Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) is preparing to take part in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, with 11 projects accepted within the scope of the conference.

Covering areas including climate action, environmental sustainability, green transition, circular economy, and the protection of natural resources, the projects will bring OMU’s scientific research to an international platform.

Scientific contributions to climate action and sustainability

Developed by academics and researchers from different faculties and research institutes at OMU, the projects span interdisciplinary fields including environmental engineering, education, agriculture, energy, health, and ecosystem conservation.

The accepted projects address subjects such as wastewater treatment, assessment of carbon sink capacity, climate change awareness, sustainable agricultural practices, energy storage technologies, restoration of natural habitats, and the development of zero-waste practices on university campuses.

Through these projects, researchers aim to develop science-based approaches to the environmental and societal impacts of climate change, promote sustainability awareness, and contribute to international scientific cooperation.

11 projects accepted across multiple disciplines

A total of 11 projects developed by academics and researchers from OMU’s Faculties of Engineering, Education, Agriculture, and Health Sciences, as well as the Hemp Research Institute, Wildlife Research Institute, and Institute of Graduate Studies, were accepted within the scope of COP31.

The 11 projects are led by 10 different researchers, with Prof. Dr. Nurdan Gamze Turan of the Faculty of Engineering contributing two separate projects.

Strengthening OMU’s international scientific visibility

The 11 projects will contribute to the international visibility of OMU’s scientific work in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development.

OMU congratulates all academics and researchers who will represent the University within the scope of COP31 and wishes them continued success in their work.

OMU projects to take part in COP31:

1. Prof. Dr. Nurdan Gamze Turan – Faculty of Engineering 
   “Reducing the Carbon Footprint of University Campuses through Zero Waste and Circular Economy Approaches: Developing a Climate-Friendly Campus Model”.
2. Prof. Dr. Nurdan Gamze Turan – Faculty of Engineering
   “Converting Organic Waste into High-Value Compost on University Campuses from a Green Transition and Circular Economy Perspective: The Case of OMU Kurupelit Campus”
3. Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz – Faculty of Engineering
   “Carbon Sink Capacity Assessment: Determining the Carbon Sequestration Capacity of Hazelnut Orchards in Ordu, Giresun, and Samsun”
4. Prof. Dr. Nevin Özdemir – Faculty of Education
   “Developing GreenComp-Based Climate and Sustainability Competencies during the COP31 Process: A University–School Cooperation Model”
5. Prof. Dr. Kiraz Erciyas Yavuz – Wildlife Research Institute
   “Restoration of Wet Meadows in the Kızılırmak Delta”
6. Prof. Dr. Aliye Özenoğlu – Faculty of Health Sciences
   “The Impact of Climate Change Awareness on Food Choices and Sport Performance Anxiety among Faculty of Sports Sciences Students”
7. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gediz Uğuz – Faculty of Engineering
   “Pyrolysis-Based Treatment of Sewage Sludge”
8. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arife Şimşek – Hemp Research Institute
   “Determining the Adsorption Efficiency of Activated and Non-Activated Hemp Nanobiochar for the Removal of Heavy Metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn) from Wastewater”
9. Lecturer Dr. Mohammed Abdulkareem Mansoor Mohammed Al-samet – Faculty of Engineering
   “Synthesis and Characterization of Nanofiber-Based Thin and Flexible Anode, Cathode, and Separator Films for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries”
10. Research Assistant Dr. Bayram Ali Yerlikaya – Faculty of Agriculture
    “Investigating the Heritable Genome-Editing Capacity of Cas Proteins Using Viral Vectors for Transgene-Free Tomato Breeding and Developing Multi-Stress-Tolerant Lines”
11. Ceren Hatipoğlu – Doctoral Student, Institute of Graduate Studies
    “The Contribution of Activity-Based Climate Change Education to Social Studies Teacher Candidates’ Awareness, Attitudes, and Learning Experiences: A Mixed-Methods Study”