Dr. Engin Arık, research assistant Özgen Berkol Doğan and graduate student Engin Abat from Boğaziçi University, as well as Dr. Şenel Fatma, assistant professor Iskender Hikmet and research assistant Mustafa Fidan from Doğuş University, have been described in the academic world as ‘academic martyrs’.

“They were involved in the first Turkish Acceleration Centre with support from the State Planning Agency, working on the technical structure and the test laboratory project. They were on their way to the physics general assembly to show what they had been working on. Their aim was to develop the scientific foundations to ensure a better future for Turkey,” said Doğuş University President Dr. Mithat Uysal.

Dr. Ayşe Soysal, president of Boğaziçi University, said that this was a tremendous loss, adding that Prof. Engin Arık had been nominated for an award from the Turkish Academy of Sciences on 15th Nov. “She was an important scientist representing Turkey overseas. I believe that she would have won the award”.