PRESS RELEASE
Young People Create Solutions for a Better Future through İMECE, Artificial Intelligence and Quality
For more than 23 years, the International ICT Seagulls Projects have brought young people together to explore real-life problems, conduct research, collaborate and develop meaningful solutions.
In 2026, students from different educational levels once again came together around technology, creativity, quality, collaboration and social responsibility.
Launched in 2004, the International ICT Seagulls Projects / Bilişimci Martılar Projects have evolved into an international learning and project-development platform involving students and educators from Türkiye and other countries.
At the heart of the project is İMECE – Collaborative Learning Circles, developed by Prof. Dr. Hayal Köksal.
The guiding principle of İMECE is:
“Compete with Yourself, Collaborate with Others.”
Through this approach, students do more than prepare a project. They think together, share responsibilities, conduct research, use quality tools, learn from one another and consider the potential human and social impact of the solutions they develop.
In 2026, particular emphasis was placed on ethical and human-centred uses of artificial intelligence, environmental awareness, physics education, the future of professional education and young people’s social responsibility.
INTERNATIONAL PROJECT CATEGORY
ALGERIA – AI & PHYSICS EDUCATION
National Higher School of Autonomous Systems Technology (NHSAST), Sidi Abdellah University Campus, Algiers / Kasdi Merbah University of Ouargla, Algeria
The Algerian team focused on the use of low-cost technological platforms in fundamental physics education, enhanced by artificial intelligence.
The project aims to move beyond purely theoretical learning by enabling students to conduct hands-on experiments using affordable experimental platforms and to analyse and interpret experimental data with the support of AI techniques.
The project focuses on:
- designing low-cost experimental platforms,
- integrating AI into data processing,
- interpreting experimental results,
- combining hands-on physics education with AI-supported analysis.
Leading Seagulls Circle: Asmaa Zidane, Anwer Tobbeche and Siradj Allali
Advisors: Prof. Dr. Slimane Kerrouchi and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tarek Cherifi
Support: Prof. Dr. Adnane Mourad
🏆 BEST INTERNATIONAL PROJECT AWARD
The Algerian project received the Best International Project Award for its approach to combining hands-on physics education, low-cost technology and artificial intelligence.
Project Web/PPT: https://www.slideshare.net/secret/kJ4Q7LgN1lKdpW
🇹K-12 SCHOOLS CATEGORY
YAŞAR DOĞU PRIMARY SCHOOL – ISTANBUL
LITTLE WASTE HUNTERS
First-grade students at Yaşar Doğu Primary School developed the “Little Waste Hunters” project to build awareness of environmental protection and waste separation from an early age.
The project is connected with sustainable development and climate action and aims to help children develop environmental awareness while they are still at the beginning of their literacy journey.
The students used the PDCA cycle, Web 2.0 tools, Wordwall, Canva, QR codes, gamification and family participation through the İMECE approach.
“SORT YOUR WASTE, CARE FOR THE WORLD!”
K-12 ICT Seagulls, Little Environment Team:
Mehmet Akif Karagöz (Student Leader), Ahsen İlhan, Ömer Kartal Turgut, Ahmet Arif Demir, Ela Solmazoğlu, Kadir Aras Sarı, Hande Merve Kaynar, M. Barış Tulgar – Kameraman, Elif Sena Yusufoğlu, Münteara Sabancılar
Class Teacher: Ömer Durmaz
School Principal: Gülnaz Tekin
Supporting Institutions: Yaşar Doğu Primary School and Kağıthane Municipality
🏆 BEST PRIMARY SCHOOL PROJECT AWARD
The project received the Best Primary School Project Award for promoting environmental awareness from an early age, encouraging active student participation and involving families through an İMECE-based approach.
Project Web/PPT: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/little-waste-hunters-transforming-waste-into-educational-games-and-art/288401084
TURKISH UNIVERSITIES CATEGORY
ISTANBUL KENT UNIVERSITY – FACULTY OF PHARMACY
EDUCATING ETHICAL AND CONTEMPORARY PHARMACISTS
Initiated by the Faculty of Pharmacy at Istanbul Kent University, this project aims to develop a long-term model for educating ethical, contemporary, technology-literate pharmacists who are prepared for the needs of the future.
Planned as a two-year project, it will begin at Istanbul Kent University and aims to involve pharmacy faculties from all seven geographical regions of Türkiye before expanding toward international collaboration with universities in countries such as Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Another important goal is to establish a new pharmacy-based student club, supporting young pharmacy students not only in their professional development but also in ethical awareness and social responsibility.
