The Bilkent Educational Exchange for Sustainability (BEES) is a mobile application designed to foster sustainability and resource-sharing within the Bilkent University community. BEES empowers students by providing a secure, student-only platform where they can buy, sell, rent, donate or exchange academic materials such as textbooks, calculators, notes, T-squares, and even laptops. This initiative not only reduces the need to purchase new resources but also minimizes waste, promoting a circular economy within the university. BEES is a solution to inefficiencies in material access, tackling both environmental and economic concerns through its innovative approach. Key features of the platform include department-specific searches that allow students to find materials relevant to their field, a built-in auction system for competitive pricing, and dynamic pricing algorithms that adjust based on supply, demand, and condition of the items. BEES's goal is to cultivate a sustainable, collaborative environment that encourages students to make environmentally conscious decisions, while also alleviating the financial pressure that comes with buying new academic materials.
