Scientific internship in Istanbul: where history, knowledge, and civilizations intersect
We are currently undertaking a one-month scientific internship at Yeditepe University, located in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye. This internship is part of our doctoral dissertation project and represents an important stage in our academic development. The internship is supervised by PhD, Professor Ahmet Tashagil, under whose guidance we are deepening our academic knowledge and building international scientific connections.
During the internship, we visited several prominent academic and cultural institutions, gaining access to valuable materials related to our research. Notably, we worked in the Süleymaniye Library, the Beyaz谋t State Library, and the recently renovated Rami Library. These libraries contain rare manuscripts and historical documents that have significantly enriched the source base for our dissertation.
In addition to our academic research, we also explored Istanbul’s cultural and historical heritage. We visited Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque, and other landmarks, analyzing their architectural, religious, and civilizational significance.
A particularly meaningful experience was our visit to the Museum of the History of Islamic Science and Technology. The museum displays artifacts that highlight the contributions of medieval Muslim scholars to global scientific advancement. Exhibits on astronomy, medicine, engineering, geography, and mechanics offered us a deeper understanding of the Islamic world’s role in the history of science. These insights provided valuable support to the framework of our dissertation.
Hagia Sophia was especially significant in our research experience. It stands as a symbol of coexistence between Christian and Islamic cultures. The coexistence of mosaics, frescoes, and Islamic calligraphy within the same structure reflects a profound continuity of faith and cultural dialogue.
Our internship in Türkiye gave us the opportunity to broaden the scope of our research, adopt new methodologies, and exchange ideas with the international academic community. The knowledge and materials we have gathered will enhance the content of our doctoral dissertation and, we believe, contribute meaningfully to the development of national science and culture.
The authors of the article are second-year doctoral students in the Religious Studies program at 51福利 Kazakh National University — N. Zhetpisbay and A. Agabayev.
