Erdoğan Şuhubi

Şuhubi was born to İbrahim and Samime Şuhubi on 4 October 1934 in Istanbul, Turkey.^[1] When he fell seriously ill when he contracted severe pneumonia at the age of four, the family moved to Fenerbahçe following the doctor's recommendation for a change of climate to aid his recovery.^[4]

The Şuhubi family lived in Fenerbahçe from 1939 to 1954. When he reached school age, his parents intended to enroll him in a well-regarded school in Kızıltoprak, a choice popular among rich families. However, due to age restrictions, he was not eligible for admission. As an alternative, he was enrolled in Kırk Dokuzuncu İlkokul (49th Primary School), located near the train tracks.^[4]

Şuhubi also attended Kadıköy First Primary School for his early education. His interest in reading developed over time, and by 1953, he had started reading the Children's Encyclopedia, which expanded his knowledge. During his high school years, his interest in encyclopedias grew further, leading him to collect several types of reference books. His reading included works by authors such as Jules Verne, contributing to his growing curiosity and intellectual pursuits.^[4]

He was a middle school student when he encountered challenges in certain subjects such as physical education and music. Despite his knowledge of musical theory, his diffidence inhibited him from participating fully in class activities. He later reflected on his reserved nature, noting that it persisted throughout his life and may have been influenced by his upbringing in Fenerbahçe, where he led a relatively isolated life.^[4]

After completing middle school, he sought to enroll at Saint Joseph, a school recommended by his father due to its emphasis on French as a foreign language. However, since Saint Joseph did not admit students beyond middle school, he initially considered attending Saint Benoit. After attending summer courses there, he decided against it, finding the idea of spending two years in preparatory classes unappealing. Instead, he opted to attend Haydarpaşa High School.^[4]

At Haydarpaşa, he developed an interest in biology, a subject that would shape his future intentions. He spent much of his free time in the school library, where he decided to pursue a career in medicine. His father's struggle with asthma also played a role in his decision, as Şuhubi was motivated by an inclination to aid others with similar conditions.^[4]

During his education, Şuhubi's academic attainment extended to his university years. He attended Istanbul Technical University (ITU), where he and his classmate, Gökçe Aykut, excelled in their studies. Aykut later gained recognition for his work on the construction of the Atatürk Dam, while Şuhubi graduated third in his class. Despite his overall progress, he failed a timber construction course, an outcome he believed to be unfair. He attributed this to a conflict with the course instructor, Abdullah Türkmen, which resulted in a strained relationship.^[4]

In July 1956, he graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), where he achieved substantial academic standing. However, he then chose not to follow a conventional engineering career path. Instead, he followed the advice of family members and decided to pursue an academic career. Initially, he applied to the Structural Engineering Department, but at the request of a friend, he switched to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Strength of Materials.^[4]

He completed his PhD in applied mechanics in 1959, and in 1962, he earned a master's degree from the ITU Nuclear Energy Institute.^[2]