Dr. Murat Saran

Dr. Murat Saran

Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Director, Distance Education Application & Research Center (UZEM)
Çankaya University, Ankara, Türkiye
Office: Room L-220, Faculty of Engineering, Central Campus Phone: +90 312 233 1341 Email: saran@cankaya.edu.tr Education: B.S., M.S., and Ph.D., Middle East Technical University (METU / ODTÜ)

Publications 22 Works & 1 Patent
Articles in International & National Refereed Journals
Federated aggregation strategies for credit card fraud detection under differential privacy
Murat Saran, Abdül Kadir Görür
Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, 2026. DOI: 10.65206/pajes.1949869
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2026federated,
  title   = {Federated aggregation strategies for credit card fraud detection under differential privacy},
  author  = {Saran, Murat and G{\"o}r{\"u}r, Abd{\"u}l Kadir},
  journal = {Pamukkale {\"U}niversitesi M{\"u}hendislik Bilimleri Dergisi},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.65206/pajes.1949869}
}
Management Errors Associated with Failure in IT Projects: Survey Evidence and Recommendations for Project Managers
Ahmet Cemal Korkmaz, Murat Saran
Cankaya University Journal of Science and Engineering, 23(1), 73-78, 2026.
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{korkmaz2026management,
  title   = {Management Errors Associated with Failure in IT Projects: Survey Evidence and Recommendations for Project Managers},
  author  = {Korkmaz, Ahmet Cemal and Saran, Murat},
  journal = {Cankaya University Journal of Science and Engineering},
  volume  = {23},
  number  = {1},
  pages   = {73--78},
  year    = {2026}
}
An Uncertainty-Gated Neuro-Symbolic Framework for High-Coverage Topic Modeling and Trend Analysis in Scholarly Corpora With LLM Assistance
Onur Demir, Murat Saran
IEEE Access, 14, 66445-66464, 2026. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2026.3687277
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{demir2026uncertainty,
  title   = {An Uncertainty-Gated Neuro-Symbolic Framework for High-Coverage Topic Modeling and Trend Analysis in Scholarly Corpora With LLM Assistance},
  author  = {Demir, Onur and Saran, Murat},
  journal = {IEEE Access},
  volume  = {14},
  pages   = {66445--66464},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.1109/ACCESS.2026.3687277}
}
Comparing hand-based and controller-based interactions in virtual reality learning: effects on presence and interaction performance
Murat Saran
PeerJ Computer Science, 11:e3168, 2025. DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.3168
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2025comparing,
  title   = {Comparing hand-based and controller-based interactions in virtual reality learning: effects on presence and interaction performance},
  author  = {Saran, Murat},
  journal = {PeerJ Computer Science},
  volume  = {11},
  pages   = {e3168},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.7717/peerj-cs.3168}
}
Türk Sivil Havacılığı için Entegre Bir Bilgi Güvenliği Modeli: Risk Değerlendirme ve Azaltma Stratejileri için Kapsamlı Bir Çerçeve
Farukcan Özdemir, Murat Saran
Bilişim Teknolojileri Dergisi (Gazi BTD), 18, 2025. DOI: 10.17671/gazibtd.1612089
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{ozdemir2025turk,
  title   = {T{\"u}rk Sivil Havac{\i}l{\i}{\u{g}}{\i} i{\c{c}}in Entegre Bir Bilgi G{\"u}venli{\u{g}}i Modeli: Risk De{\u{g}}erlendirme ve Azaltma Stratejileri i{\c{c}}in Kapsaml{\i} Bir {\c{C}}er{\c{c}}eve},
  author  = {{\"O}zdemir, Farukcan and Saran, Murat},
  journal = {Bili{\c{s}}im Teknolojileri Dergisi},
  volume  = {18},
  year    = {2025},
  doi     = {10.17671/gazibtd.1612089}
}
Distribution-preserving data augmentation
Ayşe Nurdan Saran, Murat Saran, Fatih Nar
PeerJ Computer Science, 7:e571, 2021. DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.571
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2021distribution,
  title   = {Distribution-preserving data augmentation},
  author  = {Saran, Ay{\c{s}}e Nurdan and Saran, Murat and Nar, Fatih},
  journal = {PeerJ Computer Science},
  volume  = {7},
  pages   = {e571},
  year    = {2021},
  doi     = {10.7717/peerj-cs.571}
}
Cassandra ve MongoDB NoSQL Veri Tabanlarının Karşılaştırmalı Güvenlik Analizi
Murat Saran, Ayşe Nurdan Saran
Uluslararası Bilgi Güvenliği Mühendisliği Dergisi, 5(2), 2019. DOI: 10.18640/ubgmd.655489
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2019cassandra,
  title   = {Cassandra ve MongoDB NoSQL Veri Tabanlar{\i}n{\i}n Kar{\c{s}}{\i}la{\c{s}}t{\i}rmal{\i} G{\"u}venlik Analizi},
  author  = {Saran, Murat and Saran, Ay{\c{s}}e Nurdan},
  journal = {Uluslararas{\i} Bilgi G{\"u}venli{\u{g}}i M{\"u}hendisli{\u{g}}i Dergisi},
  volume  = {5},
  number  = {2},
  year    = {2019},
  doi     = {10.18640/ubgmd.655489}
}
Vessel segmentation in MRI using a variational image subtraction approach
Ayşe Nurdan Saran, Fatih Nar, Murat Saran
Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, 22(2), 499-516, 2014. DOI: 10.3906/elk-1206-18
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2014vessel,
