Prof. Dr. Baki Koyuncu
Prof. Dr. Baki Koyuncu (1950–2021) was a distinguished scholar and engineer with over 40 years of experience in teaching and academic leadership. He earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Electronic Engineering from the University of Birmingham in 1973 and 1974, respectively, and received his Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering from Loughborough University in 1981.
Throughout his four-decade career, Prof. Koyuncu held prominent academic positions at numerous universities in Turkey and abroad. He served as a department chair of Computer Engineering at several institutions and was the founding chair of the Computer Engineering department at Ankara University. He also served as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Final International University in North Cyprus. His international contributions included leading a NATO-sponsored initiative (2008–2011) to establish the Computer Engineering Faculty at Kabul Polytechnic University in Afghanistan, helping to expand engineering education in that region.
Prof. Koyuncu was an active leader in the engineering community worldwide. In 2017, he spearheaded the organization of the IEEE 9th International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Communication Networks (CICN 2017) in Cyprus, serving as the General Chair of the conference. He was a Senior Member of IEEE and held prestigious professional qualifications including Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.) status in the UK. He was also a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) in the UK, among other affiliations.
A prolific researcher, Prof. Koyuncu published extensively in areas such as image processing, wireless sensor networks, and robotics. He authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and international conference proceedings, contributing new insights from laser-based imaging techniques to modern sensor network applications. He additionally served on editorial boards and conference committees, including as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Engineering and Technology and as an editor for several other scientific journals. He also received multiple honors throughout his career, including TÜBİTAK research project awards in 2004 and 2005, and was recognized as the Engineering Faculty’s Outstanding Instructor in 2005 and 2006.
Above all, Prof. Koyuncu was a dedicated educator and mentor. He maintained close relationships with his students long after their graduation, providing guidance and support in their careers. Known for his warmth and approachability, he left a lasting impact on colleagues and students alike. Prof. Dr. Baki Koyuncu passed away on August 4, 2021, while serving as a faculty member at Altınbaş University’s Faculty of Engineering and Architecture in Istanbul. He leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to education.