The BrainPark Entrepreneurship and Incubation Center, focusing on technology-based initiatives in the fields of Behavioral Sciences, Health, Neuroscience, Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence, Wearable Technologies, Cybersecurity, Forensic Sciences, and Personalized Medicine, was opened with a ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Üsküdar District Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, officials from industrial organizations, and KOSGEB officials. In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that young people are very excited and want to produce projects, saying, 'We need to create the atmosphere and climate of possibility that future Nobel candidates need. Our greatest capital is to work and set our goals.'
The BrainPark Entrepreneurship and Incubation Center opened its doors to young people to host technology-based initiatives in many fields, especially health and behavioral sciences.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: 'We Established the Center with Our Own Resources'
Starting his speech by stating that they have been carrying out small-scale studies as a pre-incubation center for many years, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, 'We established the R&D and Innovation Policies Directorate, and then within a year, we launched the Technology Transfer Office under the directorate. While implementing the project, we could not get support from a relevant public institution; we created all the infrastructure with both human and technology elements using our own resources. Project support units, a patent unit, a copyright unit, and public information units will operate.'
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: 'Universities Have 4 Functions'
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that universities are not just institutions that provide vocational training and continued his words as follows:
'Universities have 4 functions. The first function is to provide education for training professionals. The second function is to conduct research, produce projects, and generate new knowledge. Universities play a role in all global advancements through pioneering studies, project generation, and identifying global trends. Universities are where ideas that determine global trends and enable strategy development accordingly are produced. Universities also have the responsibility to predict the future. Within the scope of this responsibility, they need to think about what might happen in 5-10 years and make preparations, obtain patents, and undertake initiatives. Young people should be taught not only technical skills but also 21st-century life skills such as social skills, emotional skills, innovativeness, and entrepreneurship. The third function of universities is to inform society. Social transformation does not occur without mental transformation. Universities have important roles and responsibilities at this point. The fourth function of universities is to transform knowledge into products, technology, and industry. Collaboration is very important in transforming knowledge into industry.'
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: 'It is Necessary to Create a Climate of Possibility for Young People'
Stating that they have prepared software with academics at the university, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, 'We have a software that we define as a project tracking system. Very important projects related to measuring human behavior, the details of which we cannot share for now due to confidentiality agreements, are also on the way. Children want to produce projects and are very excited. We also need to create the atmosphere and climate of possibility that future Nobel candidates need. Within that climate of possibility, we can identify areas of interest and progress. The purpose of this incubation center is to create a climate of possibility. I can say that our greatest capital is to work and set our goals. We need to enjoy overcoming obstacles while working because when a person wants to do something, it doesn't come ready-made. Fate presents opportunities to people. Opportunities come to a person after they strive and take a position. It is necessary to move forward by evaluating these opportunities. Asking for help from fate means taking a position at the right time, in the right place, and in the right way.'
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: 'We Became an Inspiration for Teknofest'
Stating that they organized the Science and Idea Festival for the first time in 2013 with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, 'The point we focused on most at the festival was artificial intelligence. The Üsküdar District Governorship also supported the project. The excitement of high school students was worth seeing. We suggested doing this project nationwide, and while waiting for a response, we saw science festivals and then Teknofest throughout the country. The project idea was actually ours. It was gratifying that it benefited Turkey.'
Üsküdar District Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek: 'Very Good Results Will Emerge From Here'
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Üsküdar District Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek said that as Üsküdar district, they host 35 thousand higher education students in 7 different universities, and 95 thousand secondary and high school students. Stating that this figure is more than the population of some provinces in Anatolia, Demiryürek said, 'These universities in our district are valuable universities of our country, and Üsküdar also has a special feature. Although we are an ancient district in terms of our foundation, we are one of the historical centers of Istanbul. Our location is not suitable for industry. Therefore, there are no industrial organizations. However, the headquarters of the holdings that direct and manage those industrial organizations are with us. Almost all of the major holdings that direct the Turkish economy today are headquartered in Üsküdar. We have such an accumulation, especially concentrated in the Altunizade Nakkaştepe region. We have universities, we have business people. We have corporate structures. This accumulation also needs to turn into a synergy. Our esteemed professor is taking a lead with his team. Hopefully, very beneficial results will emerge from here. Good results will emerge. With these feelings and thoughts, I wish everyone well.'
Üsküdar University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk and R&D and Innovation Policies Director Meltem Bayraktar also gave speeches at the opening ceremony of the BrainPark Entrepreneurship and Incubation Center, which was attended by Üsküdar University Secretary General Selçuk Uysaler, Koçak Farma İlaç ve Kimya Sanayi company Board Chairman Ender Koçak, KOSGEB İmes Provincial Directorate representatives, and numerous entrepreneurs.
With the BrainPark Incubation Center;
In the center, which offers training on the entrepreneurial journey, entrepreneurial ecosystem meetings, investor relations, mentorship support from successful business people, comfortable working spaces, and many other opportunities; within the scope of entrepreneurship services, innovative business ideas will be supported in areas such as entrepreneurship training, acceleration camps, mentorship sessions, access to investment networks, preparation for investment processes, support for opening up to international markets, and intellectual and industrial property rights management consultancy.