Marmara University National Technology Workshop Opening Ceremony, Minister of Industry and Technology Kacır, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) Prof. Dr.
In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Kacır noted that technology in all respects is guiding the world in the current period and said that original studies carried out in various fields, from artificial intelligence to semiconductor technologies, from space to cloud computing, from biotechnology to energy technologies, are opening new horizons for humanity and redefining the global balance of power.
Commenting on the importance of this process, which is also called the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, Kacır emphasized that this process represents a crossroads where those who pioneer through investments in research and development, technology and skilled labor rise onto the world stage, while other countries that miss this train are doomed to become only marketplaces for the technology produced by others.
Pointing out that Türkiye has failed to adequately utilize the opportunities of past industrial revolutions, Kacır said: “The steps taken by leading names of national technology such as Vecihi Hürkuş, Şakir Zümre and Nuri Demirağ were thwarted by statements such as “It can't be done”, “You buy cheaper abroad”, “Don't invent”. Before the 2000s, research and development and innovation were not on the agenda of our industry. There are almost invisible boundaries between our universities and our industry.” As the world rapidly built a new order of production, communication and competition with the opportunities offered by the Internet revolution, we were often left to watch the change from behind, rather than being a key agent of that change for many years. he said.
“We increased Türkiye’s research and development spending from $1.2 billion per year to $20 billion.”
Minister Kacır stated that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, they have completely changed this picture with the decisive steps taken over the last 23 years and have placed research and development, innovation, high value-added production and university-industry cooperation at the center of development policy.
Kacır pointed out that the projects carried out today by Turkish engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs strengthen Türkiye's self-confidence, production capability and global competitiveness.
Stating that Türkiye's development path is being closely followed by the world, Kacır continued as follows:
“Of course, we see the most striking examples of this in the defense industry. In the past, there was a Turkey that even had to import infantry rifles and in which, due to its high foreign dependence, the defense industry tried to exploit even its most basic needs as leverage against itself. Today there is a Turkey that develops and produces its own unmanned aerial vehicles, combat aircraft, naval platforms, satellites and missiles. These successes we have achieved in the defense industry have broken the old shackles.” It should be anchored in the minds of our country and pave the way for major changes in other sectors. It has led to the formation of a strong cross-sector technology ecosystem and the strengthening of the research and development culture in our country.
Our comprehensive R&D incentives have been one of the strongest levers of this great transformation story. Since 2002, we have increased Türkiye's research and development spending from $1.2 billion per year to $20 billion. The share of R&D expenditure in our national income rose from 5 per thousand to 1.5 percent. The number of our full-time equivalent R&D employees, which was 29,000 in 2002, has now exceeded 310,000. With the R&D infrastructure we have created, with Togg, whose intellectual and industrial property rights belong entirely to our country, we have taken our place on the global stage in the automotive industry, which has undergone great change with simultaneous revolutions. “We have transformed electric, connected, autonomous and intelligent mobility technologies into a new, groundbreaking field for our country.”
Kacır stated that with TÜRKSAT 6A they brought Türkiye into the top 11 in the world in satellite technologies, i.e. the A-Team, and emphasized that this momentum will continue to increase.
“The National Technology Workshop is a concrete reflection of the understanding we represent”
Minister Kacır said that the “TEKNOFEST Generation” is a generation that has high self-confidence, has the will to “do the best,” has a strong national consciousness, designs, develops, produces and does not give up in the face of obstacles.
Kacır emphasized that their mission is to support the dreams of young people and make them architects of the “Turkey Century” by creating infrastructures where they can turn their ideas into products, their projects into companies, and their savings into added value.
Stating that with the TEKNOFESTs they have organized since 2018, they have enabled young people to realize their innovative ideas, Kacır said: “With the Sector on Campus program, we bring our university students together with real industry professionals in the courses we open in universities while their training processes are still ongoing. With our National Technology Expertise programs, we support the competent human resources that our country needs for its High-tech breakthroughs are needed. We support a wide range of areas, from science festivals to science fairs.” “With the work we do, we maintain interest in science in all parts of society and increase enthusiasm for production,” he said.
Stating that with the National Technology Workshops they set up on university campuses, Kacır gives young people the opportunity to translate the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies into practical competence and develop local and national technology solutions through team spirit, and continued with his words as follows:
“The National Technology Workshop that we held at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Complex of Marmara University and opened together today is a concrete reflection of this understanding that we have put forward. We believe that our young people, who will benefit from the opportunities of the workshop, will achieve new successes on national and international platforms and bring the name of Türkiye to the top of the global arena with their high technology-oriented projects. This investment was realized with the support of 30 million lira TÜBİTAK is the research and development of our university: “It will further increase its ability to innovate.”
Stating that Marmara University has always been one of the leading institutions in Türkiye's technology-oriented development process with its academic knowledge, the human resources it trains and the projects it proposes, Minister Kacır emphasized that behind the successes achieved today in many strategic areas are the efforts of the engineers, researchers, scientists and managers trained by this established institution.
Pointing out that since 2002, they have supported more than 3,700 students and researchers of Marmara University with 1 billion 400 million liras under the TÜBİTAK Scholarship Programs for Scientists and Students, Kacır said: “We have created 1 billion 600 million liras of resources for 628 projects of our university within the scope of support programs for the private sector, the academy and the public. The scientific findings at our university have economic importance.” Value and products with high added value. “As the Ministry of Industry and Technology, we will continue to offer projects that improve collaboration between universities and industry and bring our country into the league of high technology giants, in the service of our youth and our country.” he said.
“The National Technology Move has become visible in all areas of society”
Istanbul Governor Gül also said that the “National Technology Move” has now become visible in all sectors of society, from elementary school students to university students and industry.
Stating that it is becoming clearer every day how applicable this vision is in the world's complex situation, Gül said: “To be self-sufficient, to develop our own technology, as they say: 'Knowledge is power, power makes it', and our universities are preparing the infrastructure for this. Our Istanbul is a city of universities. We have around 60 universities and more than 1 million students. With the support that TÜBİTAK provides to these universities, dozens and hundreds of projects are being fully implemented.” show the potential of our professors and students. Dozens of them are being implemented today. “We’re seeing one of them again.” he said.
Minister Kacır and his accompanying delegation visited the stands where the students exhibited the products they made and chatted with the students. Later, Kacır made observations at the National Technology Workshop.
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