The Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) 35th Group Committee on Plastic Raw Materials and Plastic Injection Products organized an "University-Industry Collaboration Informative Meeting." The event, attended by numerous industrialists and university students, took place on December 20, 2024, with participation from Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) academicians, YTÜ KOOP Management, and the Yıldız Technology Transfer Office.
The meeting commenced with opening speeches by Ömer Karadeniz, the Committee Chairman and Member of the 35th Group Assembly, and Doç. Dr. Zafer Gemici, the Assistant General Manager of YTÜ Yıldız Technopark.
Karadeniz: “We must think on a global scale to achieve competitive superiority”
The meeting started with an opening speech by Ömer Karadeniz, the Chairman of the 35th Group Committee on Plastic Raw Materials and Plastic Injection Products. He stated that the most important topic in Turkey is university-industry collaboration, emphasizing the need for the industry to think globally to achieve and maintain competitive superiority, develop innovative technologies, and produce high value-added products. Karadeniz remarked that the cooperation between industry and university is essential for enhancing the strength of Turkish industry and production.
He mentioned that both the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry have been working for years for university-industry collaboration, stating, “We have actually come to very good points in terms of realization; however, we need to get to the root of the problem and reach its essence.”
Gemici: “We are collaborating with industry representatives”
Dr. Zafer Gemici, General Manager of the Technopark, stated that their main goal is to train students for the industry and expressed a desire to participate in any processes that will contribute to the country. He emphasized that they continuously think about how to be more beneficial for both the industry and the students, expressing that they are present there today for this purpose. Gemici explained that they analyze the needs of the industry more accurately and prepare students accordingly, emphasizing their ongoing collaboration with industry representatives.
He added that they aim to develop innovative collaborations with industrial organizations and that sustainable development is among their goals, stating that they strive to strengthen these efforts every passing day.
The meeting continued with presentations
After the opening speeches, Aycan Özalp, Project Development Manager of Yıldız Technology Transfer Office, provided participants with information regarding public supports for university-industry collaboration.
Next, Dr. Emrah Özcan, Coordinator of YTÜ KOOP, informed about the KOOP Internship Model, which allows students to undertake long-term internships in the industry.
In the subsequent section of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Tarık Eren and Doç. Dr. Ömer Tahir Günkara shared good examples of university-industry collaboration oriented towards the plastic and chemical sectors with the attendees. Duygu Yılmaz from the Biolive company located in Yıldız TTO Technopark also delivered a presentation in this context.
Translated by Artificial Intelligence
