Universities to establish 'R&D Institute'

The Izmir Universities Platform (IUP), formed by all higher education institutions in Izmir, came together to clarify the work to be done until the end of the year. At the meeting held at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO), it was decided to invite Louisa Vinton, the Turkey Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to the city to establish an “R&D Institute” in Izmir where qualified products and services are developed, and to discuss possible collaborations on the theme of the platform, “Sustainability and Green Consensus”.

Continuing its activities under the management of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), IUP held its 2nd Executive Board Meeting with the participation of representatives from all universities. Activities of the platform in the coming period were discussed at the meeting held with the participation of IZTO Assembly President and IUE Board of Trustees Member Selami Özpoyraz. Determining this year's theme as 'Sustainability and the Green Consensus' and aiming to carry out scientific and social studies that will set an example for Turkey in this field, the platform agreed on inviting the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Turkey Representative Louisa Vinton to Izmir. In the meetings to be held with Vinton, consultations will be made on which joint studies, that will put Izmir to center, can be carried out and her support will be requested.

JOINING FORCES FOR R&D

The Platform discussed what needs to be done to direct university students to scientific studies, and the idea of ​​establishing an “R&D Institute” within the body of TUBITAK with the cooperation of universities came to the fore. While all universities have announced that they will support the institute, it is expected that the theme, management style and details of the institute will be clarified at the executive committee meeting to be held on June 28. The other important items of the agenda were the progress and development of the works that have been carried out for 2 years with the motto of ‘Üniversite İzmir’de yaşanır’ (Best city to experience university life: Izmir) for the purpose of promoting the universities in Izmir throughout Turkey.

IT WILL MAKE IZMIR MORE POWERFUL

IUP’s current President, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar said that they will implement projects that will bring Izmir forward scientifically as a platform and increase cooperation between institutions. Expressing that they continue to work in harmony Aşkar said, “Lately, Izmir is a city of education that is frequently preferred by young people, and continues its development rapidly. As the Platform, we are working with the aim of contributing to the development of our city and strengthening Izmir in this sense. The work, which has been going on with determination for about 2 months, has reached a very positive point. We have reached the final stage for the ‘R&D Institute’, which includes very valuable academics from every university and which we believe will be the driving force of our city. With this institute, which we plan to establish with the support of TUBITAK, our aim is to bring a new breath to Izmir at the point of developing qualified products and services through scientific research. In addition, we see the invitation of UNDP Turkey Representative Louisa Vinton to our city as a great opportunity for the development of new collaborations.”

IZTO IS READY FOR ALL KINDS OF SUPPORT

IZTO Assembly President and IUE Board of Trustees Member Selami Özpoyraz said that they, as a Chamber, are ready to support the work of the Izmir Universities Platform. Özpoyraz said, “The platform set an example for Turkey in terms of universities acting on a common ground and producing together in full solidarity. Izmir University of Economics, which is very important for us, is the executive of the platform this year. This puts us, the representatives of the Izmir business world, on the responsibility of supporting the platform. The Chamber, which has more than 90 thousand members, has carried out many studies on the ‘Green Consensus’, which is also the theme of the platform, and took steps to inform and guide our members. This issue is of great importance in terms of both leaving a healthier and more livable world to the youth and adapting to the new world order in economic terms. As Izmir Chamber of Commerce, we are ready to be involved in every work to be done and to support the platform.”

WIDELY ATTENDED MEETING

The Izmir Universities Platform 2^nd Executive Board Meeting was attended by Selami Özpoyraz, IZTO Assembly President and IUE Board of Trustees Member, Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar, IUE Rector, as well as Prof. Dr. Yusuf Baran, Izmir Institute of Technology Rector, Prof. Dr. Nükhet Hotar, Dokuz Eylül University Rector, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Güvençer, Izmir Tınaztepe University Rector, Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Kentmen Çin and Prof. Dr. Levent Eren, IUE Vice Rectors, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ersan, Ege University Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Levent Kandiller, Yaşar University Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Süleyman Akbulut, Katip Çelebi University Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Abdülkadir Hızıroğlu, Izmir Bakırçay University Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Derman Küçükaltan, Director of Kavram Vocational School, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Işık Özge Yumurtacı Hüseyinoğlu, IUP Coordinator for the current term.