beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
1
From the editors
Index
Dear readers,
The Interview with Ziya Kürküt, 3
In this 10th issue of Bee Writer, readers will be pleased to find a plethora of topics both entertaining and informative. Take a break from exam studying or relax after an exam has finished enjoying the articles in store this issue.
an artist, performer and teacher
A Closer Look at One Department, 10 Information Systems
Delve into the history of Turkey and Istanbul. In honor of the national celebrations held around the country, Çağrı Özsan explains a little bit of the history of Ataturk and National Sovereignty and Children's Day. İlkay Dilan Taşkireç gives some information about the architecture of Beyoğlu with this issue’s landmark piece.
Engineering Department
After enjoying some history, learn more about what ITU has to offer with three informative pieces about the goings-on around our school. Pırıl Okuroğulları interviews a professor from the Information and Systems Engineering Department, and gets into the topic of the Dual Diploma Program. Also, Utku Ertuğral and Efser Özer learn about the solar-powered car Aruna, built and raced by ITU students. Then, Yağmur İşeri talks about what the dance club gets up to on campus.
Atatürk & National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
Finally, peruse this issue’s interview with Ziya Kürküt by Aylin Adsalan and Hava Nur Yavaş. Kürküt is not only an artist and performer but also an ITU teacher who learns from our students and gives them some of his own advice.
benefits, types and
A Landmark, 12 architecture in Beyoğlu
April 23, 15
Aruna, 19 a hero in the planet
Dance, 23
ITU Dance Club
the cover photo by İlknur Karaman
Happy reading. İlknur Karaman
www.writing.itu.edu.tr
Meridith Paterson
writing@itu.edu.tr
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
2
The Interview with Ziya Kürküt
F
or this issue we interviewed Ziya Kürküt, a very successful actor in Turkish films, theaters and TV programs. Let’s begin from your childhood. Were you interested in art when you were a child? What was I doing when I was a child? I wasn’t interested in art so much, yet I had a great art teacher: Ali Kıyak. He graduated from an academy. He taught us the basics of art such as drawing lines, and drawing pictures. Also, he taught us Karagöz and Hacivat. Hence, I’ve found myself in art. In 2006 I opened an art exhibition with the knowledge I learned from him. When I was a child, I was seduced by this job. I would gather people together, and do theater myself. Nonetheless, I couldn’t even guess I would go to a conservatory and become an actor.
there said “will you be a snob going to the conservatory? People studying there are snobs.” Still, I studied at the conservatory and I realized that they were not snobs. There were really a lot of things that we didn’t know. I thought I knew everything when I was doing theater as an amateur. Yet, it wasn’t like that at all. People encounter a lot of things over time. I encountered dance, music, literature, history, costume, décor and so on. I graduated from Istanbul University State Conservatory. My school’s education was really good. I was a student of Yıldız Kenter. I had awesome teachers. I was very lucky.
So, how did you decide to study theater? It took me finishing high school 2 years late. I fell in love with a girl at the 2nd grade, and she was in the theater club, so I joined the club too after her. She dropped out of the club, but I didn’t and thought it was a good job. I finished the school and took the university exam like every Turkish young person. I couldn’t be successful. At that time I decided to go to a conservatory. Also, I was doing theater with my friends as an amateur. My friends beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
So, how did you start to be interested in art? I’m already a person turning my emotions or whatever is inside me into colors and 3
figures when I’m bored or unhappy. I mean this is a therapy for me. As I drew, they accumulated. Then my wife said “Let’s open an art exhibition for you.” By the way, I had two children. I said “Come off it! If I do, everybody will laugh at me.” She said what’s the worst that could happen, and in 2006, I opened an art exhibition comprising of 79 pieces. Moreover, they were sold out. Did you get any education about art? No. As I said, I could learn some thanks to Ali Kıyak, my teacher at secondary school. However, I always went to exhibitions, followed artists and trends. I take pleasure in this. Yet, I never imagined having canvases. Moreover, I have an allergy to thinner and turpentine. Therefore, I can work only with acrylic and watercolor.
