Mechatronics

    The word mechatronics was first coined by a senior engineer of a Japanese company; Yaskawa, in 1969, as a combination of "mecha" of mechanisms and "tronics" of electronics and the company was granted the trademark rights on the word in 1971 [1-2]. The word soon received broad acceptance in industry and, in order to allow its free use, Yaskawa elected to abandon its rights on the word in 1982 [3]. The word has taken a wider meaning since then and is now widely being used as a technical jargon to describe a philosophy in engineering technology, more than the technology itself. For this wider concept of mechatronics, a number of definitions has been proposed in the literature, differing in the particular characteristics that the definition is intended to emphasize. The most commonly used one emphasizes synergy: Mechatronics is the synergistic integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent computer control in the design and manufacture of products and processes.

  UNESCO has initiated this programme for the promotion of international intellectual cooperation involving the establishement of International University Chairs. These are sponsored by UNESCO, in close cooperation with universities and with the support of various organizations, institutions and funding agencies. The chairs are created in the fields of education, science, culture and communication at higher education institutions in all regions of the world, initially in the developing countries.

  The broad aim of the UNESCO Chairs Scheme, in keeping with the Constitution of the Organization, is to foster the advancement of science and the transfer of knowledge by facilitating access worldwide to the expertise of outstanding specialists in important disciplines. 

UNESCO Chair on Mechatronics

    UNESCO chair on mechatronics at Bogazici University was approved by UNESCO Headquarters during November 1993. The objectives of this initiative are

• to promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation activities in the field of mechatronics. 
• to evolve as a center of excellence in the field of mechatronics for training and development of high-level human resources at regional levels. 

The Laboratory

  The activities of the chair is supported by a recently established "Mechatronics Research and Application Center". The director of the center and the holder of the UNESCO chair is Prof. Okyay Kaynak. For a description of the recent Activities of the Chair and the Center please click here.