Dean: Prof. Dr. Esra Tatar
Advisor: Dr. Oğuzhan Aydemir
Leading Seagulls Circle Members: Beyen Kahya (Student Leader), Cavidan Nehir Kemik, Hatice Kübra Hanoğlu, Muhammed Emir Billurcu, İpek Öztemiz and Alya Kaya.
Support: Research Assistants Aleyna Çavdar
Supporting Institutions: Faculty of Pharmacy Dean’s Office and Farmakent Pharmacy Club
🏆 LEADING SEAGULLS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PROJECT PLANNING
As a first-year project designed as a two-year development process, the project received this award for its scope, forward-looking vision, national and international expansion goals and strong project-planning foundation.
Project Web/PPT: https://www.slideshare.net/secret/1gv3xgrS1IzjGi
COMMUNITY SEAGULLS CATEGORY
ÇYDD YOUTH GROUP
CONTEMPORARY SEAGULLS
The “Contemporary Seagulls” project, developed by the Youth Group of the Association for Supporting Contemporary Life (ÇYDD), approaches AI literacy not merely as a technological skill, but through the dimensions of ethics, human development, values and social responsibility.
The project explores the future role of artificial intelligence in institutions and society and aims to help young people become not only users of this transformation but also conscious and responsible participants in it.
Advisors: Prof. Dr. Ayşe Yüksel, Attorney Ali Gürbüz
Community Seagulls Circle Members: Başar Kılıçkıran, Mert Sözen, E. Sabriye Yıldız, Meryem Kır, Ezgi Yüce, Asya Karasu and Nehir G. Kayhan
Supporting Organisation: ÇYDD Headquarters
🏆 BEST NGO / CIVIL SOCIETY PROJECT AWARD
The project received the Best NGO / Civil Society Project Award for connecting youth engagement and civil society with AI literacy while addressing the ethical and social responsibilities of young people in the age of artificial intelligence.
Project Web/PPT: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/ict-seagulls-english-a-systematic-journey-to-digital-horizons-2303/288324091
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR INTERNATIONAL JURY
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the international jury members who generously contributed their time, expertise and experience to the evaluation of the 2026 projects:
Prof. Dr. Syed Ali – USA, Dr. Vineeta Kamran – India
Prof. Dr. Metin Toprak & Prof. Dr. Gonca Telli Yamamoto – Türkiye
Our distinguished jury members evaluated the projects not only in terms of their outcomes, but also concerning the learning process, creativity, collaboration, feasibility, social impact, ethical approach and potential for further development.
Their constructive feedback and careful attention to the unique circumstances of each project reflected the very spirit of İMECE.
We sincerely thank them for the time, knowledge and human insight they shared with our young participants and for their valuable contribution to the 2026 International ICT Seagulls Projects.
AN İMECE BEYOND BORDERS
The 2026 projects once again reminded us that technology alone is not enough.
What matters is using technology for people, quality for creating value, and artificial intelligence to strengthen human intelligence and collective learning.
The guiding philosophy of the International ICT Seagulls Projects:
“Compete with Yourself, Collaborate with Others.”
has never been more meaningful.
The educational, environmental, technological, social and peace-related challenges facing our world cannot be solved by one individual, institution or country alone.
Young people who learn, create and share through İMECE are becoming co-creators of a more qualitative, equitable, peaceful and human-dignity-centred future.
We warmly congratulate and thank all our students, teachers, academics, institutions, families and international jury members who contributed to the 2026 International ICT Seagulls Projects.
We look forward to meeting again in new İMECE circles in the coming year with 3 themes, supported by AI. The registration starts on 1st October 2026:
- AI & CLIMATE ACTION: FROM IDEAS TO IMPACT: Using Artificial Intelligence and
Collective Action to Address Local Climate Challenges
2. Technology, Empowerment & NEXGEN LEADERSHIP. HOW TO USE AI in YOUR FIELD ETHICALLY?
3. AI FOR HER: Preventing Violence, Empowering Women
With peace, love and İMECE…
Prof. Dr. Hayal Köksal
Istanbul Kent University
WCTQEE Türkiye, Director General
Founding President, YİMEDER
General Coordinator, International ICT Seagulls Projects ENGLISH
[email protected] [email protected]
Project: www.bilisimcimartilar.com/English
WCTQEE Türkiye: www.hayalkoksal.com
YİMEDER: www.yimeder.org.tr