Why was sincerity?
your
exhibition’s
name
Because I was so sincere. I prepared it with my whole sincere feelings. I wasn’t ambitious. I have a painter friend from high school who graduated from the academy. He said “Even I didn’t open an exhibition. How can you do it?” and I answered “As Hamlet said, consciousness does make us all cowards. Do I establish a theater? No. Yet, I can open an exhibition. Also, you can’t open an exhibition, but a theater.” So it was prepared sincerely. So, do you want to open one more art exhibition? Yes, but it’s a matter of time. I’ve realized later. In my first exhibition, I made a mistake. I was there only on the cocktail day, but in fact I should have been there every day because people visit it every day and they want to have a talk or ask a question to the artist. However, I keep it in my mind. I’ve already planned its tour, going to Izmir and Ankara on tour like a theater tour. So, did you think of any names for it? Sincerity 2. (laughing) Like Star Wars 1 2 3 and the Harry Potter series. You’re also a well-known presenter. Did you get any education about it? No. One of my teachers made me a presenter, especially a live presenter. Cüney Türel was our teacher in a voice training course. At this time, ATV had newly opened and I was a presenter for a program on TRT as a part of our job. And my teacher said, “I’ll make you a
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
4
presenter”. I said I couldn’t, it was impossible, yet he said I could. And he launched me out into this sector. After that, I have been a presenter since the 90s. Of course, I love it so much. Especially being a live presenter. Delayed broadcast is unpleasant, but the live one is really very pleasant. Furthermore it’s very difficult. Yeah, it is. Adrenalin and adventure. All of them are together. Risky, dangerous.
Erkal. I mean after playing with such significant actors and actresses, I said who I will play with now. I don’t know. Also, last year you played in “Every year the birds come back” by Ahmet Levendoğlu. Right. Ahmet Levendoğlu was my teacher, too. He gave us scene and voice training. After years, he became my boss and director.
“Guests of a house without music” was your first theater play, right? Nope. My first play was Konçinalar as a professional with Taner Barlas Mim Theater. We played at the Istanbul festival. Next, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Then, the Metamorphosis by Kafka and then Harold and Maude and then Dear Yelena Sergiyevna and then Guests of a house without music. In addition, there was also a play called Peace. I was very fast in those years. Also, I worked at a few theaters, so you can be confused. “The Guests of a house without music” played again. Did you watch it? I couldn’t, unfortunately. It was really a good piece. Also, our cast was very good. For example, I played with Macide Tanır cheek to cheek, breath to breath. She was a very significant actress not only for me but also for Turkish theater. For instance, my first professional partner was my teacher Yıldız Kenter. Later as a professional, I played with her on stage. And then Macide Tanır and then Genco beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
Does the play still continue? Now, it’s stopped on January 5th because it was a festival play. You know festival plays are closer to art. Therefore, it wants its audience to be patient. If it were a comedy play, they would applause laughing, yet in this one, racking their brain seems hard to them. Also, it was tiring for us, too. I had difficulties with it, 5
but it was a very interesting play by Jez Butterworth. It was an interesting job for me. So, how is Levendoğlu?
working
with
Ahmet
Ahmet has always been a teacher. In professional life, it’s just like that when you’re a student, he is just your teacher, but after graduation you become friendlier. Yet, I always addressed them both Yıldız Kenter and Ahmet Leventoğlu as teacher because they’ve always been teaching you different things. He is a really very respectful person and well disciplined. He’s just like coming from space. I mean a very good person. Now there is no one like him on the earth, I think. The theater takes up his whole life, yet he never boasts saying “I’m a big actor.” He is so noble that he makes his job just like a lord.
