The Science and Idea Festival, organized for high school students in cooperation with Üsküdar University and the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, will be held for the 9th time this year. This year's theme for the festival has been determined as “Your Idea, Your Invention!”
The protocol for the “9th Science and Idea Festival,” which will take place between May 30-31, 2024, was signed by Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Mücahit Yentür and Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “I have great faith in the youth of Turkey. Generation Z is always criticized, but if we guide them well and set a good example for them, they will achieve great things.”
The “Science and Idea Festival,” organized for high school students in cooperation with Üsküdar University and the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, is being held for the 9th time this year.
Before the protocol signing ceremony of the “9th Science and Idea Festival,” held at Üsküdar University’s NP Health Campus Avicenna Auditorium, opening speeches were delivered by Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Mücahit Yentür, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, and Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yentür: “Seeds sown with knowledge will sprout.”
In the program attended by district branch managers and administrators of national education working across Istanbul, Istanbul Provincial Director of National Education Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Mücahit Yentür stated that merely transferring information and recounting existing knowledge is not very meaningful, emphasizing the importance for Turkey to strongly realize the age of information and technology in a changing and developing world.
Highlighting that seeds sown with knowledge will sprout, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Mücahit Yentür said, “We will naturally change, develop through change, and mature through development. This maturation will open the doors to new ideas, new inventions, and new discoveries for us.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Mücahit Yentür also noted that the ideal student model in the new world is one who can analyze and synthesize, generate new knowledge from existing information, seek ways to learn, is curious, and pursues their interests. He added that a good teacher is an inspiring person.
Prof. Dr. Güngör: “We want to be the Milky Way with you.”
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör also stated in her speech that universities come to the forefront with their educational and instructional activities, expressing that Üsküdar University is a star rising on the horizons of Üsküdar and aims to be a shining star for Turkey and the world in the coming years.
Prof. Dr. Güngör said, “We do not want to be a single star shining alone in the sky; we want to be the Milky Way together, with all of you.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “Permanent learning occurs when it is fun and disciplined.”
Finally, Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Head of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan took the stage during the opening speeches, sharing the story of how the Science and Idea Festival idea emerged. Tarhan stated that after the neuroscience revolution in the 1990s, research focused on how the human brain learns best, and it was observed that permanent learning occurs when it is fun and disciplined.
In this context, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the Science and Idea Festival brings together fun and discipline, noting that the first one was held in 2013, and two festivals were not held during the Covid period and due to the February 6th earthquakes.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan reminded that the idea of combining technology with the festival, the Teknofest project, also emerged from this project, saying, “It has been a good thing for Turkey. The reason this festival is still ongoing is the youth.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also noted that young people are making projects with enthusiasm and eagerness, stating that the TÜBİTAK panel system is applied, where students come with their projects and explain their science, social, and health-related projects individually to instructors.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “The theme of the first festival in 2013 was ‘Artificial Intelligence’.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also reminded that the theme of the first festival in 2013 was ‘Artificial Intelligence,’ noting that the Blue Brain Project was on the agenda at that time.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that ChatGPT was presented as a solution to loneliness, pointed to the abundance of projects received concerning artificial intelligence.
Tarhan: “Young people seek innocence, honesty, and good people.”
“I have great faith in the youth of Turkey. Generation Z is always criticized, but they also have weaknesses due to their age… If we guide them well and set a good example for them, they will achieve great things,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan, also stating that young people seek innocence, honesty, and good people.
Tarhan also explained that Generation Z has emerged globally, taking open, transparent, and honest people as role models, and devaluing those who do not possess these qualities.
Tarhan emphasized that the 20th century was the age of information, and the 21st century would be the age of wisdom, stating that they prepared the book 'Science of Happiness' as a result of a 5-year study and made it available to students.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that something needs to be done to strengthen the mental health of young people, noting that the 'Science of Happiness' book will facilitate the work of guidance counselors.
Prof. Dr. Konuk: “We must teach young people to dream.”
During the project promotion meeting, Üsküdar University Vice Rector and Science and Idea Festival Coordinator Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk also delivered an “Information Presentation on the Science and Idea Festival.” In his speech, Prof. Dr. Konuk referred to Einstein’s quote, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world,” stating that dreams allow the brain to rest and increase creativity.
Prof. Dr. Konuk said, “We must teach young people to dream.”
Prof. Dr. Konuk: “The ‘Deliler Ocağı’ (House of the Mad Ones) consists of people who have dedicated their entire existence, soul, body, everything to their country.”
Prof. Dr. Konuk reminded that the “Deliler Ocağı” existed during the Ottoman Empire, stating, “The Deliler Ocağı consists of people who have dedicated their entire existence, soul, body, everything to their country.”
Prof. Dr. Konuk explained that the Deliler Ocağı, along with the Akıncı (raider) forces, prepared the conquests at the front of the army, asking, “As a citizen of this country and a person who has dedicated his life to this country, I want to ask you this: ‘Are you willing to enroll in this Deliler Ocağı for a New Turkey?’” The answer from the audience was “Yes, we are.”
Wishing for the New Turkey century to become the New Turkey millennium, Prof. Dr. Konuk said, “Let a new world be established, and in that world, let us be a country that is looked up to. The most important duty for us to become this country is to become a member of the Deliler Ocağı and work there like a madman.”
“My Science and Project Adventure in Üsküdar”
Dr. Cihan Taştan, a faculty member from Üsküdar University's Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Director of TRGENMER, also gave information about his projects in his presentation titled “My Science and Project Adventure in Üsküdar,” explaining that the first domestic gene and cancer treatment, along with DMD Gene therapy, has reached a certain stage.
Dr. Cihan Taştan, who also explained that they are working on domestic SMA gene therapy, reminded that the Turkish astronaut participating in space travel will carry out the “Message (Microgravity Associated Genetics) Scientific Mission” project developed by Üsküdar University's Transgenic Cell Technologies and Epigenetic Application and Research Center (TRGENMER) at the International Space Station.
Dr. Cihan Taştan also pointed out the importance of involving high school students in projects within the university infrastructure.
Festival protocol signed
Following the presentations, the protocol for the “9th Science and Idea Festival,” whose theme this year is “Your Idea, Your Invention!”, was signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Mücahit Yentür and Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
A group family photo was taken during the program where dinner was served.
The deadline for project applications for Turkey's first Science and Idea Festival, which will take place between May 30-31, 2024, is March 15, 2024. A total of 300,000 TL in awards will be distributed to students who rank in all categories at the festival.
