Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) witnessed a moment of pride in an organization which brings young people together who lead the digital future of Türkiye. Duygu Kaçar, Muhammet Gürül, and Fatih Emre İşgören, students of the Department of Computer Engineering at BEUN Faculty of Engineering, won the prize of 300000 Turkish Liras achieving a great success with the “CYBERKIDS” project they developed for the “Leaders of Tomorrow’s Technology” competition, which is organized for the second time this year to support the future technology leaders by Turkcell.
The award ceremony was held in İstanbul with wide participation from university students across Türkiye. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Industry and Technology Fatih Kacır, General Manager of Turkcell Ali Taha Koç, Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, academics, sector representatives, university students and many citizens.
During the event which awarded the innovative ideas that transformed technology into social benefit, “CYBERKIDS” project developed by BEUN students was awarded in the “Social Literacy” category. The project aims to raise awareness against threats such as cyber bullying, data breaches, digital manipulation, and phishing encountered by children as the age children use the internet decreases. The project, which was prepared through educational methods according to the age and cognitive development level of the children, contributes to raising digitally aware generations in the subject of digital safety.
In his opening speech emphasizing that Turkcell has been pioneering the digital transformation of Türkiye for more than 30 years, Ali Taha Koç, General Manager of Turkcell, stated that the real value of technology emerges when it touches human life. Highlighting that the projects developed by the youth are significant to the Türkiye’s technology ecosystem, Koç noted that they will continue to support innovative ideas.
The success achieved by BEUN students was widely appreciated and their social benefit focused technological approach was regarded as a model example by the participants.
Rector Özölçer: “Each Innovation of Our Youth Strengthens Türkiye’s Technological Goals”
In his remarks on the award ceremony, Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated his pride and satisfaction and added:
“It is a source of pride for us that our valuable students of BEUN Computer Engineering, Duygu Kaçar, Muhammet Gürül, and Fatih Emre İsgören achieved great success in such a prestigious organization. It is extremely important in today’s world to develop projects that build the future and provide solutions to social problems, along with developing technology. ‘CYBERKIDS’ project developed by our students is such a significant gain in this respect. Aiming to raise awareness among children against threats they might encounter in the digital world, this project is the product of a socially responsible and visionary approach. It is a source of hope for us that university students produce such quality projects that bring technology and social benefit together.
I extend my gratitude to the Minister of Industry and Technology Mr. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, who lead such a visionary platform where young people can realize their dreams. I would also like to thank General Manager of Turkcell Mr. Ali Taha Koç, for his support for our students, and Turkcell community. I wholeheartedly congratulate our students on their success and thank all esteemed academics at the Faculty of Engineering who contributed to their education. Each project created by our youth in the field of technology is a strong step into the future. Each young person is the holder of strong ideas that will shape our future. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we will continue to support our students to develop ideas. We will continue to raise the youth that will contribute to the vision of Türkiye Century.”