What do you think about the sector of Turkish TV series? It’s very hard for me because my tolerance is decreasing day by day; furthermore, I’m getting older. Formerly, the TV series were completed in 3-5 days, but now it lasts for months and weeks. Shooting a TV series takes 22 hours a day. Still, despite your excellent labor, you can’t get its return exactly. Even though you do, it becomes joyless because now it’s become a real grind. Thus, I don’t want to be in this sector anymore. Also, I don’t want to say certainly because whenever I said I would never do this, I experienced it. I would always say I don’t like Ankara, yet I became a presenter for a program in Ankara. Now, I say I won’t shoot a TV series, but if you see me in a TV series, don’t be surprised. The time spent for shooting and the effort have increased; on the other hand, the quality’s decreased conversely. Of course. It’s normal. There should be certain working hours. In this sector, you go to the set very early, and your turn comes much later in the evening or night. This discourages you from work. For example, when it hails, they say let’s seize this opportunity and shoot under hail. Then, they say the rain is over and the sun is up now, we should shoot the same scene again. In 2006 we went to Beypazarı for shooting. It snowed, so we shot everything again because every scene was connected to each other. And this time the snow melted. We couldn’t shoot it again, so when you’re inside, there is no snow, yet when you’re outside, there is
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
6
snow. Such an absurdity. Still, it isn’t like that abroad. Every crew has a plateau. It does not matter if it is summer or winter because all kinds of scenes are shot in a studio. In Turkey, I don’t know why we do it like that. We shoot in the street, under the trees or on the coast, can you imagine? Maybe it is because of avoiding paying too much money to places or people.
course.” I accepted the offer willingly. Thus, I met Mine Teacher and I have been at ITU for 4 years.
Do you think it is a failure of the government? No, it is not about government. It is because of the producers. The firms want to employ so many people with a low budget and then this happens. So, how did you begin to be an acting instructor at ITU? It’s actually very interesting. This story started 26 years ago. My friends Bora Seçkin and Ahmet Süha Çalkıvik, also your teachers, were instructors at ITU. From time to time, I came here and joined the lessons with them as a guest. They were teachers in the theater acting course at the ITU Conservatory. They were organizing 6-7 theater competitions every season, and I became a presenter for these theater competitions. Then this team graduated and started professional life doing their own job. Nevertheless, because the theater became a passion for them, they founded “After Six Theater Group” and then they also founded “Kumbaracı50”. Anyway back to what I was saying. Ahmet Süha Çalkıvık asked me “Would you want to be an instructor at ITU? We need someone for the theater beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
So, do you have difficulties with engineering students in the course? I give lessons to preparatory students. My first question to them is why they want to participate in this course. All of them want to develop themselves. They want to speak well and have courage. Already, all of them are courageous. Most of them are in Istanbul for the first time. Also, it is the first time that they stay in a dormitory with people they don’t know. This course is a window in their lives and will be a nice memory in the future. We can be together just one day a week half an hour for 9 weeks. I don’t have a break and it lasts two hours because I enjoy it. I learn a lot of things from my students. Yıldız Kenter 7
would say “My biggest teachers are my students”, but I didn’t believe it. Yet, it was true. Before lessons, I always study, and the energy I get from them takes us far away. Two poetry concerts I made with my students were on the ITU classical radio. I wish we had more time and we could make one more play with them. Actually they have enormous potential for theater, yet Istanbul is a big city and they have other courses and lessons in terms of time. We are always in Istanbul, but during holidays, they go to their homeland to visit their family they miss. Is there anybody choosing theater as a job after your course? I hope there isn’t. (laughing) I always say that they should have a career, and acting is always there as a hobby because you need acting everywhere. In presentations, job interviews or when they’re a manager to address and impress people. Still, of course, there are people choosing it as a job, but I don’t say his/her name because it can become a bad example. Also, there are people graduating from different departments and then studying at theater. They are crazy. What do you recommend to those who choose this profession? Patience. This job requires this. The first time I went into a Conservatory, Haldun Dormen was teaching directing. He said that acting was an uneven job. It goes up and down. If you have power to resist, keep this job. On the other hand, Mrs. Kenter said that acting only needed someone working harder and harder. beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
However, I don't know, I may be wrong. Time has changed a lot. Nobody wants to work with an actor. Equipped people disturb others. People with proper Turkish articulation are neither on TV nor around us now. Rudeness, vulgarity and naturalness are mixed up. Education is an open sore. I have two kids. Both of them are in education, but education is starting from kindergarten now. We used to sit at home and we grew up on the street. As for the elementary school age, we went to school. Now it isn't like that. Seriously, they start the piano or ballet or language lessons at the age of four or five. If they don't, they remain behind because time is moving so fast. That's why we need to keep pace with the circuit. Times have changed so much. You have to be quick, you have to hurry, and you have to be flexible. If you stay classic, you are really being old-fashioned. Finally, what do you recommend to young people? Patience. Patience. Patience. They are so impatient that they're afraid to breathe. My children, too. I see it around me. They are unhappy and desperate because of asphyxiation. They don't even breathe. However, we need oxygen for thinking, working, and healthy living. This is not a criticism. Big city people are like that. There are so many obstacles. There are things that we need to protect ourselves. Protect your pocket and decorum before boarding the bus. Get off the bus on the way to protect yourself. Will something drop on your head or not? Come and get an education under that stress. Go to school and graduate from school. This 8
metropolitan life makes people crazy. Young people are intolerant because of the hormones. They must obtain a hobby. It could be music, theater or sports. All these consist of rules and rules aren’t anything bad. However, it seems bad to us. Rules are to facilitate a person's life. I like the rules. We stop at red lights because it is important for our lives. Don't be late for your appointment. Without rules there is no life. Think of it like a game. Games are not good without rules. But I'm not talking about pressure. Don't get me wrong. We need discipline. In order to be a good person and a healthy person discipline and patience are required.
Aylin Adsalan Hava Nur YavaĹ&#x;
Photos were taken by Ä°lknur Karaman
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
9
A Closer Look at One Department
I
nformation Systems Engineering is a department that even most of the ITU students don’t know anything about. It is a Dual Diploma Program department and it works together with Binghamton University in the U.S.A. The students who study at this department are required to take 79 points from the TOEFL IBT, or 550 from the TOEFLPBT, or 6.5 from IELTS to study in their faculty. Moreover, the students study their1st and 3rd years at Istanbul Technical University, but the 2nd and 4th years at Binghamton University. Even the SUNY preparation students have had many questions about this program, so we asked some of these questions to Berk Canberk an assistant professor from the Computer & Informatics Faculty. What are the differences between Information Systems Engineering and Computer Engineering? Computer Engineering is more interested in the design of computer systems; it is a department that uses more equipment and software together. Unlike this faculty, Information Systems Engineering is more interested in managerial details rather beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
than engineering details; system designs are not used that much, but the studies which are about the consequences of the systems are used much more. Information Systems Engineering is more interested in people management rather than design and software. The lectures of Information Systems Engineering are more appropriate for those interested in administration. In your opinion, what is the reason for only three universities in Turkey having an Information Systems Engineering department? In Turkey, the graduates of associate degree computer programming generally can find a job as I.T. staff. On the other hand, doing this job as an engineer is a much more qualified way. Actually, most of the universities do not have the adequate infrastructure to have this department. In ITU, Information Systems Engineering students mostly have lessons from the Computer & Informatics Faculty and Management Faculty. What do you think about the reasons why Information Systems Engineering is not a well-known department even at ITU? In our faculty, we introduce the departments equally (Computer Engineering and Information Systems Engineering). So, I’m surprised that it is still not well-known. The students of the department are the ones who can introduce the department way better than anyone else. But they don’t do that so much. It might be because of the difficulty
10
of the department or because they do not belong to ITU, but the U.S.A. In your opinion, what are the differences between being a DDP student and being a normal student? In my opinion, being a DDP student is a huge opportunity, actually our generation didn’t have that chance. Having double diplomas will open many doors in your future, especially for a graduate degree. Furthermore, I don’t believe that university life is just about education. Studying both in Turkey and the U.S.A. will improve your vision very much. The new generation has a desire to earn money as soon as they’ve graduated, but when you graduate, your priorities shouldn’t be about earning money, they should be about improving yourselves, and this program includes so much to do that. If you get 2.70 average from one of these programs, you can study on a graduate degree in Turkey or in another foreign country, and that means you automatically have two chances to do that. By the way, none of our DDP students have faced any difficulties in finding a job.
two diplomas and it will pave your way. We should keep in touch with students to do that, and they should take this seriously. Being an academician in a university, especially in a Technical University is a very difficult and exclusive thing and we should encourage our Information Systems Engineering students to work this way. With this program, we are going to take an Information Systems Engineering diploma from ITU, but the diploma which we are going to take from SUNY Binghamton is Computer Science and Information Systems Engineering. Will that “Computer Science” give us any different skills? Actually not that much, it is just about the lectures’ theories and scientific ideas which are going to be given to you.
