and executive education centers to enhance its offerings One notable program is MYGLOBE, created in partnership with INSEAD, designed for senior business executives from companies entering emerging markets or aiming for global operations The program features two modules, with the first conducted at SU and the second at INSEAD.
The EDU Retailing Program is dedicated to advancing the retail industry in Turkey by providing training programs and consultancy services aimed at enhancing business practices and workforce development To ensure access to top-tier retail management systems and methodologies, the program has formed a strategic partnership with Retail Performance Specialists (RPS) from the UK, a renowned leader in retail training and consulting This collaboration is designed to equip companies with the tools and knowledge necessary for success in the competitive retail landscape.
Ratrey+Magnes, based in the US, specializes in strategic retail structure concept and design services Their partnership with EDU has led to highly sought-after strategic design services that are well-received by Turkish retailers.
EDU provides a range of training programs tailored for various audiences, from CEOs and General Managers to middle management and Management Trainees Collaborating with SU FMAN faculty, national and international academics, and industry experts, EDU offers 1-2 day open enrollment and in-house trainings, as well as modular programs and public seminars focused on specific themes The organization's mission is to merge academic knowledge with practical business insights, delivering significant value to its participants EDU's success has resulted in securing long-term contracts, ranging from 2 to 5 years, to establish and manage corporate academies for prominent Turkish business groups, including Borusan.
The FMAN members are essential to the SU's executive education programs under EDU, with 34% of courses taught by FMAN faculty and 43% of full-time faculty involved EDU teaching is an additional responsibility, compensated separately from regular teaching loads While degree programs are in English, many EDU offerings are in Turkish, enhancing accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) A notable initiative is Turquality, funded by the Turkish government, aimed at boosting the global competitiveness of Turkish brands This includes a 7-month intensive executive training program designed to enhance the human capital of participating companies, with significant contributions from our faculty in both design and instruction.
EDU is acknowledged as a premier university-based executive training provider in Turkey, catering to both local and multinational companies Each year, over 2,000 managers participate in EDU's training programs, which collectively offer nearly 500 training days, amounting to a total of 10,000 man days.
As the Turkish industry evolves and becomes more globalized, it encounters significant challenges that prompt companies to seek guidance from our faculty members We actively promote this collaboration with the business community to fulfill our mission of enhancing practical knowledge Additionally, our faculty members benefit from this engagement by incorporating real-world Turkish examples into their teaching, thereby enriching the relevance of the coursework.
FMAN faculty members actively engage in various industry projects, including industry analysis, company assessments, demand forecasting, and econometric modeling for renowned companies like BMC, Citibank, Danone, Deloitte & Touche, Mavi Jeans, Procter & Gamble, IBM, the Sabancı Group, Sütaş, Sevilen Wine, and the Ministry of Industry Their expertise extends to advising on Strategy, Marketing, Operations Management, and Human Resources, providing valuable insights that enhance student learning and research guidance Additionally, these collaborative efforts often foster further partnerships between academia and industry, exemplified by initiatives like the Sabancı Group Chair.
Marketing Excellence at FMAN, which we are currently actively recruiting for
The Research and Graduate Policy Directorate (ALP) plays a crucial role in managing faculty contracts with third parties, allowing professors to focus on their work rather than bureaucratic tasks By handling billing and related issues, ALP ensures transparency in these relationships and allocates a portion of consulting fees to the university Additionally, the CEMS network offers consulting opportunities, addressing the high demand for support within Turkey's dynamic industrial sector, which our relatively small and young institution is unable to fully meet.
Outreach Programs and Research Forums
The TĩSİAD-SU Competitiveness Forum is a research center formed jointly by the Turkish
Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TĩSİAD) and SU Its mission is to help improve the
Due to the junior status of our faculty members, their primary focus remains on research and teaching, which often leads to the necessity of declining potential consulting projects To enhance the competitiveness of the Turkish private sector in international markets, we prioritize conducting and supporting research in areas such as competitiveness, innovation, technology management, and benchmarking studies.
The presence of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) at Sabancı University, led by Dr Çetindamar from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, enhances our faculty's engagement with the business community This connection opens up valuable opportunities for research collaborations, guest speaker arrangements, and the development of essential partnerships with various companies For more information about REF, please visit http://www.ref.sabanciuniv.edu/.
3.4.2 Corporate Governance Forum of Turkey (CGFT)
The FMAN members play a pivotal role in the Corporate Governance Forum of Turkey (CGFT), which aims to enhance corporate governance practices and frameworks in Turkey through a blend of research and practical application Led by Dr Melsa Ararat, the CGFT involves 3-5 FMAN faculty members and boasts impressive activities for its size, significantly contributing to the understanding and implementation of corporate governance—an essential factor for Turkey's economic growth Additionally, the CGFT actively engages with international corporate governance networks, linking FMAN and Sabancı University with prominent research and policy institutions, including The European Corporate Governance Network and the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation.
Turkey faces a pressing need for new ventures and job creation due to its young population and high unemployment rates To address this challenge, we launched a summer institute for entrepreneurs, known as GGP, in 2003 Under the guidance of Dr Dilek Çetindamar from FMAN and supported by our faculty, the program offers various courses at no cost to participants, thanks to generous sponsorships Notably, KAGIDER, the Women’s Entrepreneur Foundation, has been one of our key sponsors.
KAGIDER has endorsed the GGP initiative, ensuring that a minimum of 30% of participant seats are reserved for women Over the past three years, the program has attracted more than 900 applicants for just 90 available positions, successfully achieving a 30% female participation rate and reinforcing our commitment to diversity.
In 2009, GGP programs in four different cities are being planned under the sponsorship of AKBANK.
Fundraising
The university is strategically expanding its funding sources beyond traditional avenues such as tuition, company projects, research grants, and the Sabancı Foundation This initiative encompasses various fundraising activities typical of universities, including alumni donations and community outreach Notably, the university fully owns Inovent, a technology commercialization company that focuses on the development and management of intellectual properties created by universities, research institutions, technology firms, and entrepreneurs in Turkey (http://www.inovent.com.tr/).
Recently, FMAN has initiated two major external fundraising efforts: the Hedef Alliance Scholarship, which supports an international student in pursuing our MBA program, and funding for the Center for Applied Finance Education (CAFE).
The most comprehensive scholarship available at the MBA program is Hedef Alliance Regional
Hedef Alliance, Turkey's largest pharmaceutical distributor, has been offering a scholarship for one international student to join their MBA program since the 2008-2009 academic year Eligible candidates must be citizens of Bulgaria, Egypt, Romania, Russia, or Ukraine, as these countries align with Hedef Alliance's international expansion strategy The scholarship aims to integrate these students into Turkish culture through the Sabancı MBA program and provide them with practical experience via internships at Hedef Alliance, ultimately enhancing their managerial effectiveness in the company's global operations.
The scholarship offers comprehensive financial support, including a full tuition and fee waiver, a monthly stipend, and dormitory accommodation for ten months in a double room Additionally, it provides textbook and travel assistance each year Recipients are required to complete a summer internship at Hedef Alliance, followed by a two-year employment commitment with the organization The total annual funding from Hedef Alliance amounts to TL 36,550.00, which is approximately €20,000.00 per student.