  title   = {Vessel segmentation in MRI using a variational image subtraction approach},
  author  = {Saran, Ay{\c{s}}e Nurdan and Nar, Fatih and Saran, Murat},
  journal = {Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences},
  volume  = {22},
  number  = {2},
  pages   = {499--516},
  year    = {2014},
  doi     = {10.3906/elk-1206-18}
}
Mobile Language Learning: Contribution of Multimedia Messages via Mobile Phones in Consolidating Vocabulary
Murat Saran, Kürşat Çağıltay, Gölge Seferoğlu
The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher (TAPER), 21(1), 181-190, 2012.
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2012mobile,
  title   = {Mobile Language Learning: Contribution of Multimedia Messages via Mobile Phones in Consolidating Vocabulary},
  author  = {Saran, Murat and {\c{C}}a{\u{g}}{\i}ltay, K{\"u}r{\c{s}}at and Sefero{\u{g}}lu, G{\"o}lge},
  journal = {The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher},
  volume  = {21},
  number  = {1},
  pages   = {181--190},
  year    = {2012}
}
Yabancı Dil Sözcük Öğreniminin Çoklu Ortam Cep Telefonu İletileri ile Desteklenmesi
Murat Saran, Gölge Seferoğlu
Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, (38), 252-266, 2010.
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2010yabanci,
  title   = {Yabanc{\i} Dil S{\"o}zc{\"u}k {\"O}{\u{g}}reniminin {\c{C}}oklu Ortam Cep Telefonu {\.I}letileri ile Desteklenmesi},
  author  = {Saran, Murat and Sefero{\u{g}}lu, G{\"o}lge},
  journal = {Hacettepe {\"U}niversitesi E{\u{g}}itim Fak{\"u}ltesi Dergisi},
  number  = {38},
  pages   = {252--266},
  year    = {2010}
}
Mobile Assisted Language Learning: English Pronunciation at Learners' Fingertips
Murat Saran, Gölge Seferoğlu, Kürşat Çağıltay
Eurasian Journal of Educational Research (EJER), 8(34), 97-114, 2009.
FULL TEXT ↗
@article{saran2009mobile,
  title   = {Mobile Assisted Language Learning: English Pronunciation at Learners' Fingertips},
  author  = {Saran, Murat and Sefero{\u{g}}lu, G{\"o}lge and {\c{C}}a{\u{g}}{\i}ltay, K{\"u}r{\c{s}}at},
  journal = {Eurasian Journal of Educational Research},
  volume  = {8},
  number  = {34},
  pages   = {97--114},
  year    = {2009}
}
Papers in International Conference Proceedings
Unified Lf-norm Robust Fitting for Linear Models
Fatih Nar, Murat Saran, Ayşe Nurdan Saran, Baha Şen
33rd IEEE Signal Processing and Communications Applications Conference (SIU 2025). DOI: 10.1109/SIU66497.2025.11111764
Application of a Voting-Based Ensemble Method for Recognizing Seven Basic Emotions in Real-Time Webcam Video Images
Ahmet Tunahan Şanlı, Murat Saran
2024 IEEE 9th International Conference for Convergence in Technology (I2CT 2024). DOI: 10.1109/I2CT61223.2024.10543506
BRIDGE Project: Information and digital literacy at primary school
Dora Sales, S. Serap Kurbanoğlu, Petros Kostagiolas, K. Martzoukou, S. Goldstein, S. Pavey, N. Hirvonen, Buket Akkoyunlu, Murat Saran, A. Antoniazzi, M. Morelli, İpek Şencan
The Eighth European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL 2023).
Perlin Random Erasing for Data Augmentation
Murat Saran, Fatih Nar, Ayşe Nurdan Saran
29th IEEE Signal Processing and Communications Applications Conference (SIU 2021). DOI: 10.1109/SIU53274.2021.9477804
Gamification in e-learning: The Effect on Student Performance
Murat Saran, Deena Mohammed, Alaa Daleh Al Magsoosi
9th International Conference on Computer Science Education: Innovation and Technology (CSEIT 2018), pp. 25-32.
A Comparison of NoSQL Database Systems: A Study on MongoDB, Apache Hbase, and Apache Cassandra
Ali Hammood, Murat Saran
International Conference on Computer Science and Engineering (UBMK 2016), pp. 626-631.
Towards a Quest-Based Contextualization Process for Game-Based Learning
Murat Yılmaz, Murat Saran, Rory O'Connor
8th European Conference on Games Based Learning (ECGBL 2014), Vol. 2, pp. 645-651.
Contribution of Intelligent Repeat Engine in Mobile Learning for Enhancing Students’ Learning in Industrial Engineering Education
Murat Saran, Ulaş Güleç
SOLSTICE eLearning & CLT Conference, 2014.
The Use Of Audio Playback Rate Control Tool in Multimedia Learning: A Case Study
Murat Saran, Ayşe Nurdan Saran, Zahide Yıldırım
E-Learn 2008: World Conference on E-Learning, pp. 3893-3901.
Use of Mobile Phones in Language Learning: Developing Effective Instructional Materials
Murat Saran, Kürşat Çağıltay, Gölge Seferoğlu
5th IEEE International Conference on Wireless, Mobile, and Ubiquitous Technology in Education (WMUTE 2008), pp. 39-43. DOI: 10.1109/WMUTE.2008.49
Book Chapters & Registered Patents
Patent: Bir Eğitim Yöntemi (An Educational Method)
Murat Saran, Kürşat Çağıltay, Gölge Seferoğlu
Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT), Patent No: TR 2007 03183, Granted: 2010.
Mobil Öğrenme: Fırsatlar ve Zorluklar (Book Chapter)
Murat Saran
In: Öğretim Teknolojilerinin Temelleri: Teoriler Araştırmalar Eğilimler (Eds: Y. Göktaş, K. Çağıltay), 3rd Edition, Pegem Akademi, 2020. ISBN: 978-605-364-457-6.
Funded Research Projects & Grants 6 Projects
Açık kaynaklı büyük dil modeli destekli hukuk ve mevzuat bilgi sistemi sohbet robotu

