Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) has made another significant investment that will increase the production capacity of young people in science and technology in line with the Türkiye Century vision. The National Technology Workshops, implemented with the support of TÜBİTAK, were inaugurated with the participation of Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and with broad participation.
The program, held at the Doç. Dr. Ali Arslan Conference Hall, was attended by Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, AK Party Zonguldak Member of Parliament Saffet Bozkurt, Zonguldak Chief Public Prosecutor Gökhan Kapağan, BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Şenol Hakan Kutoğlu, Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal, and Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz, AK Party Zonguldak Provincial Chairman Mustafa Çağlayan, members of the provincial protocol, mayors, provincial directors, academics, students, and numerous guests.
Minister Kacır: “National Technology Workshops Are Centers Where Young People Who Will Build the Türkiye of the Future Will Be Educated”
Speaking at the program, Minister Kacır drew attention to Zonguldak’s distinguished place in Türkiye’s history of industrialization, stating that Zonguldak, the city of coal, labor, and production, continues to make strong contributions to the goals of the Türkiye Century today.
Noting that the seven investments inaugurated would make significant contributions to the development of the city, Minister Kacır stated that hundreds of projects had been supported in Zonguldak through the Western Black Sea Development Agency to date, while significant investment applications had been received in many areas, from high value-added production to tourism, under the Local Development Initiative Program.
Referring also to Devrek canes, Devrek sour cherry, geopark studies, reverse engineering laboratories, rural development projects, and industrial investments, Minister Kacır stated that the National Technology Workshop established at BEUN with approximately 30 million Turkish liras in TÜBİTAK support would serve as an important center where young people can develop themselves in software, artificial intelligence, robotics, electronics, and project development. He continued:
“The young people who will be trained in this workshop will bring Zonguldak’s culture of production together with next-generation technologies and will make significant contributions to the National Technology Initiative and the goals of the Türkiye Century through the projects they develop. With these thoughts, I hope that the National Technology Workshop will be beneficial to Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, and our country.”
Governor Hacıbektaşoğlu: “Our University Is One of the Scientific and Production Centers of Our City”
In his speech, Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu stated that the National Technology Workshops are a major gain for both the University and the city, and thanked Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır for his support.
Stating that BEUN has become one of Zonguldak’s most important assets in recent years through its academic achievements, scientific studies, and strong collaborations with the city, Governor Hacıbektaşoğlu congratulated Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and all the academic staff who contributed, expressing his belief that the workshops would make significant contributions to students’ scientific production.
Rector Özölçer: “Today, We Are Opening the Doors to a New Beginning for Our Young People Who Research, Design, and Produce”
Delivering the opening speech of the program, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer emphasized the strategic importance of the National Technology Initiative for Türkiye’s future and said:
“Under the Türkiye Century vision led by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the National Technology Initiative is a historic step that strengthens our country’s independence in science, technology, and production. The greatest strength of this initiative is our noble Turkish youth, who possess a strong national consciousness, full self-confidence, and have made serving their nation a principle of their lives. Today, here, we are opening the doors to a new beginning for our young people who research, design, produce, and will shape our National Technology Initiative.
We are delighted to bring the National Technology Workshop, which will contribute to the Türkiye Century’s goals in science, technology, and production, to our University. Thanks to the National Technology Workshops Project, implemented under the leadership of our Ministry of Industry and Technology and TÜBİTAK, our students will gain the skills to combine their theoretical knowledge with practice, experience a culture of research and development, embrace teamwork, and proudly represent our University in national and international technology competitions. With these thoughts, I would like to thank, first and foremost, our Minister Mr. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, our Governor Mr. Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, our esteemed Members of Parliament, and everyone who contributed for their valuable support in bringing the National Technology Workshop to our University. I hope that the workshop will be beneficial to our University, Zonguldak, and Türkiye.”
Emphasis on Collaborations to Strengthen the Development of the City
As part of the program, Zonguldak Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Metin Demir and Western Black Sea Development Agency Secretary General Mehmet Çetinkaya also addressed the participants, stating that the investments would make significant contributions to Zonguldak’s industrial, technological, and economic development. The speakers noted that the National Technology Workshops would create a strong production ecosystem, particularly enabling young people to transform their innovative ideas into projects, and wished that the investments would be beneficial.
National Technology Workshops Officially Opened with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Following the opening speeches, the official opening of the National Technology Workshops was held with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by protocol members. Afterwards, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, and accompanying protocol members visited the National Technology Workshops, which have begun operating within the Faculty of Engineering. Minister Kacır received information about the activities to be carried out in the workshops, examined the projects prepared by the students, spoke with the young people, wished them success, and took a commemorative photograph.
