The project, led by Assoc . Prof. Dr. Utku Sakız , a faculty member of the Mining Engineering Department of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) , was deemed worthy of support by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey ( TÜBİTAK ) within the scope of the 3501 Career Development Program.

The project titled “Investigation of the Thermal Effect Dependent on Coal Combustion Temperature on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Coal Surrounding Rocks: Zonguldak Hard Coal Basin Example” aims to analyze the thermal behavior of sandstone samples obtained from within the borders of Zonguldak Hard Coal Basin in detail. In this context, the project is expected to produce important findings that will shed light on the geological conditions specific to the region and contribute to the development of safer and more efficient methods in the field of mining.

In the project, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Utku Sakız will be accompanied by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özarslan (advisor) and Assist. Prof. Candan Bilen from the Department of Mining Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülhan Ustabaş Kaya from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Beytullah Erdoğan from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In the project, which includes an interdisciplinary academic team, researchers will carry out the project by presenting a holistic approach in both earth sciences and engineering.

Making a statement on the subject, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer emphasized that the project is very valuable both academically and in terms of industry and the city, and included the following expressions in his words:

“Our academics continue to put forward valuable projects that strengthen the research culture of our University, contribute to the industrial and energy sectors of our region, and also provide scientific solutions to the problems in the industrial sector of our city with confident steps. I hope that this project, which is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Utku Sakız and has been awarded support by TÜBİTAK, will make significant contributions to the mining and engineering fields in a region of strategic importance for Turkey, such as the Zonguldak Hard Coal Basin. The fact that the project will provide a basis for both academic productivity and industrial applications is an indication of the qualified research vision we aim for as a university.

With these feelings and thoughts, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and the YÖK family, who have always supported us in taking our country's academic institutions to the best, and to the President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın and the TÜBİTAK family for their valuable encouragement of our scientific studies. In addition, I congratulate Assoc. Prof. Dr. Utku Sakız, who undertook the execution of the project that was entitled to be supported within the scope of TÜBİTAK 3501, and all the professors who took part in the project, and wish them continued success.

Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University continues to strengthen its strong position in Türkiye's science and technology ecosystem with its important research that increases scientific production, encourages interdisciplinary studies and directly contributes to regional development.