3.5.2 CAFE (Center for Applied Finance Education)
CAFE, a state-of-the-art facility, the only one of its kind in Eastern Europe and Middle East (except one in Israel), is
• A simulated trading room with state-of-the-art financial software and real-time data-feed services, utilizing a powerful hardware infrastructure,
• A laboratory providing a sophisticated learning environment in finance and other related areas,
• A smart classroom allowing hands-on finance education.
CAFE features 24 workstations in its classroom and an additional 3 in the nearby business suite, each equipped with dual LCD displays These workstations are connected to a global data feed and offer access to essential software tools Students can utilize industry-standard terminals, including Reuters, Bloomberg, Matriks, and E-Signal FutureSource, enhancing their learning experience.
Here are some examples of what students can do at CAFE,
• Follow real trading activity guided by an expert via video-conferencing
• Trade with classmates, or enter world-wide trading competitions using FTS, a financial trading simulation software
• With FinCAD XL, a software used by over 25 thousand finance professionals, create new derivative products and determine their prices
• Research companies using comprehensive data from all over the world.
Sabancı Group contributed around 60% of the $450,000 USD required to establish the facility and has committed to donating $100,000 USD annually for the next five years to cover operating expenses, primarily for software licensing, data feed services, and database subscriptions.
21 Hedef Alliance is a strategic partnership of Turkey’s Hedef Group and Alliance UniChem Plc, a Fortune Global
Hedef Alliance is the leading company in Turkey's market, holding a significant 41% market share In the pharmaceutical distribution sector, Alliance UniChem stands out as the second largest in Europe and the sixth largest globally.
Alumni Employment
Our alumni have secured positions at prominent companies in Turkey, including several major multinational corporations (MNCs) A comprehensive list of these MNCs that have employed our graduates is presented in Table 16 below, organized in alphabetical order.
Table 16 MNCs Recruiting FMAN Students
Abbott Laboratories Ernst&Young Microsoft
ACNielsen Focus Reports Millward Brown
Adidas Ford Otosan Mứller Mổrsk
Chase Manhattan Bank Hankook Osram Lighting
Coca Cola Company HSBC PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Daimler Chrysler Services Komatsu Rehau AG
Deloitte Touche Levi Strauss Synovate
DHL Lilly Pharmaceuticals Templeton Asset Management
Dow Chemical Mercedes Benz Turk TNT Logistics
DuPont Merck Sharp Dohme Toyota
Efes Pilsen Beverage Merloni Elettrodomestici Tuborg-Carlsberg
The analysis of our alumni's employment reveals seven key sectors that dominate their career paths: financial services, consumer products, automotive, technology, manufacturing, consulting, and pharmaceuticals The distribution of these sectors is detailed in Table 17, highlighting their prevalence across various programs.
Table 17: Top 5 Employer Sectors of Our Alumni (% of Alumni of Each Program)
BA MBA EMBA LFI ITM
Career Services
FMAN students enjoy valuable career services through two dedicated units at the university The Career Office offers support to all students, while FMAN's specialized unit focuses on providing personalized, one-on-one assistance tailored specifically for FMAN graduate students.
The Career Office, part of the Institutional Development Unit at Sabancı University, oversees university-wide career services, offering essential support to students pursuing employment, internships, or graduate school applications This office facilitates recruitment events, allowing companies to present on campus and engage directly with prospective candidates Key activities of the Career Services unit include providing job search assistance, organizing networking opportunities, and enhancing students' career readiness.
1 Personal development seminars and academic career activities focusing on: a) Basic information regarding applying for universities abroad b) Writing a resume and application letter c) Bringing out the inherent skills of the students, informing them on conceptual, technical and personal skills d) Sharing “experience” with students who are planning to enroll in graduate programs or pursue academic careers in or outside Turkey. e) Interviewing skills f) Preparing for the TOEFL and GRE/GMAT exams.
2 Company/Sector Presentations a) General presentation about the companies and the sectors they operate in b) Presentation on recruitment and internship procedures of various companies c) Presentation of countries and their Higher Education System (e.g., inviting Corps
Diplomatic staff, such as cultural attaches responsible for education, play a crucial role in providing information about various educational and scholarship opportunities, including programs like Fulbright-USA and the British Council Additionally, they facilitate lectures by prominent figures in business and the arts, enriching students' learning experiences and fostering valuable connections.
3 Career Express Exhibition: Career Express Exhibition is organized to bring together companies and exhibit a good example of the collaboration between the university and the business world The Exhibition helps the students to acquire information on various sectors as well as the operation of the non-profit sector.
The FMAN Career Services Unit, alongside the Career Office, offers essential professional guidance to MBA, LFI, MiF, and ITM students This unit encourages students to explore career options, set goals, and take actionable steps through workshops, individual guidance, interview simulation exercises, and training sessions focused on job search strategies Additionally, the unit hosts panels featuring visiting executives from diverse industries Collaborating with UNIDA, an HR consulting firm with extensive strategic HR experience, the Career Development Unit provides a comprehensive range of career activities, as outlined in Table 18.
Each semester, SU organizes numerous company presentations across various industries, featuring both small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large multinational corporations Additionally, every spring, the FMAN publishes and distributes a CV Catalogue showcasing all MBA students to over 300 prominent employers in Turkey.
Table 18 FMAN Career Services Sector Panels and Workshops
10.10.2007 Workshop: Case Analysis Ozgecan Kocak,
FMAN Sabancı University 17.10.2007 Workshop: CV Preparation
UNIDA 24.10.2007 Workshop: One to one Coaching-I UNIDA
31.10.2007 Panel: Media Sector Başak Tecer, Sabah, Güngor Uras, Milliyet,
Volkan Günak, Skyturk 07.11.2007 Workshop: One-to-one Coaching-II UNIDA
21.11.2007 Workshop: One to one Coaching-III UNIDA
28.11.2007 Panel: FMCG sector ầiğdem Yıldız, Unilever, Levent Kửmỹr,
Serra Ulusoy, PG 05.12.2007 Panel: Finance Sector ệzgỹr Kutay, Citibank, ệzlem Gỹndoğdu,
Albert Krespin, Deutsche Securities, Murat Bayburtluoğlu, Hakan Alp, Finansbank
20.02.2008 Careers in Marketing Elif Elkin & Ferhan ầıragửz, Deva Pharma,
Nesrin Taslak, Altek Elektronik, ệzge Turut, Sabancı University 05.03.2008 Automotive Sector Moris Bayar, Arkas Otomotiv,
Kerem Coşkun, Borusan, Seda Ertuna, Otomotiv, Alper Tokalp,Temsa, Cihangir ệnal, Toyotasa
INTERNATIONAL POLICY & RELATIONS WITH CEMS SCHOOLS
Partner Business Schools
The university has established 137 cooperation agreements with institutions across 25 countries, including 123 partnerships under the Socrates-Erasmus framework and 14 broader cooperation protocols A detailed list of partner business schools and the specifics of each partnership is available in Table 19, with partnerships involving CEMS schools highlighted in bold.
