Artificial Intelligence and R&D Gathering at GTU

April 25, 2025 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations

The Artificial Intelligence and R&D Workshop organized by Gebze Technical University (GTU) Technology Transfer Office (TTO) is held with the participation of former Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Hasan Büyükdede. The event brings together representatives from academia and industry to discuss Türkiye’s digital transformation process, the integration of artificial intelligence into industry, and collaboration opportunities.

Held with Broad Participation

The workshop welcomed GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar, Hasan Büyükdede from Hidromode Hydraulic Machinery Industry Inc. and former Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, GTU Vice-Rectors Prof. Elif Damla Arısan and Prof. Mahmut Durmuş, GTU Faculty Member and Teknopark Istanbul General Manager Prof. Abdurrahman Akyol, GTU TTO General Manager Önder Başkaya, academics, institutional and organizational representatives, industry professionals, company executives, members of the press, and students.

A Workshop Shaping the Future: Artificial Intelligence and R&D Together at GTU

The Artificial Intelligence and R&D Workshop, held at the GTU Congress and Cultural Center on Thursday, April 24, 2025, began with a moment of silence and the national anthem, followed by opening speeches. During the event, former Deputy Minister Hasan Büyükdede shared key insights on the role of artificial intelligence in industry and university-industry collaboration.

A New Era in Industry Through a Shift in Mindset

In his speech, Büyükdede emphasized that digital transformation is inevitable if Türkiye is to maintain its production power. “Our universities are now telling industrialists, ‘Come, let’s share our resources.’ This represents a major shift in mindset,” he said. Highlighting that AI and automation have become indispensable for Türkiye's industry, he warned, “If we fail to adopt efficient production techniques, we risk losing our markets.”

AI Support from GTU to SMEs

GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar stated in his speech that artificial intelligence is no longer just a transformation tool for large corporations, but also for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Emphasizing that GTU possesses the knowledge and infrastructure to lead this transformation, he said, “We offer AI solutions for every field from production to marketing. University-industry collaboration is the key to this process.” He also noted that GTU supports the sector with its interdisciplinary master’s program in artificial intelligence, training qualified professionals for the future.

GTU Shapes Industry with Global Achievements

GTU Vice-Rector Prof. Elif Damla Arısan introduced the university’s R&D vision and its strong collaborations with industry. “We are ready to contribute to industry with our technical solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, defense technologies, and biotechnology,” she said. She also highlighted the university’s international achievements and student-centered approach, noting that GTU is ranked among the world’s top 500 universities and that graduates, on average, find employment within 3.5 months.

The Future of AI Discussed in Panel

In the second part of the event, a panel titled “Artificial Intelligence, R&D, and University-Industry Collaboration” was moderated by GTU Faculty of Engineering Dean Prof. Yusuf Sinan Akgül. Akgül noted that artificial intelligence is transforming fields ranging from science to industry, arts to finance. Evaluating the current state of collaboration between academia and industry in Türkiye, he emphasized the importance of raising awareness, organizing training programs, developing joint projects, and providing internship opportunities.

Industry Representatives Emphasize AI and Collaboration

The panel featured speakers such as Şahin Danış, Managing Partner of Augmency, Tekin Altun, Manager at Turkcell Global Bilgi, and Prof. Gökhan Bayar, General Manager of Bayar Robotics. Participants shared their knowledge and experiences on AI applications, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and university collaboration. The event concluded with a Q&A session.