Students Explore Quantum Science and Technology on Global Engineering Trek to Türkiye

A week in Türkiye gave Northwestern Engineering students the chance to explore quantum science and technology not only in the classroom, but through research labs, hands-on demonstrations, industry perspectives, and conversations with researchers working in the field.

The Global Engineering Trek (GET), held September 13-20 in Istanbul, brought 10 students to Koç University for an immersive program combining technical learning with cultural exploration. The students, most of whom were entering their second and third years, represented McCormick School of Engineering programs in biomedical engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering. Participants studying physics through Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences also joined the trek.

The trek was led by Koray Aydin, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the McCormick, and Gamze Gul, a postdoctoral scholar conducting research on quantum science and technology. At Koç University, Özgür Müstecaplıoğlu, professor of physics developed and coordinated the academic program.

“Leading this trip meant a lot to me. Türkiye is my home country, and the trek let me bring it together with my Northwestern community,” Aydin said. “I wanted students to get to know the place through the people who study and work there, not just the sights. If they came home with a new scientific interest, or a bit more willingness to go somewhere unfamiliar, I would consider it a successful trek.”

Working with Koç University, the program introduced students to several areas of quantum science and technology. Lectures examined quantum computing as well as applications in sensing, simulation, communication, and biology. Students also learned about Türkiye’s growing quantum technology community through a seminar that included quantum optimization demonstrations and access to a quantum computer.

That learning extended beyond lectures.

During a workshop led by Türkiye-based quantum technology company Kuanticy, a quantum computer was brought to the Koç University campus, giving students the opportunity to code directly on the room-temperature, chip-based system. The group also visited research facilities including Professor Mehmet Cengiz Onbasli’s lab, the KUIS AI Center, and N2Star, Koç University’s nanofabrication and nanocharacterization center.

Students also heard from Barbaros Gunay, senior cloud solution architect manager at Microsoft in Istanbul, about Microsoft Azure Quantum, AI, and quantum technologies. Later in the week, students visited TÜBİTAK National Metrology Institute, where they toured laboratories and fabrication facilities, saw a superconducting quantum computer, and heard directly from researchers about their work in quantum science and technology.

“Quantum technology brings together many of the subjects these students are studying separately at Northwestern,” Aydin said. “We wanted them to see how someone working in electrical engineering, physics, computer science, or materials science can contribute to the same research problem, and start thinking about where their own interests might fit.”

The itinerary was designed to make learning about Türkiye part of the experience as well.

Students were introduced to Turkish culture and participated in a marbling workshop at Koç University. A daylong tour of Istanbul’s historic peninsula included landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Suleymaniye Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. The group later explored Istanbul’s Asian side before closing the week with a traditional Turkish breakfast and a Bosphorus tour.

There was also an excursion to experience a home match for the Beşiktaş soccer team, even if the group didn’t have tickets to actually enter the stadium. That didn’t bother Mira Hasiba.

I wanted students to get to know the place through the people who study and work there, not just the sights. If they came home with a new scientific interest, or a bit more willingness to go somewhere unfamiliar, I would consider it a successful trek. Koray Aydin

"We watched the game at some watch parties that we went to in the area, and I think it was a really great opportunity to experience Turkish football culture and see how everyone was celebrating their wins and how the community was super active despite being so late at night for this game,” said Hasiba, a second-year electrical engineering student. “I had a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed joining in their celebrations and feeling like I was part of the team, even though I don’t watch soccer regularly.”

Jason Ta, a second-year computer science student, said spending time with Koç University students was a highlight of the trek. They studied different aspects of quantum computing together during the day and explored Istanbul in the evenings.

“Being able to openly share ideas with students who grew up in a different country, with a different mindset, was incredibly rewarding. I learned a great deal from them, not just academically but personally,” Ta said. “Northwestern is a diverse school, but being fully immersed in the culture and surrounded by local students pushed me to engage with them directly, and that cross-cultural exchange was a beautiful experience.”

Students interested in taking part in a future GET or another international experience can learn more at the Global Initiatives Fair on Friday, November 13, at 11 a.m. in the Technological Institute Lobby. The fair includes information on treks and exchange programs, along with study abroad, internships, co-ops, research, and funding opportunities. Students can also speak with representatives from participating Northwestern programs and offices.