As the newest addition to the Turkish business school landscape, we have noted that leading international institutions seeking to establish partnerships in this region already collaborate with local Turkish schools Additionally, numerous schools have been reaching out to explore potential alliances.
Many students experience "exchange fatigue" due to numerous inactive exchange relationships and a reluctance to pursue new ones This challenge is largely attributed to the structure of our MBA program, which centers around Company Action Projects (CAP), making exchanges outside the summer term nearly impossible To address this, we strategically leveraged the Erasmus program to expand our network of partner schools, ensuring that every student interested in an exchange would have the opportunity to participate We are confident that by enhancing our reputation, we will create more opportunities to strengthen our exchange network.
Table 19 List of International Business School Partners*
* We can also note that on October 14th, 2008 we had a visit by Ms Saila Kurtbay from the Helsinki School of
Economics and signed an exchange agreement for staff and student mobility.
In recent years, we have solidified our presence and begun offering study tours for students, including Executive MBA participants, from various universities.
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
These study tours feature company visits, engaging discussions with industry representatives, and lectures that explore the Turkish cultural, political, and managerial landscape Participants also enjoy social activities, including visits to significant cultural and historical sites Many of the lectures are delivered by our esteemed faculty members.
• The socio-political and socio-cultural context of Turkey
• Recent political events in Turkey
• Turkey’s EU Entry: Political, economic and social perspectives
• Cross-cultural management with an emphasis on the Turkish cultural context
Our study tours are integral to our internationalization strategy, positioning us as a premier destination for companies and universities seeking insights into management practices in Turkey and the broader region The lectures mentioned serve as foundational elements for courses that will be incorporated into our CEMS MIM program.
Institutional Memberships
FMAN also takes pride in its membership in the following institutions of which we are full and very active members:
• CEEMAN-Central and East European Management Development Association We joined
In 2006, CEEMAN aimed to strengthen connections with business schools in neighboring countries and was invited to host their next annual meeting We agreed to this opportunity and successfully organized the meeting in 2007 For more details, visit http://www.ceeman.org/?nSel=events&nSub=annconf&eID.
• UN Global Compact Not only were we the first member in Turkey, we hosted, together with the
Wharton School of Business, the first international conference of the UNGC See http://www.unglobalcompact.org/ParticipantsAndStakeholders/search_participant.html? detail=Sabancı+University
Our institution is committed to the Principles for Responsible Management Education, having participated in this initiative since its inception, thanks to the involvement of one of our faculty members in the initial working committee We are dedicated to integrating these principles across our programs, promoting responsible management education For more information, visit http://www.unprme.org/.
Our university maintains memberships with numerous international institutions, showcasing our global engagement A comprehensive list of these affiliations can be found at http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/eng/?genel/uyeler/uyeler.php Among these, several prominent associations stand out from a European perspective.
• Council for Advancement and Support for Education (CASE)
• European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM)
• European Association of International Education (EAIE)
International Faculty at FMAN
All full-time faculty members at FMAN possess PhD degrees, with 90% of those degrees obtained from international institutions Since our establishment in 1999, we have also engaged 24 part-time, 7 visiting, and 25 network faculty members, of whom 56% of the part-time faculty and all visiting and network faculty hold PhDs from abroad.
Table 20 indicates that there are currently two full-time faculty members of non-Turkish origin, alongside three visiting faculty and thirteen network faculty members, all of whom are affiliated with international universities.
Table 20 Nationality and Education of FMAN Faculty
International Students
SU aims to become a global university attracting international students, but has primarily focused on recruiting Turkish students to strengthen its reputation domestically This initial focus aligns with its long-term vision, as the university has been establishing its organizational processes and academic policies to cater to foreign students With this foundation in place, SU and FMAN are now planning to enhance their outreach to international students, including participation in international higher education fairs and tours in the near future.
Each year, SU successfully attracts a small number of international students to its undergraduate programs, with a current enrollment of 15 full-time students from various countries, including Azerbaijan, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, and the United States.
In the past, our MBA and Executive MBA programs occasionally had foreign students as well
• MBA Class of 2007 had one Chinese and one Azerbaijani student,
• EMBA Class of 2001 had one Japanese student
• EMBA Class of 2005 had two Ukrainian students
This year, the introduction of the Hedef Alliance Regional Scholarship has successfully attracted foreign students to our MBA program For the first time, the MBA Class of 2010 includes three international students—one from Germany, one from Russia, and one from Ukraine—making up approximately 11% of the class.
Currently, we have no international students in our PhD program However, the first of our four PhD graduates is of Tunisian nationality.
22 As students declare their major in their second year, and also can change their major later on we report the total number of international undergraduate students.
International Student Exchange
Founded in the 2003-2004 academic year, the International Office/European Office (IO/EO) plays a vital role in coordinating mobility programs that align with SU's strategic objective of becoming a global university.
1 Preparation and implementing exchange agreements: These efforts have resulted in 137 agreements from 25 countries at the university level (Annex 8 provides the proportion of all incoming and outgoing students for the BA program in Management, MA for Economics, European Studies and MBA) In the framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP); SU has applied for and was granted an Extended Erasmus University Charter The Charter entitles SU to participate in several forms of LLP programs such as mobility, multilateral projects and networks
2 Supporting and implementing education programs: The office coordinates education mobility projects (Erasmus, Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc.) including application, implementation, monitoring and reporting It also explores funding opportunities for funding and potential projects and supports faculty when submitting project proposals
3 Taking care of the needs and requirements of incoming and outgoing students: IO/EO commits itself to the preparation of both outgoing and incoming students in order to ensure that they make the most out of the exchange experience
Before departing, outgoing students participate in an informative session focused on cross-cultural interaction They are required to submit reports assessing their study experience and the services offered by both their host and home universities These evaluations serve as a benchmark for measuring the performance of EU/IO student services and provide valuable insights for future exchange students.
The International Office/External Office has developed an International Students Guide and Course Catalogue to assist incoming students and faculty with essential information about Turkey, Istanbul, and SU Incoming students benefit from dedicated support and priority in course selection, accommodation, and various practical matters, ensuring a smooth transition Additionally, all incoming students are guaranteed on-campus accommodation.
Each semester, incoming students participate in an orientation program that includes a city tour and are paired with a local peer mentor, typically a former exchange student, to help them acclimate to campus life and the city Students also have the option to request a host family from the university community, where volunteers engage in various activities such as dinners, sports, and cultural events This program fosters connections between students and Turkish families, promoting cultural exchange and aiding foreign students in adapting to local customs and lifestyle Applications for this opportunity can be submitted upon arrival at SU.
International Internships
SU leads in sponsorship per student through the EC Erasmus Placement Program, with top internship destinations for students including the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Austria, and the UK Additionally, SU has established bilateral internship agreements with Toshiba Corporation and Marubeni Corp in Japan.
Figure 4 Students who had an international internship (number and percent sponsored by Erasmus)
A selection of companies where our students had interships is as follows: Bekaert, Belgium; IBM Deutschland GmbH, Germany; Marubeni, Japan; Nokia Siemens Networks-Germany; Robert Bosch GmbH, Germany; Toshiba, Japan.
