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March 31, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
Gebze Technical University (GTU) hosts the event titled “The Power Is in Youth, the Future Is in Kocaeli,” which brings together young people’s potential with industry and academia. The event also features the public introduction of the “Talent-Based Local Development Model” implemented in Kocaeli.
The event, held at the Red Hall of the GTU Congress and Cultural Center, was attended by Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar, Rector of GTU; Prof. Elif Damla Arısan and Prof. Hasari Çelebi, Vice-Rectors of GTU; Prof. Elif Öğüt, Vice-Rector of Kocaeli University; Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, PhD, President of Kocaeli Chamber of Industry; Seçkin Karataş, General Manager of the Community Volunteers Foundation; Levent Kömür, CEO of Uludağ Beverage; as well as academics, students, and industry representatives. The event addressed the scope and implementation processes of the model, which aims to integrate young people into industry through internship experiences aligned with their talents.
“Four Forces, One Vision” The event began with an opening and a promotional film screening under the theme “Four Forces, One Vision.” In his opening remarks, GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar emphasized that social investments are as critical as economic and technical investments. Noting that a portion of the young population in Türkiye is neither in education nor employment despite a significant labor shortage in industry, Mantar described this situation as a major sociological contradiction. He stressed that professions must not be perceived as status tools, highlighting that every job is valuable and that working is a virtue. He also stated that universities and such collaborations contribute to cultural development while enhancing social welfare and economic efficiency.
In her speech, Prof. Elif Öğüt, Vice-Rector of Kocaeli University, described the model as a strategic step that connects young people with the business world. She noted that the aim is to strengthen students not only through theoretical knowledge but also through internships, practical training, and mentorship processes, thereby facilitating industry’s access to a qualified workforce. She added that, as a university, they offer broad opportunities to students through national internship programs and career events.
Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, PhD, President of Kocaeli Chamber of Industry, highlighted the shortage of qualified labor in industry and stated that they have been implementing various projects for a long time to address this gap. Emphasizing the importance of university–industry collaboration, he underlined that direct engagement of young people with the sector during their education is critical for both individual development and the national economy.
Seçkin Karataş, General Manager of the Community Volunteers Foundation, emphasized that the right experiences are crucial for young people to discover their potential. He stated that the developed model not only offers internship opportunities but also includes mentorship and competency development processes. Karataş noted that university–industry collaboration will play a key role in helping young people adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Perspective As part of the event, Levent Kömür, CEO of Uludağ Beverage, delivered a presentation titled “A Digital CEO Among Us… Why Do I Have an AI Twin?” Addressing the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on language- and thought-based processes, Kömür introduced the concept of a “digital twin.” He emphasized that AI must be viewed not as a competitor but as a partner supporting decision-making processes, adding that the combination of human intuition and the analytical power of AI will shape next-generation leadership. His talk was followed with great interest by students.
A New Development Model in Kocaeli The model, implemented through the collaboration of the Community Volunteers Foundation, Kocaeli Chamber of Industry, Kocaeli University, and Gebze Technical University, is carried out within the scope of the “Kocaeli Talent-Based Local Development Model Cooperation Protocol.” The protocol aims to reveal young people’s potential by bringing together Kocaeli’s industrial strength with academic knowledge.
Within this framework, the model seeks to match students with companies based on their competencies, enable companies to access qualified interns, and ensure that universities deliver a more integrated education process with the business world. It also plans to prepare students for professional life through mentorship and development programs.
A Multi-Stakeholder and Sustainable Structure It was emphasized that the model is implemented through a multi-stakeholder structure that brings together civil society, industry, and academia. The Community Volunteers Foundation leads field implementation, the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry ensures active participation of its member companies, while GTU and Kocaeli University provide academic consultancy and educational integration. The model is planned to be launched initially with more than 1,000 students and over 100 companies, with the goal of reaching a broader audience in the future.
Digital Platform and Mentorship Support Through the digital platform to be established within the scope of the model, student–company–mentor matching will be carried out based on scientific criteria. Throughout the process, students’ development will be monitored, and experts from academia and industry will provide mentorship support.
Broad Impact and Local Development Goal It was stated that the Local Governance Board, established within the framework of the protocol, will regularly monitor the implementation of the model and share its outcomes with the public. Developed based on experiences gained from similar collaboration approaches previously implemented in different cities, the model is planned to be expanded across Türkiye in the coming period.
The event, hosted by GTU, stood out with its holistic approach that places young people’s potential at the center and aims to contribute to local development. |
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