Principal Investigator (Yürütücü)

Engineering a domain-specific retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) conversational pipeline utilizing open-source Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate institutional regulatory query processing, legal compliance search, and knowledge synthesis.

Funding: Çankaya University BAP (Higher Education)
Duration: 10/03/2025 – 09/09/2025
Type: National Research Grant
Researchers: Can Ateş, Mehmet Taha Usta, İlker Kılıç
INFORMATION AND DIGITAL LITERACY AT SCHOOL: A Bridge to Support Critical Thinking and Equality Values

Researcher

Transnational European project developing pedagogical frameworks, digital literacy instruments, and transmedia learning tools to foster critical thinking and equality values in primary education.

Funding: European Commission
Duration: 01/11/2021 – 29/02/2024
Type: International Grant
Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Buket Akkoyunlu
Digital Era: WEB 3.0 and Beyond

Researcher

European Commission cooperative initiative investigating emerging Web 3.0 technologies, semantic architectures, decentralized platforms, and instructional transformation.

Funding: European Commission
Duration: 20/10/2019 – 19/10/2022
Type: International Grant
Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Buket Akkoyunlu
Industry 4.0 Competences for SMEs - Awareness Raising Tools

Researcher

Erasmus+ strategic partnership project building digital assessment and awareness instruments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adapting to Industry 4.0 standards.