Support for Learning of Foreign Languages
At Sabancı University (SU), English is the medium of instruction, and all undergraduate students must pass the SU English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE) to commence their studies Those who do not achieve the required English proficiency will enroll in the School of Languages (SL), which equips them with essential language skills and knowledge to succeed in their interdisciplinary academic pursuits The SL focuses on enhancing students' language awareness in English, Turkish, and a second foreign language while fostering critical and creative thinking through high-quality instruction and independent study Additionally, the SL plays a vital role in advancing language teaching and teacher education in Turkey.
The School of Languages provides second foreign language courses for SU students in German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Turkish, available at Basic, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper-intermediate levels Each course spans 14 weeks with 3 hours of instruction per week All language courses, including English, are designed with exit level descriptors aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) and specific syllabus objectives.
Table 21 Number of Students Taking European Language Courses (2007-2008)
Level FRE GER ITA SPA Total
VISION FOR CEMS MEMBERSHIP AND PLANS FOR PRE-EXPERIENCE MASTER’S IN MANAGEMENT
Our Strategic Approach to Graduate Management Education
SU's innovative approach to education in Turkey marks a significant shift, yet it is essential to recognize the existing dynamics of the Turkish higher education system and the unique aspects of management education in the region.
In Turkey, the tradition of free higher education exists similarly to many European countries; however, Turkish public universities face significant underfunding compared to their Western European counterparts This lack of financial support adversely affects not only the physical infrastructure of these institutions but also critically undermines the quality of their faculty.
• Given the demographics of Turkey, a country where 31.2 % of the population is under the age of
The demand for undergraduate management education remains strong, with approximately 1.6 million students taking the national entrance exam annually However, a significant challenge persists, as nearly one million students are unable to secure a spot in universities each year, highlighting a substantial gap between the desire for higher education and the availability of seats.
The MBA degree remains a novel concept in Turkish higher education, often failing to yield a salary premium or guarantee a managerial position This is largely due to the informal culture of Turkish organizations, which prioritize practical knowledge of the company and industry over formal management skills Consequently, full-time post-experience MBA programs struggle to present a compelling value proposition for prospective students.
Consequently, any full time graduate program has to be pre-experience to attract a reasonable number of students,
Surveys reveal that prospective students value the MBA 'label' significantly, regardless of how employers perceive it In response to this demand, numerous universities have launched MBA programs, primarily evening courses tailored for working professionals However, these programs often fall short of being truly post-experience, as they also admit pre-experience students for various reasons, with the most notable being the deferment of military service.
From the outset, our objective has been to establish a 'Sabancı MBA' with a unique quality We view a pre-experience MBA diploma as a necessary compromise, as it can diminish the perceived value of the Sabancı MBA Initially, our full-time pre-experience program was named MBM (Master of Business Management) due to our hesitance to label it an MBA However, just months before its launch, we decided to rebrand it as an MBA, driven by university administrators' concerns about effectively marketing a new degree program at a new institution.
Over the past nine years, we have dedicated ourselves to developing the premier MBA program in Istanbul, specifically designed to address the unique needs of pre-experience students A key element of our curriculum is the Company Action Projects (CAP), which allows students to engage in real-world projects for two days a week over a period of 6-7 months, providing them with invaluable insights into professional environments Additionally, our program includes mandatory managerial skills workshops, career panels, summer internships or exchanges, and visits from nearly 200 industry managers, all aimed at bridging the experience gap for our young students.
Sabanci University has established itself as the premier institution for MBA education in Turkey, offering the only full-time two-year MBA program that requires tuition Despite Koç University's decision in 2008 to shorten their MBA program to just 10 months and charge 50% less in tuition, Sabanci's student intake for the 2008-2009 academic year remained steady at 26, consistent with previous years.
Figure 5 Intake Numbers for 2-Year Full-Time MBA Programs
We recognize the need to evolve our MBA program beyond a pre-experience model, aligning it with European standards By rebranding the MBA in Turkey as a post-experience program, we aim to enhance its value As the leading provider in the full-time MBA market, we are uniquely positioned to spearhead this transformative initiative.
Our enthusiasm for CEMS stems from the potential to enhance our academic offerings by replacing the traditional MBA label with a prestigious Master's diploma, which aligns with our goals While we take pride in our MBA program, we believe that joining the CEMS network will deliver greater value to our students and faculty, as will be discussed in the following section.
Transitioning away from the MBA program requires a careful, gradual approach, as the perceived quality of our MBA and the commitment of our alumni are vital to our brand strength It is essential to consider the implications for our alumni and stakeholders, ensuring that any changes are made thoughtfully.
Role of CEMS at FMAN – Expectations and Contributions
CEMS membership presents a valuable opportunity for us to advance our strategic objective of becoming a leading international management school in our region Like many business schools in Turkey, we have been significantly shaped by the US higher education system We believe that joining CEMS will facilitate our integration into the European management education landscape, enhancing both our teaching methodologies and our participation in research networks.
CEMS membership offers a valuable opportunity to align our graduate programs with European and global standards We are in the process of transforming our MBA into a post-experience degree, while rebranding our pre-experience general management master’s program as a Master of Science (MS).
In Turkey, the MBA title is commonly associated with pre-experience general management degrees, which presents an opportunity for us to actively promote the MS in Management degree alongside the CEMS brand By enhancing our promotional efforts, we aim to raise awareness of both the CEMS-MIM program and the MS in Management degree, which are currently underrecognized in the region We are confident that our established reputation, not only among prospective students but also within the corporate sector, will significantly boost CEMS brand recognition in Turkey in a swift and favorable manner.
We have strategically invested in our brand through high-quality brochures, participation in MBA fairs, an informative website, and corporate advisory boards This experience and expertise in brand-building within the Turkish context will enable us to contribute effectively to the CEMS brand.
As we promote the CEMS brand in Turkey, we anticipate that our partnership with CEMS will enhance our ability to market our programs on an international scale Being a young institution, we prioritized the development of our academic and administrative processes with the goal of internationalization before embarking on extensive marketing efforts Having achieved significant milestones in this area, we are now poised to ramp up our international marketing activities for our MBA program, which we plan to rebrand as the MS in Management program for the 2009-2010 academic year Our CEMS membership will significantly boost these internationalization initiatives.
CEMS presents a valuable opportunity for Turkish firms seeking international expansion, particularly for companies like Hedef-Alliance, which offers a full scholarship to a foreign MBA student to cultivate managerial talent for global operations Our CEMS membership aligns perfectly with these firms' interests in recruiting CEMS graduates from our institution and partner schools Additionally, we envision our role as a bridge between CEMS partner schools and Turkish companies, facilitating the development of case studies and conducting field or case-based research.
We have strategically positioned ourselves as a "full-service" management school, offering a comprehensive range of programs from undergraduate degrees to executive education Our membership in CEMS is intended to foster alliances and collaborations with partner universities across all these programs We are particularly focused on enhancing our PhD program through joint curriculum development and research partnerships with CEMS institutions Despite our PhD program's current success, it remains relatively young and small By collaborating with CEMS partners, we aim to increase the number of PhDs with international mobility, which will also assist in recruiting junior faculty members from our program.
