Batman Youth Shine in USA; Two Global Awards and a Historic Record

Today, June 13, 2026, the city of Batman witnesses one of the greatest scientific honors in its history. Eyüp Bilir, Eren Aygün, and Sinan Güneş, 12th-grade students from Batman Türk Telekom Anadolu High School, have returned home after shining in the United States. These young elites won two prestigious global awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2026) held in Phoenix, Arizona. [1][3]

From Personal Grief to Global Innovation The story of this great success began with a deep human experience. These three students decided to find a communication solution for patients when they realized their English teacher, Emre Arslan, had lost his father to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). [2] In advanced stages of the disease, ALS patients lose their ability to move and speak, but they remain capable of moving their eyes until the very last moments. This initial spark led to the design of a project that is now acclaimed globally.

Technology as a Voice for the Silenced The youth's project, titled "Accessible AI Eye-Tracking AAC App for SSMI," is an AI-based mobile application that allows paralyzed patients to communicate using only their eye movements. [3] Unlike similar models that require expensive hardware, this software works using only a standard smartphone camera.

According to published reports, this application has achieved a stunning accuracy of 96.3% and is capable of providing services in 10 different languages. [1] This innovation not only drastically reduces treatment and care costs but also restores personal independence to patients who have lived in silence for years.

Achievement Among 80 Countries At ISEF 2026, more than 1,800 finalists from approximately 80 countries competed. The Batman team managed to win both the "Grand Award" and the "Special Award" in the "Software Systems" category. [3] Speaking to the media, Eyüp Bilir stated: "The greatest honor for us is that we were able to facilitate the lives of patients and be their voice." [2]

This success, covered by the Batman Pusula newspaper and other reputable news agencies, has created a wave of national pride in Turkey and demonstrates the high potential of youth from disadvantaged regions in reaching the peaks of global technology. [1]