Funding: European Commission (2018-1-TR01-KA202-058637)
Duration: 25/10/2018 – 01/01/2022
Type: International Grant
PI: Gül Tokdemir · Coordinator: Buket Akkoyunlu
KOBİ’ler ve Eğitim Kurumları için Örgü Tabanlı Mobil Eğitim Platformu

Researcher

Development of a mesh-based mobile instructional delivery platform tailored to SMEs and educational institutions.

Funding: Public Organization Grant
Duration: 15/02/2012 – 15/08/2014
Type: National Project
PI: Benhür Satır · Researcher: Ulaş Güleç
Öğrencilerin İngilizce Kelime Kazanımlarının Cep Telefonu Üzerinden Çoklu Ortam İletileriyle Desteklenmesi (SOBAG 105K070)

Researcher

National scientific inquiry into mobile learning, multimedia message dissemination protocols, and vocabulary consolidation for second-language learners.

Funding: TÜBİTAK (SOBAG 105K070)
Duration: 04/09/2005 – 05/04/2008
Type: National R&D Grant
PI: Gölge Seferoğlu · Researcher: Kürşat Çağıltay
Administrative Leadership & Service
2021 – 2023 & 2023 – 2026
Director
Research Center for Distance Education (UZEM), Çankaya University.
Directing digital education architectures, learning management system operations, and university-wide distance learning pedagogical standards.
2023 – 2024 & 2011 – 2014
Head of Department (Bölüm Başkanı)
Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Çankaya University.
Managing departmental academic governance, ABET/MÜDEK accreditation processes, faculty recruitment, and curriculum modernization.
2019 – 2020
Vice Head of Department (Bölüm Başkan Yardımcısı)
Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Çankaya University.
Coordinating undergraduate curriculum scheduling, student advising, and departmental laboratory infrastructure.
Teaching & Curriculum

Undergraduate Courses

Code Course Title & Description Category
CENG 105
Computer Engineering Orientation
Foundational system logic, introductory algorithmic principles, and procedural programming in C.
Core
CENG 111
Computer Programming I
Fundamental control structures, data typing, functions, modular software design, and memory operations.
Core
CENG 114
Computer Programming II
Pointers, dynamic memory management, multidimensional arrays, records/structures, and file I/O algorithms.
Core
CENG 361
Core game mechanics, user experience modeling, mathematical game balancing, and interactive systems.
Elective
CENG 382
Web Development
Enterprise architectures with ASP.NET Core MVC, Entity Framework Core, RESTful services, and web standards.
Core
CENG 403
Social Issues in Engineering
Professional accountability, software engineering ethics, intellectual property, data protection, and societal impacts.
Core
CENG 407/408
Innovative System Design & Development I & II
Two-semester senior capstone project: system architecture, lifecycle management, testing, and defense.
Capstone
CENG 485
Introduction to Blockchain Technology
Distributed consensus models, cryptographic primitives, smart contract design, and decentralized applications.
Elective

Graduate Courses

Code Course Title & Description Category
IT 535
Database Management Systems
Advanced relational architectures, query compilation and optimization, concurrency, and NoSQL storage systems.
Graduate (M.Sc.)
Theses 37 Supervised Theses

Supervised Ph.D. Dissertations (Çankaya University)

Year Student Thesis Title & Department Status
2026 Abdulrahman Alkateb Edge AI-Based Auracast Infrastructure: Scalable and Real-Time Audio Accessibility in Public Spaces
Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering, Çankaya University
Ongoing

Supervised Master's Theses (Çankaya University)