The establishment of business schools in Turkey has intriguing historical roots, notably supported by the Ford Foundation Additionally, the influence of Robert College, an American institution, played a significant role as a precursor to Boğaziçi University.
Turkey's growing demand for executive education has led our Executive Development Unit (EDU) to establish a strong reputation for quality programs However, to effectively meet this demand, we need to expand our network of instructors by including professors from CEMS partner schools to teach short courses in Istanbul Additionally, as Turkey continues to develop, we are receiving interest from entrepreneurial and non-governmental organizations for collaborative projects and curriculum development Given our limited capacity to handle these initiatives alone, we see great potential in partnering with CEMS universities Therefore, we propose hosting a workshop with CEMS partner universities to explore collaborative opportunities in these areas.
Our school offers an appealing option for students from CEMS partner universities seeking block seminars and semester(s) abroad in the CEMS-MIM program With state-of-the-art campus facilities that support both academic and social activities, our curriculum enhances our attractiveness As the first management school in Turkey to introduce a course on Turkish Business Context, we also provide a Global Business Context course and managerial skill workshops led by both academics and industry professionals Our faculty, experienced in cross-cultural management and international business, along with our strong connections to leading local and multinational companies, enable us to host over 200 business professionals annually for seminars, workshops, and guest lectures, ensuring a rich learning experience for incoming students.
Our membership in CEMS is significantly enhanced by the exceptional qualities of our undergraduate student body and the innovative design of our curricula Our students consistently rank among the top scorers in Turkey's central university entrance examination (YKS), reflecting their academic excellence Unique to Turkey, our undergraduate programs allow for delayed specialization, enabling students to select their majors by the end of their second year while offering considerable flexibility in course selection This approach fosters a well-rounded education and encourages students to pursue their passions, with approximately 30% opting for postgraduate studies The MS in Management program outlined below is tailored to leverage these strengths effectively.
Introduction of CEMS-MIM in our Program Portfolio
The MS in Management program with the CEMS-MIM option is outlined in Figure 6, highlighting its core concepts and positioning Additionally, the figure includes an estimated number of students, distinguishing those from the undergraduate program at SU and other universities.
Twenty-four Turkish undergraduates secure their university placements based on their scores from the nationwide YKS exam, which typically restricts transfers between departments However, at SU, students enjoy complete freedom in selecting their program of study, making it the only university in Turkey to offer such flexibility.
Functional specialization w/ CAP CEMS MIM CEMS MIM
UGD w/ Basic Mgmt UGD w/ Basic Mgmt UGD w/o Basic Mgmt UGD w/o Basic Mgmt
MS Year 1 Basic Mgmt Courses
MS Year 1 Basic Mgmt Courses
Figure 6 Positioning the CEMS-MIM in our Program Portfolio
5.2.1 Positioning in the Program Portfolio
We are going to have a pre-experience MS in Management program with two tracks:
1 CEMS Track: CEMS – MIM track.
2 CAP Track: Functional Specialization with CAP (Company Action Projects) 25
Depending on whether a student had the basic (core) undergraduate management and economics courses, MS in Management program will either be a two year program (4 + 2 model) or a one year program (4 + 1 model):
The first year of the two-year program, known as the M1 year, will cover essential management topics similar to those offered in our current MBA program.
The M2 year, which is the second year of the 4 + 2 program or the first year of the 4 + 1 program, serves as the specialization year During this crucial year, students will distinguish between the CEMS track and the CAP track, allowing for a tailored educational experience.
To qualify for the one-year program, students must complete a total of 10 core undergraduate courses, which include seven management core courses and two economics courses—microeconomics and macroeconomics—along with a statistics course The seven management core courses consist of financial accounting, managerial accounting, operations management, information systems, financial management, marketing, and organizational behavior.
Economics students at SU can efficiently meet the requirement of 10 courses, as three of these are already part of their mandatory curriculum Additionally, the flexible structure of the Economics program enables students to easily select the remaining seven courses needed to fulfill this requirement.
SU Engineering students have the opportunity to complete 13 free electives, allowing for a flexible academic experience Motivated students can take up to six courses per semester and may even enroll in seven courses during their final year with special permission Additionally, the Engineering curriculum mandates that students complete four non-engineering electives, which can be focused entirely on management.
The CAP program is a fundamental component of our MBA curriculum, where student teams engage in a 6-7 month project with a prominent company in Istanbul, guided by both an academic and a company advisor This initiative incorporates formal methods to enhance reflective practice and action learning, fostering students' management skills Additionally, since statistics is a mandatory course, Engineering students can efficiently manage their coursework by taking up to three summer school classes, enabling them to fulfill the six additional courses needed for their degree.
Of course, Management and Economics students from other universities could also qualify for the one- year program.
Students must achieve specific minimum performance standards in these courses to qualify for the one-year program.
• No grade below C (2.0/4.0) in any of the 10 courses required.
• A certain minimum grade point average in these 10 courses, such as 3.0/4.0.
Achieving high scores in ALES, the Turkish equivalent of GRE/GMAT, and TOEFL significantly enhances a student's likelihood of excelling in the GMAT Given the high cost of the GMAT, not requiring this exam could broaden the applicant pool, making it more accessible for students.
It is quite clear why the 4+1 option would be quite attractive for Economics and Engineering students
We propose an appealing "honors" program for top SU BA in Management students, aiming to create a beneficial synergy between the undergraduate Management program and the MS in Management.
Management programs offer appealing tracks for students, with the CEMS track being particularly attractive However, for those who cannot or choose not to participate in CEMS, the CAP track presents a highly appealing alternative The CAP track has gained significant success within our MBA program and has established itself as a reputable brand, effectively assisting students in securing excellent job opportunities swiftly and making informed decisions regarding their first job, including industry, company, and position choices.
The admission deadline for the 4+1 track is set for early January, at the end of the first semester Additionally, students studying abroad during the first semester of their fourth year may receive an early conditional acceptance by the end of their third year This approach aims to streamline the application process and accommodate students' academic journeys.
In the final semester of their undergraduate program, students should strategically select electives that align with their future goals; some may choose to focus on language courses, while others might avoid subjects they plan to pursue in their Master's program This thoughtful approach ensures that students maximize their educational experience and prepare effectively for their next academic steps.
• To arrange a “concentrated” mini-term (or pre-term) session upon their graduation (more on this follows).
• To require summer internship and support timely, targeted internship search for admitted students.
The annual tuition fee for our program will align with our undergraduate programs, currently set at YTL 22,500.00 To enhance our appeal in the Turkish market and attract a greater number of qualified students, we intend to offer scholarships averaging 40-50% for participants in this program.
5.2.4 Student Forecasts and Underlying Assumptions
QUALITY OF OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS
SU Undergraduate Intake Statistics
The ệSS Exam, conducted annually, serves as a crucial benchmark for assessing student quality and university placement, providing each candidate with a point score and a rank Due to evolving exam characteristics, student ranks offer a more consistent basis for year-to-year performance comparison than point scores Data reveals that students entering SU predominantly come from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), although those from the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS) can also pursue a BA in Management To address potential skewness in rank data, we present the median, 5th, and 95th percentiles of percent ranks for our intake The analysis indicates that the median rank of engineering students places them in the top 2.5% of exam takers, while arts and social sciences students rank in the top 4%.
Figure 7 Undergraduate Student Intake Through Two Faculties
In Turkey, most universities admit students into specific departments based on the YKS exam; however, Sakarya University (SU) offers a unique approach by allowing students to enter two faculties and granting them the freedom to choose any program within those faculties.
In summary, most of our undergraduate students come from the top 5% of the 1.6 million ệSS exam takers every year
Figure 8 ệSS Performance of SU Undergraduate Student Intake
A significant statistic for CEMS membership is the number of undergraduate students at SU who graduate from trilingual high schools in Istanbul, specifically those teaching in French, German, or Italian These graduates represent a valuable pool for the CEMS-MIM program, with approximately 90 enrolling at SU each year Notable institutions include Saint Joseph Private French High School, Saint Benoit Private French High School, Lycèe Galatasaray, Notre Dame De Sion Private French High School, Sainte Pulcherie Private French High School, Saint Michel Private French High School, İstanbul High School (German), German High School, Sankt Georg Austrian High School, Italian High School, Beyoğlu Italian High School, and Galileo Galilei Italian High School.
Figure 9 SU Undergraduates from European Language High Schools
Admissions to FMAN’s Full-time Graduate Programs
This section presents summary statistics for recent students enrolled in all graduate programs at FMAN, with a specific focus on the full-time graduate programs at FMAN and pertinent FASS graduate programs, such as Economics and European Studies, which are particularly relevant to CEMS membership.
Table 22 Statistics on the Students Entering All Graduate Programs of FMAN
6.2.1 Admissions to the MBA Program
The MBA program at FMAN is designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds with limited business experience Applicants must possess a four-year Bachelor's degree and achieve a minimum score of 55 points on the ALES exam, which assesses academic readiness for graduate studies, akin to the GRE or GMAT However, given the competitive admissions process, successful candidates often have significantly higher scores Additionally, the program requires official GMAT and TOEFL scores, with a minimum score for the TOEFL CBT.
220, IBT 83) that indicate English proficiency, two letters of recommendation and transcript(s) from institution(s) attended earlier Again, satisfying minimum score levels for TOEFL and GMAT exams does not guarantee admission.
Students who meet YệK's minimum admission criteria undergo a screening and interview process led by the MBA Program Director and an Admissions Committee Applicants are assessed through a written exercise and a structured interview with two faculty members, focusing on their spoken English, academic qualifications, personal readiness, and motivation for the MBA program Once all interviews are conducted, the Admissions Committee offers admission to a select group of candidates.
For more information on admission procedures to our MBA program go to: http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/ybf/eng/?PrgMba/Application_Requirements.html
The MBA program at SU currently has 26 first-year and 28 second-year students, with a limited average work experience of 14 months, primarily due to the trend in Turkey where many pursue an MBA as a pre-experience degree This choice often stems from the desire to shift careers following the National Entrance Exam (YKS) or parental influence Additionally, enrolling in a graduate program provides young men with a deferral from mandatory military service, which is typically fulfilled after completing their undergraduate studies Consequently, the gender distribution of the student body is slightly male-dominated, comprising 57% males and 43% females, with a significant majority of students (69%) holding undergraduate degrees in Engineering.
Business/Economics (19%) and Social and Natural Sciences (12%).
The majority of SU MBA students are graduates of elite universities in Turkey, e.g., Middle East
Technical University, Koỗ University, Bilkent University, Boğaziỗi University, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and SU along with international (i.e non Turkish) universities
Figure 10 Undergraduate Universities for MBA Classes of 2008 through 2010
Some summary statistics on the required examinations for the MBA Classes of 2008 through 2010 are as follows:
6.2.2 Admissions to the Masters in Finance (MiF) Program
The MiF program shares similar admission requirements with the MBA program For detailed information on the admission process for the MiF program, please visit: http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/ybf/eng/?
The MiF program, now in its inaugural year, has attracted 13 students from diverse academic backgrounds, many of whom possess limited or no prior business experience Among these students, 38% hold undergraduate degrees in Engineering, 46% in Business or Economics, and 15% in Natural Sciences.
Sciences The gender distribution is slightly skewed towards males, with 38 % female and 62% male students Most of the SU MiF students are graduates from SU
6.2.3 Admissions to the Leaders for Industry (LFI) Program
The LFI program is designed for candidates with engineering backgrounds seeking to enhance their management skills while deepening their engineering expertise It focuses on specialized areas aligned with the needs of partner companies, attracting applicants who typically hold a Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Electronics Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or Biological Sciences and Bioengineering.
Candidates are required to submit an official transcript demonstrating a minimum GPA of 2.70 (on a 4.0 scale) or 70 (out of 100), along with scores from either the LES, ALES, or GRE, and a TOEFL score to verify English proficiency Additionally, applicants must provide letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose Following the application deadline of June 1, the Admissions Committee reviews submissions and invites selected candidates for an interview, which is conducted by program directors, faculty members from the engineering and management departments, as well as HR directors and representatives from sponsoring firms.
The LFI program offers a fully-sponsored scholarship package for admitted students, which includes a complete tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and partial housing support This comprehensive financial aid attracts top-tier graduate students to SU, thanks to its rigorous selection criteria Additionally, the program exemplifies successful university-industry collaboration, leveraging partnerships with sponsor companies to enhance educational opportunities and industry benefits.
For more information on admission procedures to the LFI program go to: http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/mdbf/lfi/eng/?Admissions/Admissions.html
The 2007 entering class at LFI consists of 10 students, while the 2008 class has 6 students LFI students are predominantly top graduates from prestigious engineering institutions such as Istanbul Technical University, Yıldız Technical University, Middle East Technical University, and Sabancı University, ensuring a high caliber of talent among the students.
Figure 11 Undergraduate Institutions of LFI Students (Classes of 2009-2010)
6.2.4 Admissions to the MA programs at FASS
The admission process for the MA programs at FASS requires applicants to submit an official transcript, GRE scores (with a minimum of 780 in the quantitative section for the MA in Economics), a TOEFL score to demonstrate English proficiency, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose Most FASS MA students come from prestigious English language universities in Turkey, such as Bilkent University, Boğaziçi University, and Sabancı University, as well as international institutions The average GRE quantitative scores for the 2008 entering classes were 789 for the MA in Economics and 740 for the MA in European Studies, while the average TOEFL (IBT) scores were 94.8 (median 76) for Economics and 91.5 for European Studies.
Placement Success of our Alumni
Graduates of Sabancı University, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, have achieved remarkable success after graduation, with many advancing to further studies or securing positions in leading universities and companies Here, we present key statistics from our undergraduate and MBA programs, which we believe are particularly relevant to CEMS membership.
Approximately 30% of our alumni continue their education with a graduate degree immediately after completing their bachelor's, while this figure is 20% for those with a BA in Management Many of these students are awarded full scholarships to some of the world's most prestigious universities Their achievements serve as a key indicator of the quality of our undergraduate program, as illustrated in the accompanying figure that highlights the universities with the highest number of our graduates.
