Marine Innovation Project: A team of Doğuş University students gained national attention for developing a “Sea Surface Cleaning Vehicle.” This remote-controlled device skims trash from the water’s surface and was designed after students observed pollution in Istanbul’s harbors. The prototype can clean up to 86 m² of surface water per hour and store 50 liters of waste (dogus.edu.tr dogus.edu.tr), using an electric motor to avoid emissions. This project demonstrates how DOU’s innovators are tackling marine pollution – one of SDG 14’s key targets – through technology and creativity. 

Education on Marine Conservation: Istanbul’s identity is tied to the Bosphorus and surrounding seas, and DOU integrates this context into learning. The university offers elective courses in Environmental Science that cover marine ecosystems and the impact of pollution on them. Student clubs have organized webinars with marine biologists and NGOs like TURMEPA (Marine Clean Association) to educate peers on protecting oceans and preventing litter. These educational efforts raise awareness of life below water and inspire students to support ocean conservation initiatives. 

Reducing Plastic Pollution: On campus, efforts to reduce single-use plastics contribute indirectly to healthier oceans. DOU has eliminated plastic straws and significantly cut down on plastic bottle usage by installing water refill stations. Beach clean-up events are occasionally organized by volunteer groups from the university, often in partnership with local environmental organizations. By removing trash from coastlines and reducing plastic waste at the source, the university community helps prevent debris from reaching marine environments, in line with Goal 14’s pollution reduction target. 

Research and Projects Highlights: 

• Student Innovation Project: Sea Surface Cleaning Vehicle – A team of DOU engineering students designed a remote-controlled device to collect floating trash from Istanbul’s harbors. The prototype can clean ~86 m² of water surface per hour, using an electric motor and net system to capture plastics. This project, recognized nationally in 2024, demonstrates practical innovation for ocean cleanup. It aligns with SDG 14 by tackling marine pollution and has inspired further research in the university on scalable cleanup technologies.

• Marine Biology Engagement: Doğuş University has also contributed to marine science via collaborations. In 2023, DOU hosted a panel with TURMEPA (Marine Clean Association) and university researchers to share data on the Marmara Sea’s water quality and biodiversity status. Outcomes included a joint report highlighting critical pollution sources and recommended policy measures. Such knowledge-sharing initiatives, while not academic papers, are rooted in research and feed into conservation actions, advancing SDG 14’s goals of informed policy and community awareness for oceans. 

• Selected Sample Publications: 

  • Marine Environment Research: “Hydrodynamic and Morphological Effects of Non-Powered Floating Objects on Sediment Resuspension: A CFD and Regression Analysis” (2025) – N. Gedik, O. Bora, M.S. Kabdaşlı, E. İrtem. This engineering study examined how floating debris (like marine litter or buoys) stirs up sediments in water bodies. The findings help in understanding and mitigating coastal erosion and pollution effects. By revealing how trash can disturb ecosystems, it supports SDG 14’s aim to reduce marine pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems.