Department

About the Department

Established in 2026, the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering builds on Hacettepe University’s pioneering experience in artificial intelligence education, which began with the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Engineering undergraduate program in 2019.

General information

The Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering was established in 2026 within the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences. The department brings together artificial intelligence, data engineering, and computer science within an integrated educational and research framework.

Although the department is newly established, its academic foundations reflect several years of experience in artificial intelligence education, curriculum development, student supervision, and research. Its academic staff contribute expertise in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics and control, data science, and interdisciplinary applications of artificial intelligence.

From a pioneering program to a new department

Hacettepe University began offering undergraduate education in this field in 2019 through the Artificial Intelligence Engineering program within the Faculty of Engineering. It was the first undergraduate program established under this name at a public university in Türkiye.

2019

Launch of the Artificial Intelligence Engineering undergraduate program within the Faculty of Engineering.

2026

Establishment of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering within the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences.

The program created an early institutional foundation for specialized education in artificial intelligence and enabled the development of an experienced academic community, a dedicated curriculum, laboratory-based teaching practices, and research opportunities for undergraduate students.

In 2026, the establishment of the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences and the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering provided a new academic structure for this accumulated experience. The new department extends the earlier focus on artificial intelligence by placing data engineering, scalable computing, and the full lifecycle of intelligent systems at the center of its educational mission.

Department administration

The department is administered by the Department Chair and two Vice Chairs, who coordinate its academic, educational, and administrative activities.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Erkut Erdem

Department Chair

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Erkut Erdem

View academic staff →
Prof. Dr. Nazlı İkizler Cinbiş

Vice Chair

Prof. Dr. Nazlı İkizler Cinbiş

View academic staff →
Asst. Prof. Dr. Özgür Erkent

Vice Chair

Asst. Prof. Dr. Özgür Erkent

View academic staff →

Mission

To educate engineers and researchers who possess strong scientific and computational foundations; can design, implement, evaluate, and improve intelligent and data-intensive systems; and can contribute responsibly to science, industry, and society.

Vision

To become a nationally leading and internationally recognized department through high-quality education, influential research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and graduates who contribute to the development of trustworthy AI and data technologies.

Academic principles

  • Strong foundations in mathematics, computing, and engineering
  • Integration of artificial intelligence and data engineering
  • Coordination between theory, laboratory work, and project-based learning
  • Research-oriented, reproducible, and ethically informed practice
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with real-world problems
  • Continuous curriculum development in response to scientific and technological change