Pırıl Okuroğulları
Where can an Information Systems Engineering graduate person work? Informatics is a very huge area and all the sectors need it. Therefore, choosing the private sector is an easy and more guaranteed way to find a job. However, we want to encourage students to stay in university. Being a research assistant or academician is way easier in your department because you’ll already have beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
11
From Taksim Square to Galata: Architecture in Beyoğlu
T
his month, you will commence a trip with Bee Writer on Istiklal Street. We walked on the Street for you in order to show an unknown story about this street’s buildings. Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church We started our journey with this church. Today it is the largest Greek Orthodox church in Istanbul. It is still in use by the Greek community of Istanbul. It has about 150 parishioners. Vasilaki Ionnidi Efendi is the architect of the church. The building was erected in 1880.This is an example of modern architecture combined with Byzantine architecture. The church is located in the district of Beyoğlu, near Taksim Square. This structure will be to your left at the entrance to the Street.
Mısır Apartment This structure is one of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Istanbul. The apartment was built in 1910 by Armenian architect Hovsep Aznavur and commissioned by Khedive of Egypt Abbas II. The building was built as a winter residence for Abbas and was used by him and his family for many years. It is known that many notable residents and proprietors lived in this apartment. Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who is writer of the lyrics to the national anthem of Turkey, stayed and died in the apartment. Arşak Sürenyan, who was the dentist of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and Hüsamettin Cindoruk, a famous politician in Turkey, had an office in this apartment. When we continue on the Street, this building will be on our left.
Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage) Originally, its name was Cité de Péra. The site of Çiçek Pasajı was originally occupied by the Naum Theatre, which was severely damaged by the Fire of Pera in 1870. The beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
12
theatre was frequently visited by Sultans Abdülaziz and Abdülhamid II, and hosted Giuseppe Verdi's play Il Trovatore which is his most well-known composition. After the fire, the theatre was purchased by the local Greek banker Hristaki Zoğrafos Efendi, and architect Kleanthis Zannos designed the current building. In 1908, Mehmet Sait Pasha purchased the building, and it became known as the Sait Paşa Pasajı. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, many impoverished noble Russian women sold flowers here. By the 1940s the building was mostly occupied by flower shops; hence, the present Turkish name is Çiçek Pasajı. Today it houses only pubs and restaurants.
the building was J. Botter who was the official tailor of the imperial palace, and Abdülhamid II wanted to build it in order for him to have a place to live with his family and work. It is known that this apartment is the country’s first fashion house. It is listed as a historical building of the 1st degree. The building is located in Asmalımescit district of Beyoglu, Istanbul.
The Camondo Steps
Botter Apartment Botter Apartment is the first example of the Art Nouveau movement in Istanbul. In 1900 the building was designed by the Italian architect D’Aranco who was the chief architect of the palace. The owner of beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
It is the only example built with baroque and art nouveau style on behalf the Camondo family. The Camondo Steps were built between 1870 and1880 by Abraham Salamon Camondo. It is located on Bankalar Street in the Galata area. The Camondo family was a prominent European family of Jewish financiers. They invested heavily in the
13
modernization of Istanbul. They were the pioneers for significant investment in urbanism, architecture and culture.
