Hosted by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), Turkey-Turkey cooperation aims to strengthen scientific cooperation between the United Kingdom and Turkey.UK Science and Innovation Weekwas held on January 28-30.
At the opening meeting held at TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM), President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydin and the British Ambassador to Turkey Jill Morris CMG made their opening speeches. During the Science Commission meeting, the issues of scientific cooperation between the two countries were discussed.
New Era in Bilateral Cooperation
Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, President of TÜBİTAK, emphasized the importance of scientific partnerships between the two countries and stated that this event will create new opportunities for future collaborations.
In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, President of TÜBİTAK, stated that the scientific cooperation between Turkey and the United Kingdom has strengthened over the years and that these collaborations have produced projects that will produce solutions to global challenges. In this context Kâtip Çelebi-Newton Fund Aydın drew attention to the successful projects realized within the scope of the program and the newly established Science Commission, and stated that the joint efforts between the two countries will continue in the future.
The Importance of Science and Innovation Week
The Science and Innovation Week is considered to be an important step in realizing the objectives of celebrating the long-standing scientific and technological cooperation between Turkey and the UK, strengthening the synergy between the research and innovation stakeholders of the two countries and enhancing the partnership between R&D ecosystems.
TUBITAK President stated that the idea for the event emerged during meetings held in the past years with the British Ambassador to Turkey, Jill Morris, International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) He stated that within the framework of the meeting, it was decided to increase cooperation between the two countries in the field of science and innovation.
Aydın, who co-chairs the Science Commission, emphasized that the commission will promote joint projects in priority areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, informatics, biotechnology, semiconductors and sustainable energy.
Emphasis on Cooperation from TÜBİTAK
Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, President of TÜBİTAK, made a speech at the end of the event, "This event offers a unique opportunity to further scientific and technological cooperation between Turkey and the UK. I believe that the ideas shared will make the research ecosystems of both countries stronger." He said.
Science Commission and Transformative Technologies
UK Ambassador Jill Morris, in her opening speech, referred to the first 'Science Commission' to be established between the UK and Turkey and stated that the Commission, which brings together excellent researchers in the field of 'Transformative Technologies', will provide the opportunity to explore opportunities to further enrich the existing science cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Morris emphasized that during the Science and Innovation Week, the UK and Turkey came together under the theme "Transformative Technologies", which covers priority sectors such as engineering biology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, future telecommunications and quantum; Ambassador Morris emphasized that the two countries have long-standing strong ties in the field of science and innovation through bilateral programs such as the Newton-Katip Çelebi Fund and the International Science Partnerships Fund, as well as joint work under EU Framework Programs such as Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.
Ambassador Morris thanked TÜBİTAK and Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, and on behalf of the UK Government, thanked the Turkish Government for its commitment and dedication throughout this ongoing collaboration.
Women's Role in Science and Technology Comes to the Forefront
As part of Science and Innovation Week, Women in Science, Technology and Innovation Panel was also organized. In this panel, Prof. Burcu Özsoy, President of TÜBİTAK MAM, discussed the contributions of women researchers in the field of science and innovation, and inclusive strategies that will enable women to be more involved in the research and innovation ecosystem in the future.
Three important sessions were held at the Turkey-United Kingdom Science Commission Meeting
International Cooperation and Global Challenges - The role of international funding programs and opportunities for joint cooperation between Turkey and the UK were discussed.
Future Trends in Research and Innovation - The direction of innovation in line with sustainable development goals was discussed.
Improving Funding Mechanisms - They discussed how to optimize existing funding mechanisms to make scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries more efficient.
Emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in building a sustainable common future During the first day's sessions, bilateral research and innovation collaborations between the two countries were discussed and the opportunities offered by the Horizon Europe program were evaluated. The contribution of transformative technologies to the process of building a sustainable future was emphasized and areas where Turkey and the UK can work together were discussed. Within the scope of the program, TÜBİTAK MAM facilities were visited and research infrastructures were examined on-site.
Cooperation Talks on Information Security and Nanotechnology
On January 29, 2025, TÜBİTAK Informatics and Information Security Advanced Technologies Research Center (BİLGEM) was visited and cooperation opportunities in the field of information security and advanced information technologies were evaluated. Afterwards, Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) and Integrated Manufacturing Center (SU-IMC) were visited and joint studies in the field of nanotechnology were discussed.
Panels and Closing Reception in Istanbul
On January 30, 2025, after the visit to ITU Molecular Biology-Biotechnology and Genetics Research Center (MOBGAM) within the scope of the week continuing in Istanbul ITU Core and joint projects in the field of entrepreneurship and technology were discussed. Connections from academia to entrepreneurship were discussed with start-up presentations.
Followed by UK-Turkey Science Partnerships & Success Stories and Women in Science, Technology and Innovation panels were organized. At the closing and networking reception held at the Consulate General of the United Kingdom in IstanbulWendy Wyver, Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom and TUBITAK Vice President Ismail Dogan The success stories of the projects supported under the Newton-Kâtip Çelebi Fund were shared.
Turkey-United Kingdom Science and Innovation WeekThe agreement was considered as an important step towards strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the fields of science, technology and innovation.
