A cooperation protocol has been signed between Üsküdar University and Medeniyet University TEKNOPARK. With this protocol, the goal is to contribute to Türkiye’s knowledge economy and innovative entrepreneurship ecosystem. The collaboration also aims to implement projects in the fields of technology, entrepreneurship, and education. Highlighting that students who think in the medium and long term motivate their professors more, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that students should be educated not only with a professional ideal but also for society, humanity, and science. Stressing the importance of involving students in teams, Tarhan advised that professors should guide their students and conduct research together. He also added that without university-industry collaboration, there is no future.
Cooperation protocol signed between Üsküdar University and Medeniyet University
The protocol signing ceremony took place at the Ziraat Bank Library building of Istanbul Medeniyet University, between President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Medeniyet University Rector Prof. Gülfettin Çelik. The event was also attended by Üsküdar University Vice-Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, Medeniyet University Vice-Rector Prof. Yaşar Bülbül, Üsküdar University Secretary-General Asil Barış Bağ, and Medeniyet University TEKNOPARK General Manager Ali Ramazan Tak.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “There is currently an incredible climate of possibility”
Emphasizing that social transformation cannot happen without mental transformation, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said: “Universities have four main functions. The first is education. There is a perspective focused only on education. The second pillar is R&D, the third is informing society, and the fourth is transforming knowledge into products. Years ago, we had some old professors at the university. When I spoke of ‘commercializing knowledge,’ some would object, saying, ‘We cannot engage in commerce.’ There’s a saying: ‘Software is harder than hardware,’ meaning that changing prejudices is even more difficult. Without mental transformation, social transformation does not happen. This is the skill and method of the 21st century. Both sides benefit together. The old approach of ‘I produce knowledge, present it to the world, and whatever happens after that is not my concern’ is outdated. This happens through working together with those who implement it in the field. It happens through joint projects. Without university-industry collaboration, there is no future. It’s wonderful that both our universities share the same vision. With this, many steps can be taken here, such as in healthcare, biotechnology, and especially in artificial intelligence. There is currently an incredible climate of possibility regarding this. We need to give this vision to our youth. We must raise our young people not just to survive today or pursue a professional ideal, but to ask, ‘What can I do for society, humanity, and science?’ If we can raise young people who think in this medium to long-term manner, they inspire their professors more. One way to stimulate them is by creating demand. When there is demand, there is need. When there is need, there is desire, and motivation to act arises.”
“Including students in the team is important”
Stating that he recommends moving from the bottom up, Tarhan said: “Including students in the team is important. If we include students in the team — in fact, we even use this approach in issues between daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law. In family problems, we tell daughters-in-law who have conflicts with their mother-in-law: ‘Include your mother-in-law in the team.’ She calls her mother-in-law and asks, ‘How did you make the dolma (stuffed pepper)?’ The mother-in-law is pleased and thinks, ‘She is going to take good care of my son.’ In this way, you have brought her onto your team. That means, for some things, you do not need to make big sacrifices. If a student in a project asks a professor, ‘Can we do this or that?’ and the professor knows how, they will explain it. If not, they research it together. That is why I recommend going from the bottom up.”
Prof. Gülfettin Çelik: “We want to take the interaction between the two universities further”
Rector of Medeniyet University, Prof. Gülfettin Çelik, expressed his pleasure with the cooperation protocol that was signed. Çelik said that “We want to take the interaction between the two universities even further. We hope that university-industry cooperation will bring us together under new topics as well. May it lead to good outcomes. Here is to many more successful collaborations…”
The protocol covers a wide range of fields
The protocol includes incubation programs, technology transfer office services, and various training and consultancy activities. As part of the collaboration, the parties will act jointly in processes such as university-industry relations, R&D and innovation projects, and project development for national and international funding programs.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)