Figure 12 Universities where at least 5 SU undergraduate alumni attended a graduate program (2003-2007)
Over 50% of our undergraduates secure professional careers at leading companies in Turkey upon graduation Notably, data from 2007 indicates that 93% of our alumni are employed within one year of completing their degrees.
Figure 13 Percent of Alumni Placed within One Year of Graduation Some of the companies that hired our undergraduate alumni are as follows:
ABB Elektrik Sanayi AŞ Fortis Bank Novartis
Accenture Danışmanlık Frito Lay Oracle Bilgisayar Ltd Sti.
ACNielsen Araştırma Hizmetleri A.Ş GlaxoSmithKline Peppers & Rogers Group
Alcatel Lucent Türkiye Google PepsiCo International
Alstom Transport Henkel - İstanbul Perfetti Van Melle Türkiye
Associated Press Hewlett-Packard (HP) Pfizer
Autoliv Cankor Otomotiv Emniyet Sist HSBC Bank Philips- Japonya
Aviva Hayat Emeklilik IBM Turk Limited Sirketi Phillip Morris
Bayer Türk Kimya Infenion Technologies AG Pirelli
Blockbuster Inc Johnson & Johnson Pricewaterhousecoopers
Bosch San Johnson Diversey - İstanbul Procter & Gamble - Brüksel
BP Petrolleri JP Morgan Reckitt Benckiser
British American Tobacco Kimberly-Clark Company Reuters
Carrefour KLM Robert Bosch GmbH - Sttutgart
Cisco Systems KPMG Rolls Royce
Credit Europe Bank - Holland Lilly İlaỗ Shell International Ltd - UK
Danonesa L'Oreal Siemens San Tic AŞ
Deloitte & Touche - Amerika Mattel Sony
Deutsche Bank Germany McKinsey and Company Tchibo
DHL Express Mercedes Benz Toyota Motor Europe
Dupont Türkiye Metro Cash&Carry TRW Automotive Aftermarket
Ericsson Telekomünikasyon Microsoft Corporation Unilever Türkiye
Ernst & Young Millennium Bank Vodafone
ETH, Zurich Nestle Gıda Xerox
Several start-up companies have also been founded by SU Alumni in areas such as Information
Technology, Software Development, and Advanced Materials, of which two are based abroad.
6.3.1 Placement Success of our MBA Program Alumni
We maintain placement statistics for our MBA program alumni in accordance with the standards set by the MBA Career Services Council Table 23 illustrates the placement performance of alumni who were actively seeking employment, excluding those who were involved in family businesses, started their own companies, or fulfilled military service obligations.
Table 23 MBA Program Placement Performance
% employed by three months of graduation 89 % 100 %
In addition to being placed rather quickly our alumni have been recruited by some of the leading
Turkish and multinational companies, as depicted in Table 24
Table 24 Companies that hired MBA Class of 2007 and 2008
Abott Pharmaceutical Deutsche Bank Novo Nordisk
Akbank Ernst and Young Philip Morris
Avea Fuyang Kangwei Garlic Products Sony
Coca Cola Maersk Wyeth Pharmaceutical
OTHER STRENGTHS OF SU AND SU-FMAN
Integration with and Contribution to the Society
Sabancı University (SU) stands out among private universities in Turkey for its strong societal integration and contributions, rooted in the philanthropic legacy of the Sabancı family Guided by the university's core values and strategic vision, SU aims to engage actively with the community rather than operate as an isolated institution This commitment to societal involvement reflects the university's dedication to fostering meaningful connections and adding value to Turkish society.
SU offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities for aspiring students, with approximately 40% of undergraduates benefiting from financial aid that allows them to concentrate on their studies Continuing students also have access to scholarships based on their financial need and academic merit Since 1999, nearly 3,000 scholarships have been awarded to support SU's student community.
• Along with scholarships, a recent study by the Higher Education Council (YệK) has identified
SU leads private higher education institutions in Turkey with its significant investment in student education, allocating $30,000 per student annually Remarkably, tuition fees cover only about 63% of the university's overall budget, highlighting its commitment to providing quality education.
In recognition of the challenges faced by NGOs and civic participation in Turkey, all undergraduate students at SU are required to complete 40 hours of Community Involvement Projects (CIPs) during their first year This initiative allows students to address the needs of both the local community, which faces various socio-economic challenges, and more remote areas of the country To date, 4,200 students have participated in over 630 projects, focusing on areas such as education, environmental conservation, and support for the elderly and disabled Notably, more than 25% of students continue their involvement with the CIP office even after meeting their hour requirements Additionally, nearly 20 universities across Turkey have sought assistance from SU to establish their own CIPs, highlighting the program's impact and success.
FMAN demonstrates its commitment to responsible management by adopting the Principles for Responsible Management Education, participating on the boards of the Turkish Sustainable Development Association, endorsing the UN Global Compact, and mandating Business Ethics classes.
Corporate Governance Forum of Turkey, actively seeks to promote and embody the principles of responsible management
The Istanbul Policy Center, described as a "think and do tank" by its founding director, former Boğaziçi University rector Prof İstın Ergüder, operates as an NGO dedicated to promoting critical thinking, debate, and lobbying Its mission is to influence key educational and socio-political issues within Turkey's agenda.
Enhancing the status of women in Turkey is a key focus for us, and we actively support various NGOs dedicated to this cause A significant initiative we've undertaken is the UN Joint Program, which underscores our commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the region.
The "Promoting and Protecting Women's and Girls' Human Rights" project is a collaborative initiative in Turkey involving various United Nations institutions, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Sabancı Foundation, and Sabancı University (SU) Its primary goal is to reduce gender inequality by fostering cooperation among local governments, public institutions, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations As part of this effort, SU faculty members have implemented the Purple Certificate program in six provinces, aimed at enhancing awareness of women's human rights among high school teachers and students Additionally, the project collaborates closely with KAGIDER, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Association, to further support women's rights and empowerment.
Scientific research and intellectual outputs, including patents and inventions, represent a significant yet often overlooked contribution of SU to society As a hub of innovative thinking, SU enhances the efficiency of products that impact the Turkish economy and challenges both Turkish and global scientific trends In 2007, over 170 research projects were conducted in collaboration with international partners, leading to advancements that improve the quality of life.
Since its inception, SU has successfully facilitated a "reverse brain drain," attracting talented Turkish professionals who once sought opportunities abroad Remarkably, around 85% of our faculty members have returned to Turkey after pursuing their postgraduate studies at prestigious universities in Europe and the USA.
SU plays a vital role in enriching society by promoting culture and the arts The Sakıp Sabancı Museum and the Sabancı Performing Arts Center, along with the university's contemporary art spaces, serve as important venues for local communities and attract a diverse audience from regional, national, and international backgrounds.
Unique Undergraduate Curriculum
All undergraduate applicants to Turkish universities must take the entrance examination (YKS) conducted by the National Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), which is affiliated with the Higher Education Council (YÖK) The Council evaluates applicants based on their subject grades, high school performance, and preferences to determine enrollment in specific universities and programs While most universities assign students to particular departments immediately, Sabancı University (SU) allows students to enroll in the university without a designated program, giving them the freedom to choose their major at the end of their second year, without quotas or GPA restrictions, even for popular programs.