We walked for you on the Istiklal Street this month so that you can discover Istanbul’s mystery and attractive buildings. We walked, visited and saw. It’s your turn now. Finally, I want to say that we always read and learn something about Istanbul. However, please don’t forget the best knowledge is acquired with a trip, so you should visit and see these places for yourself. İlkay Dilan Taşkireç
Photos were taken by İlkay Dilan Taşkireç
References: https://iremverdon.wordpress.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Triada_Greek_Ortho dox_Church,_Istanbul https://eksisozluk.com/raimondo-daronco--201987 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%B1s%C4%B1r_Apar tment
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
14
April 23: Ataturk & National Sovereignty and Children's Day
There are two Mustafa Kemals; one is flesh-and-bone Mustafa Kemal who now stands before you and will pass away. The other one is you, all of you who will go to the far corners of our land to spread the ideals which must be defended with your lives if necessary. I stand for the nation's dreams, and my life's work is to make them come true.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
I
magine that there is a man who has thought about doing something to save the country since his high school years; a man at the age when a great majority of people start to go out from their parent’s boundaries and who is the leader of his friends with leadership features.
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
He made several innovations which could not be achieved by others in nearly ten decades. However, he could do it in a decade due to his long-sightedness and his accumulation of knowledge gained from numerous books which he read. With ‘’peace at home, peace in the world’’, he showed that he cared about peace so much. The great man who we can understand cared about the improvement of Turkey so much with ‘’Our great ideal is to raise our nation to the highest standards of civilization and prosperity.‘’
A man who never attributed his achievements to himself and always praised Turks to the skies… Education and science was so important for him. We owe the terms of geometry used now to him.
A man who deserves the most respect, love and loyalty provided women with enfranchisement before all of European countries achieved it.
15
Children and adults were so valuable for Ataturk. He trusted them to save democracy in Turkey which was established thanks to Atatürk’s farsightedness and a great majority of Turkish people’s lives. Leaders from several different countries had their deep sadness published in newspapers for the death of the great man who made the earth cry when he died. Actually, he never died and will not die for Turkish people.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk cared about children so much. They would be the adults in future for him. He could not praise children enough with his eternal love of children.
After the part of war which had been won with guns had ended, the important part started; to overcome the damages caused beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
16
by the war. He decided that an assembly had to be established to be carried out in an orderly manner. The establishment of the assembly was the first time sovereignty was given to the public. Thus, it was decided to celebrate April 23rdas the day of national sovereignty by the law accepted in the second year of the proclamation of the republic.
The first time children’s day took place in 1927, it was celebrated with a variety of festivals. The President provided one of the cars for children during the festivals. The choir of the presidency gave a concert for this day.
The starting point of Children’s Day was to increase the amount of donations from society for the protection of orphan children. On April 23rd and the following week, they increased their work about children. People were encouraged to donate with the headlines published in the official gazette on April 23, 1924 which is ‘’TODAY IS CHILDREN’S ROSETTE DAY‘’ and on April 23, 1926 ‘’APRIL 23 IS THE DAY OF CHILDREN’’.
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
In the heart of Turks April 23rd is the strongest term for Turkish freedom provided by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. This day was celebrated with children from six countries the first time in 1979.Every year, 40 countries on average have been participating in these festivals.
17
Çağrı Özsan References: http://goo.gl/Ubgnz http://goo.gl/BwnJ0y http://goo.gl/cVAv1i
Photos were taken from the following websites: http://goo.gl/7eto3V http://goo.gl/3I5SOZ http://goo.gl/xjZeaM http://goo.gl/rZn8JY http://goo.gl/NrW8Ch http://goo.gl/yTZ30w http://goo.gl/RP6RHZ http://goo.gl/y3AV5C http://goo.gl/ozqhO5 http://goo.gl/54J2OH http://goo.gl/IBtxLs
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
18
The Car Which Can Save the Planet: ARUNA
I
t all began in 2004. The Electrical Engineering Department of ITU established a wonderful team: the ITU Solar Car Team and they started to build their first solar car named as ARIBA I (ARIBA means Bee-Car in English because “bee” represents ITU’s hard work with its hard-working lifestyle.).With ARIBA I, they competed in TUBITAK Formula G 2005.
Unfortunately, ARIBA I was not able to finish the competition due to some technical problems. However, the team had learnt from their failures, and they fixed ARIBA I; also, they built another solar car, named ARIBA II, and they competed in TUBITAK Formula G 2006. ARIBA I finished first, and ARIBA II was the second car of the competition.