Year Student Thesis Title & Department Status
2026 Esra Çakar Ontology-Guided Harmonized System Code Classification Using Large Language Models and Section-Specific Prompt Engineering
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Çankaya University
Ongoing
2026 Yazgı Ateş Prediction of User Fatigue in Virtual Reality Environments Using Head and Upper-Limb Movement Data
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Çankaya University
Ongoing
2025 Hamdullah Aydoğdu Evaluating Open-Source Large Language Models for Tax and Trade Law Applications
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Çankaya University
Ongoing
2025 Resul Atmaca Generative AI for Optimizing Military Supply Chain Logistics
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Çankaya University
Ongoing
2024 Şükran Nur Cihangeri LLM Ajanları ile Yapay Zekâ Tabanlı Etkileşimli Yazılım Geliştirme Platformu
M.Sc. in Software Engineering, Çankaya University
Ongoing
2023 Ahmet Yıldız Predicting Emotional States in Dogs
M.Sc. in Information Technology, Çankaya University
Ongoing
2026 Göktürk Bilgetürk Automatic Generation of Declarative UI Components from Design Mockups Using Machine Learning Techniques
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Çankaya University
Completed
2026 İhsan Arda Çağlayan Development of an LLM-Enabled Make-or-Buy Decision Support Mechanism in ERP Systems
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Çankaya University
Completed
2025 Marwan T. S. Al Jumaili Identifying research trends in computer engineering and computer science master's programs in Türkiye using topic modeling techniques: LDA, TOP2VEC, AND BERTOPIC
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2025 Onur Demir Scientometric mapping of Türkiye's computer engineering graduate research landscape
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2025 Rusul M. A. Al Maqadas Federated learning for credit card fraud detection: A privacy-preserving approach with controlled noise integration
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2024 Farukcan Özdemir Developing an integrated information security model for civil aviation: A comprehensive framework for risk assessment and mitigation strategies
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2023 Ahmet Tunahan Şanlı Application of a voting-based ensemble method for recognizing seven basic emotions in real-time webcam video images
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2023 Ufuk Yıldırım Exploring the trends, challenges, and opportunities of regulatory technology (RegTech) in the financial industry: A systematic literature review
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2021 Ahmet Cemal Korkmaz Identifying management errors that lead to failure in it projects and recommendations for project managers
M.Sc. in Information Technology
Completed
2019 Berkay Kaan Karataş Development of a prescription recommendation system using case-based reasoning
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2019 Ahmed Imad Y. Younus Use of learning management systems in education: Comparison of open source learning management systems
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2018 Mustafa Muslih Shwaysh Security and performance comparison of NoSQL database systems
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2018 Ahmed Abdulkareem The design, development and evaluation of a smart attendance tracking system using bluetooth low energy beacons
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2018 Deena A. Mohammed Gamification in e-learning: The effect on student performance and perception at an Iraqi university
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2018 Zehra Begüm Eroğlu Development of case-based recommendation system for course selection in a university context
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2017 Ihsan Ahmed Taha A comprehensive comparison of NOSQL and relational database management systems
M.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science
Completed
2017 Ahmed A. H. Al-Tameemi Use of content management systems in business: A comparison of open source content management systems
M.Sc. in Mathematics
Completed
2017 Ali Murat Karaoğlu Designing and evaluating a reliable network topology by using BGP
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2017 Dheyauldeen A. M. Marzoog Emoji usage in twitter data: Analyzing users' interpretations of emoji ideograms
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2016 Aws Nazar A. Al-Azzwi Designing and evaluating a context-aware recommender system for mobile devices
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2016 Saadallah Darwesh Ahmed Security analysis of HTML5 elements, attributes, and features
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2016 Hussein Al Hamrany Development and evaluation of an online course for Iraqi students using google course builder: An analysis using the technology acceptance model
M.Sc. in Information Technology
Completed
2016 Gailan Shahoodh Obstacles to activating e-learning at Iraqi universities
M.Sc. in Mathematics and Computer Science
Completed
2015 Fatih Özkan Open domain factoid question answering system
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2014 Alper Aslan A performance and functional analysis tool for testing and maintenance of web-based application from the user perspective
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2013 Abdulrahman Alkateb Using Interactive social network to reveal the road situation
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2013 Hasan Saeed Development of e-government application in Iraq: A case study of Iraq Ministry of Education Employment Agency
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2013 Serkan Özdemir A client-server architecture for live video streaming using object relational database
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2012 Emrah Yılmaz Using sensors and embedded image processing for impaired users' computer interaction
M.Sc. in Computer Software
Completed
2012 Serkan Özkan Development of NFC applications: Use case for social networks
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
2011 Mahmut Ersoy Using geographical information system in emergency management systems
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering
Completed
Contact Information

Departmental Office

Faculty of Engineering, Room L-220
Department of Computer Engineering
Çankaya University Central Campus
Yukarıyurtçu Mahallesi Mimar Sinan Cad. No:4, 06790 Etimesgut
Ankara, Türkiye

Direct Inquiries

Email: saran@cankaya.edu.tr
Phone (Office): +90 312 233 1341
Institutional Web: ceng.cankaya.edu.tr ↗
Office Hours: By email appointment.