Dr Dilek Çetindamar, a faculty member at our university, played a key role in an international task force that established important educational principles We believe students should have the freedom to choose their own academic paths rather than being compelled into programs that do not interest them This commitment to student choice distinguishes us as the only university in Turkey that offers such flexibility, significantly enhancing our ability to attract high-caliber students.
All undergraduate students at Sabancı University are required to complete a set of foundational university courses in their first year, following an English preparation year if necessary These courses are designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in the humanities and sciences Additionally, the undergraduate programs offer flexibility, allowing students to choose various electives outside their major, thus broadening their educational perspective For more details on university courses, please visit: http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/eng/?ogrenim/temelgelistirme/dersler/dersler.html
Academic Support Services for Students
At SU, student support is a top priority, with the Center for Individual and Academic Development (CIAD) dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition from secondary to undergraduate education CIAD consists of various sub-units designed to help students adapt to university life effectively.
Academic Support offers essential services that empower students to thrive in the university environment by helping them identify their academic goals and make informed course selections aligned with their career aspirations The unit fosters peer support and contributes to a positive academic and social atmosphere on campus Additionally, Academic Support is dedicated to enhancing student success and raising awareness of both local and global issues.
• Disabled Student Support: Disabled students are supported regarding their mobility in the campus as well as their academic and personal well-being.
CIAD offers individual counseling to support students with their academic and personal challenges This service helps students identify their concerns, evaluate existing solutions, and create new coping strategies, ultimately equipping them with essential skills for a healthy and successful adult life.
The Writing Center fosters a supportive learning environment to help students achieve excellence in written English Its primary goal is to enhance students' academic writing skills while also offering assistance in presentation and creative writing To accomplish this, the Center provides a variety of workshops, tutorials, and personalized support, including guidance from peer tutors.
Infrastructure and Campus Life
The SU campus, situated on the outskirts of Istanbul, boasts cutting-edge facilities across its expansive 1.3 million square meters, including more than 162,000 square meters of indoor space It features classrooms of varying sizes within three faculty buildings and the School of Languages, each equipped with an auditorium that accommodates between 170 and 380 attendees.
The FMAN building spans 12,750 square meters and features 50 faculty offices, 13 classrooms, and 41 student team offices, along with a collaborative workspace for up to 8 teams Additional facilities include 2 seminar rooms, 3 meeting rooms, and an auditorium The top floor houses 50 hotel rooms managed by the Executive Development Unit (EDU), primarily catering to executive education participants and Executive MBA students, while also being available for general campus visitors.
At FMAN, all classrooms and seminar rooms are equipped with desktop computers, projectors, and screens Additionally, three classrooms provide power outlets and wired connections at individual seats, enhancing the experience for students using laptops with internet and intranet access.
Our state-of-the-art Information Center boasts an extensive collection of resources, including 87,415 books, 38,057 e-books, and 31,561 multimedia items, alongside over 20,000 print and electronic journals With access to 62 online databases, including specialized management and business resources like Ebsco-Host and ISI Emerging Markets, the center supports diverse research needs Additionally, the facility offers ample individual and group study spaces, making it a popular destination for students seeking a conducive learning environment.
SU boasts an unparalleled information technology infrastructure in Turkey, dedicated to equipping faculty and students with the latest tools and software Upon registration, every student receives a laptop, empowering instructors to leverage cutting-edge technology in their teaching and granting students access to vast resources from anywhere.
The University offers a 24-hour Health Center and a fully equipped ambulance, ensuring immediate medical assistance for students Additionally, private health insurance is provided at no extra cost, which is crucial for students' well-being The annually updated health services and insurance plans support students in maintaining a healthy social life while excelling in their academic pursuits.
SU is primarily a residential campus, with around 75% of students and 60% of faculty living on-site All dormitories are located on campus, offering rooms for 2 or 4 students that come with showers, closets, and personal telephones Additionally, all exchange students are assured on-campus housing.
7.4.5 Transportation and Other University Services
The University Center features a variety of independently operated facilities designed to meet the needs of students and faculty, including a full-service bank, supermarket, bookstore, copy center, dry cleaning services, and technology shops Additionally, the dormitory area offers several cafes and a hair salon, all run independently The university also provides mail services for students.
The university offers a transportation service that connects the campus with various city locations, featuring regularly scheduled shuttles available to students for a nominal fee This transportation cost is partially subsidized by the university, making it an accessible option for students.
The University offers a convenient help desk designed to support students, staff, and subcontractors with any inquiries related to campus facilities, ensuring the optimal use of the University’s resources.
The Sports Center features a versatile multi-purpose court suitable for basketball, volleyball, and handball, accommodating up to 1,200 spectators It includes three international-standard squash courts, two aerobics studios, a covered tennis court, and a climbing wall, along with locker rooms and showers Membership is complimentary for all University members, and necessary equipment can be borrowed from the Sports Center.
The Sakıp Sabancı Museum, located on the Bosphorus, features a historic mansion and a modern gallery annex that spans 3,500 m², making it a venue for diverse exhibitions of international standards The museum showcases a valuable collection of manuscripts alongside an extensive array of 19th and 20th-century paintings in both the original house and the gallery annex Additionally, it hosts national and international exhibitions, including recent showcases of works by renowned artists Picasso and Dali.
The SU Performing Arts Center (SGM) is dedicated to enhancing the vibrant cultural scene of Istanbul, with a special focus on the Asian side of the city, by offering a range of cultural and artistic services.
The performing arts center, the largest and most well-equipped on the Asian side of the city, serves university students, staff, and art enthusiasts alike Each month, it hosts 8-9 arts events, offering heavily subsidized ticket prices—approximately €4 for students and €6 for the general public The diverse lineup includes concerts spanning classical, jazz, and pop genres, as well as professional theatre and dance performances Additionally, student clubs from the university, such as choirs and theatre groups, showcase their talents at the center.
7.4.8 Student Clubs and Extracurricular Activities
SU promotes student extracurricular activities that enhance social, cultural, artistic, and individual skills, fostering creativity among students Aligned with the university's philosophy of "creating and developing together," these clubs thrive through active participation from the campus community Additionally, the university honors exceptional accomplishments in extracurricular engagement at its annual Extracurricular Activity Awards event.
Currently, the following student clubs are active:
Aerospace Club Folklore Club Model United Nations Club
Amateur Astronomy Society FRP Club Motor Sports Club
Atatürk Club Game Club Music Club
Bridge Club Gender Club Ocean Publication Club
Ceramics Club Global Interaction Club Outdoor Sports Club
Chess Club Horseback Riding Club PiraSA Humour Club
Cinema Club Ice Skating Club Photography Club
Computer Club IEEE Student Branch Politics Club
CoRe (Conflict Resolution Club) International Students Club Radio Club
Culture and Literature Club Istanbul Club Robotic Club
Dance Club LeYLeK Travel Club Sailing Club
Debate Club Linux Users Group Saving the World Club
Economics & Management Club Mathematics Club Underwater Sports Club
EU Club MBA Club Young Entrepreneurs Club