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
After this accomplishment, the team decided to build a solar car which can go faster, so they tried to decrease its weight, and they started to build ARIBA III. In 2007, ARIBA III became the champion of TUBITAK Formula G 2007, and ARIBA II finished second.
However, the team kept working hard, and managed to save their title in TUBITAK Formula G 2008. With these accomplishments and experience, the team decided to join worldwide competitions. Hence, they started to build a new solar car for the World Solar Challenge 2009, so they built ARIBA IV which made Turkey the Best New Participant in the World Solar Challenge 2009. Furthermore, ARIBA IV finished the competition in 16th. 19
However, that was not enough for the ITU Solar Car Team, so they decided to join this competition again after building ARIBA V to get better results from the World Solar Challenge 2011. Due to some logistical problems, they could not compete in the World Solar Challenge 2011, but they wanted to test ARIBA V, so they competed in TUBITAK Formula G 2012, and finished third.
In 2013, they finished sixteenth with ARIBA VI, which is the fastest solar car (141km/h) this team has built so far.
In the World Solar Challenge, and their final score with ARIBA VII is second place in TUBITAK Formula G 2014.
After all those challenging competitions and a great deal of effort, the ITU Solar Car Team wanted to build a car which would have benefits to both the environment and people as well as to the team. Therefore, they built ARUNA which is a personification of the reddish glow of the rising sun and the chariot which is pulled by seven horses in Hindu mythology. Also, ARUNA is designed for families, so it has four-seat capacity.
Another reason why this team designed ARUNA is to support domestic car production, and show people that there beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
20
are alternative energies besides oil, and they can be used in daily life. By the end of April 2015, the car is expected to be finished. It’s also expected to be completed in June, and be opened for public use in July. Moreover, Burak Oklar, the leader of this amazing team, said that ARUNA will probably compete in the World Solar Challenge 2015. Besides its accumulator, which stores solar energy, ARUNA has some other significant features such as a parking sensor, touch screen, heads-up display, and cruise control. One of the best benefits of ARUNA is that it will be able to travel 500 kilometers(310.7 miles) at approximately 70 kilometers per hour with a single tank of solar energy, and that energy costs only 5TL ($ 1.94).
Basically, ARUNA needs 0.01TL per kilometer. Moreover, the special break system will be able to cut this cost to 0.008TL per kilometer, and the best benefit of ARUNA is that it can save the planet by decreasing the amount of greenhouse gases which are the main reason of global warming. We all hope people will soon understand that ARUNA is a way to leave a healthy planet for their grand-children to live.
We also conducted an interview with the team leader Burak Oklar. What should be the qualifications of a person who wants to join the ITU Solar Car Team? The ITU Solar Car Team includes four main groups: electrical, mechanical, compositeproduction, and organization. To join the first three main groups: firstly, applications are opened at the beginning of the year, and applicants should complete the application form which they can find on our webpage. Secondly, appropriate applicants are called to an interview. After that, they begin a test process for 2 months. At the end of this test process, if they and the team still want to work on this job together, they become a member. However, to join the organization team, the applicants are expected to create good relationships with people.
On your webpage, your team wrote that you couldn’t join the World Solar Challenge 2011 due to some logistical problems. Can you explain what those problems were?
We continue our work with the support of our sponsors like every student project group. In 2011 WSC, we couldn’t get trustworthy sponsors; they did not keep their promises. Therefore, we couldn’t afford expenses, so our team -forciblymade a decision: not to join WSC 2011.
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
21
What kind of work are you doing for people to select solar cars instead of normal cars? ITU SCT, especially with the ARIBA brand which they created 10 years ago, is a wellknown team. We are making presentations for people to understand solar cars, and be aware of the power underlying this technology. For ARUNA, we will take a tour around Turkey on August 10th. To finish this tour, ARUNA will have to take a 6000 km road. With this presentation, we want our people to see there are alternative energies, and solar cars can be used by families. Hence, people probably will see solar cars as more alluring.
