A team from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKU) placed among the top five in the EFES-2026 Defense Science and Technology Project Competition, held in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defence, Dokuz Eylül University, and the Aegean Army Command.
 
A team of Software Engineering students from  MSKÜ achieved a top-five national ranking at the EFES-2026 Defense Science and Technology Project Competition, competing against 392 teams from across Türkiye.
The team—Bora İlkdoğanlar, Can Deniz Öztürk, and Hüseyin Yusuf Hocaoğlu—worked under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selim Yılmaz. The competition was held during the EFES-2026 Military Exercise and Defense Industry Exhibition in Seferihisar between 14 and 21 May 2026.
As finalists, the students attended the award ceremony alongside senior state officials and military leaders, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler. Bora İlkdoğanlar received his award from General İrfan Özsert, Commander of the Aegean Army and Garrison, while Can Deniz Öztürk was presented with his award by Prof. Dr. Bayram Yılmaz, Rector of Dokuz Eylül University.
The team is currently conducting research on AI-powered hybrid air defense systems and simulation-based UAV detection and tracking technologies. They are now preparing to represent MSKÜ at the TEKNOFEST 2026 Steel Dome Air Defense Systems Competition, where they aim to further develop indigenous engineering solutions for Türkiye's defense technologies.