Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) became a focal point for thousands of visitors at TEKNOFEST Southeast, held from September 30 to October 4, 2026, with its stand and autonomous vehicle, which won the “Most Original Software Award.”
The BEUN stand attracted great interest from technology enthusiasts of all ages. The University’s undergraduate and graduate programs, campus life, and awards achieved in TEKNOFEST competitions over the years were introduced at the stand. Visitors also had the opportunity to examine the prototypes developed by students of the Faculty of Engineering on site.
ZBEÜ OVAT Team Receives the “Most Original Software Award” and Attracts Great Interest
Among the projects exhibited at the festival area, the ZBEÜ OVAT Team, which won the “Most Original Software Award” in the Original Vehicle Category of the 2026 Robotaxi-Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition, received great appreciation. Many protocol members, particularly Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors, and Şahinbey Mayor Mehmet Tahmazoğlu, visited the area where the autonomous vehicle of the ZBEÜ OVAT Team was exhibited and examined the vehicle on site. They congratulated the team on its achievement and wished them continued success.
Visits to the Stand from State Officials and BEUN Alumni
The stand of BEUN, one of the stakeholders of TEKNOFEST, hosted many distinguished guests throughout the festival. President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar visited the stand and received information about the scientific studies being carried out and the award-winning autonomous vehicle project.
Former Minister of Industry and Technology of the 66th Government Mustafa Varank, General Manager of the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK) Muharrem Kiraz, and Elazığ Deputy Governor İbrahim Ergin, a 2016 graduate of the BEUN Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, were also among those who visited the stand. Visitors received information from academics from the Corporate Communications Office and Zonguldak Technopark about BEUN’s ongoing projects, achievements, student activities and campus life.
President Erdoğan: “Türkiye’s Future Is in Safe Hands”
On the fourth day of the festival, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the festival area and met with young people who ranked in technology competitions and the rectors of stakeholder universities. In his address, where the emphasis on unity and solidarity stood out, President Erdoğan expressed the following:
“We are once again watching with pride the level Türkiye has reached in technology and the qualified works produced by the TEKNOFEST generation. I sincerely congratulate all our young people who are exhibiting their products and turning their dreams into reality at TEKNOFEST Southeast. The magnificent atmosphere here at GAP Airport, and the determination, excitement and resolve of our young people here clearly show us that, thank God, Türkiye’s future is in safe hands.”
Following the speeches, awards were presented to the teams that ranked in the competitions. A TEKNOFEST family photo was taken with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and state officials, as well as the rectors of stakeholder universities, including BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ulusoy.
Rector Ulusoy: “Our Students and Graduates Are Writing Success Stories All Across Türkiye”
Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ulusoy, who took a close interest in the young people of Şanlıurfa during the TEKNOFEST Southeast program, made the following remarks regarding the event:
“We were pleased to meet with our young people, who are the guarantee of our future, and prospective students who are considering choosing our University at the TEKNOFEST Southeast festival held in the ancient city of Şanlıurfa. At our stands, we introduced the educational quality, research vision and student achievements of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. I can clearly say that our graduates are today undertaking important duties across our country and writing success stories that make us proud. We invited the young people of Şanlıurfa to become part of the BEUN family.
We were also proud to see our valued students and graduates who visited our stand here. We came together with our fellow citizens from Zonguldak. We were happy to host them here, and we talked about our city together. At the same time, we visited the stands of our stakeholder universities, particularly Karadeniz Technical University and Sanko University, and came together with our valued rectors and students.”
“Today, we also listened to the historic addresses of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which inspire our young people and broaden their horizons. Hopefully, TEKNOFEST generation will leave its mark on the Türkiye Century through domestic and national initiatives in every field, from the defense industry to artificial intelligence, from autonomous systems to modern medical technologies, and will carry our country to a position of being a role model in the world.
On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who illuminates the path of our young people with the vision of the National Technology Initiative. I would like to thank Mr. Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors, and the TEKNOFEST family, who contributed to the organization of such a meaningful event by bringing the TEKNOFEST tradition together in Şanlıurfa this year; our President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and the entire YÖK family, who always support us in every field. I sincerely thank our fellow citizens from Şanlıurfa who showed great interest in our stand, our valued academics who represented our University in the best possible way here, and all our students, particularly our ZBEÜ OVAT Team, who made us proud by winning the ‘Most Original Software Award,’ and wish them success and ease in their work.”