What do you think about opening a department of solar energies? I think it is more logical to open a department related to renewable energies than just solar energies. There are lots of examples in international universities. However, I think Turkish people’s point of view about solar energies is not so affirmative yet. Even though it might be the only limitless energy, our people have not able to see that for now. To make people aware of the power of that energy, there should be lectures about renewable energies even in elementary schools.
Efser Özer Utku Ertuğral
How much time do you think it will take for most people to use solar cars instead of normal cars?
Photos were taken from http://www.itugae.com
The battery’s capacity is playing the main role about that problem. For example, Tesla S P85 is used by many people in the USA due to its 500 km battery-range, so if the battery and the solar technology develop, and make the price lower, people will start to use solar cars. Aruna can travel at 50 km/h with only the energy taken from sun, but if you want to travel at higher speeds, you will need a battery’s power. Also, if the solar panels could generate more energy, this speed problem would be solved easily. However, even though we are not sure when solar cars will be used by most people; we can say the future of cars lies in solar technology.
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
22
Did Someone Say Dance?
E
verybody may have an intensive school or business life, things to do and situations that go wrong. Our lives which might be monotone and boring absolutely tire us mentally and physically with their difficulties. At this point, it is possible to relax, add color to life and look at it through a positive window with dance.
Dance, as a definition, is an art which allows expressing feelings with body movements accompanied by music. Dance was born before all the civilizations; people danced before they explained their feelings verbally.
Dance, which runs your brain by expressing steps with numbers to harmonize your steps and rhythm with the music, is very helpful in various ways according to the research conducted in America and Europe. Some of the benefits can be listed as: beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
You will leave your body free and discover it again.
Your creativity ability will increase. You will discover your expressing ability in types of dances such as Latin and African which allow you to improvise.
You will have a strong heart and liver.
Your flexibility will increase.
You will gain agility.
Your coordination will improve.
Your confidence will improve.
Your body will secrete endorphins known as happiness hormone, and you will feel happier.
You will socialize and have new friendships.
Your hormones will disperse in a balanced way.
At the same time, you will feel more dynamic when your bones get strong. Your heart will have more oxygen and your body will regenerate.
Your organs and muscles learn to work in coordination with these physical exercises. Therefore, you will stay young and vigorous and prolong your life. Moreover, dance therapies are practiced with paralyzed people to gain mobility again as a rehabilitation method. 23
Another proven benefit of dancing is that it provides your brain the ability to work faster. While music signals to run your muscles, the brain understands the commands in a shorter time. Hence, experts say that old people can challenge forgetfulness that is the most significant sign of aging.
team can be diamonds, diagonals, circles and lines.
squares,
Latin formation is a medley of dances that includes5 international Latin dances: Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble and Samba.
We talked about many benefits of dancing for people. Well, let’s move on to see what ITU does about dance.
The ITU Dance team, whose dance instructor is Murat Çoruh, had a dance show on 8th May 2015 on the main stage ofthe ITU Fest concert area with its intensive and enjoyable practices. I’m very happy because I had a chance to be a part of this show as a member of the ITU Latin Formation Dance Team. However, what is this ‘Latin Formation?’ Let’s talk about it.
Formation is a style in which couples dance in a certain harmony and orderly way. The choreography may be based on a particular dance or a medley of dances, and the shape (also known as patterns or images) which couples form in a formation beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
24
Of course, it is not possible to visualize the dance by explaining it like this, so we would like to see you, dear readers, at one of our shows. Finally, I want to share a photo of us.
Yağmur İşeri
References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_dance http://www.danskurslari.com.tr/dans-etmenin-sagligafaydalari/ http://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dans http://sabahyildiziii.blogcu.com/dans-nedir-dans-tarihicesitleri/4944170 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSScp7AONwI Phtos were taken from: http://goo.gl/Iqzcd4 http://www.dancesportindia.com/classes/jive-class
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
25
Contact
website: www.writing.itu.edu.tr
email: writing@itu.edu.tr
twitter.com/writingitu
facebook.com/ituwritingcentre
4sq.com/18DCBcx
beewriter ITU Writing Center Student Magazine
26