Giant collaboration in 'Energy'

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) and the Energy Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (ENSIA) collaborated with the aim of increasing energy efficiency and producing projects that will be a role model for Turkey in this field. Joint studies will be carried out for the European Union (EU) supported ‘Best for Energy (Boosting Effective and Sustainable Transformation for Energy)’ project within the scope of the protocol signed by Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar, IUE Rector and Alper Kalaycı, ENSIA Chairman of the Executive Board. IUE and ENSIA will produce large-scale projects that will spread from Izmir to Turkey in the field of energy, especially in the development and effective use of renewable energy resources.

An energy-themed ideathon will be held on 4-5 December 2021, hosted by IUE thanks to the cooperation that sets an example for university-industry integration. ‘The 'Best for City' competition will pave the way for the development of new ideas and practices for the use of clean energy technologies.

WILL BE VALID FOR 3 YEARS

The signing ceremony of the cooperation protocol between IUE and ENSIA, which will be valid for 3 years, was held at the IUE Board of Trustees Hall. Murat Güler and Tibet Arbak, Vice Chairmen of the Executive Board of ENSIA, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fehmi Görkem Üçtuğ, Vice Dean of IUE Faculty of Engineering,  Dr. Sevay İpek Aydın, Director of IUE Creative Economy Research and Application Center, Serkan Aksüyek, Advisory Board Member and academics attended the ceremony.

IT BECAME A NECESSITY

In his speech at the ceremony, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar said that many factors, especially climate change, necessitate energy efficiency. Expressing that they attach great importance to the cooperation with ENSIA in this respect, and that they will create a road map for the works to be done in the coming period, Prof. Dr. Aşkar said, “The Best for Energy project is a project financed by our country and the EU. It includes supporting an efficient and sustainable transformation in energy. Recently, we have taken important steps in the field of energy as a country. The works in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean are examples of these in the struggle to produce new resources. However, there is much to be done in terms of energy efficiency, not only as a country, but also as cities and individuals. In our work with ENSIA, we will focus on what can be done for energy awareness.”

CITIZEN-FOCUSED PROJECTS

Prof. Dr. Aşkar continued as follows: “Energy awareness should become widespread, and this concept should be assimilated by citizens. Every detail, including de-carbonization of buildings and simple measures to be taken at home, is important at the point of establishing a more livable world. We will work together with ENSIA to develop national and international projects by focusing on these points. I believe that we will implement effective works that spread from Izmir to Turkey. We will also focus on what should be done for citizens. This cooperation reflects our concept of Campus Izmir, which is the first model of university-city integration in Turkey. I believe that the union of forces will yield very beneficial results.”

WE ARE ALWAYS READY

ENSIA Chairman Alper Kalaycı stated that every work done in the field of energy will contribute to the development of Turkey and Izmir. Drawing attention to the importance of working with IUE, Kalaycı said, “Countries around the world are increasing their investments in the field of energy day by day. We can say that every step to be taken in the field of energy will directly affect the future of countries. As ENSIA, our main vision is to transform our country into an international center that produces equipment, technology, and projects in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. We are ready to be involved in every project and work to be done for this purpose. The cooperation with IUE is a good example of this.”

THE RECTOR IS AMONG THE ACADEMIC MEMBERS

Kalaycı continued as follows: “The association will provide technical trip opportunities to IUE students through our corporate members within the scope of this cooperation. In addition, students will be given internship opportunities. We will plan studies, research, and organizations in the field of energy efficiency and awareness together. We will develop practical solutions in the field of energy by bringing together the business world and the academic environment. As ENSIA, we will seek the opinions of valuable academics in IUE in every work we will do in the field of energy. Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar has been among our academic members since the establishment of our association. In this respect, we are very happy and proud to see him as a member of the ENSIA family.”