Multi-layered university-industry cooperation protocol from YTU and ISO

A comprehensive protocol that will take university-industry cooperation to a new dimension was signed between Yıldız Technical University (YTU) and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO). The signing ceremony, led by YTU Rector Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik and ISO Board of Directors Chairman Erdal Bahçıvan, underlined the determination of the two institutions to bring together scientific production and industrial power on the same ground.

In order to make the interaction between university and industry permanent, a university-industry cooperation protocol was signed between Yıldız Technical University and the Istanbul Chamber of Industry. The signing ceremony, held at Otağ-ı Hümayun in YTÜ’s historical Davutpaşa Campus, was attended by senior executives of both institutions such as YTÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik, ISO Board of Directors Chairman Erdal Bahçıvan, ISO Board of Directors Members, YTÜ Research and Planning Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Yılmaz, YTÜ Yıldız Teknopark General Manager Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Garip, and Deputy General Manager Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zafer Gemici. The protocol sets concrete goals under three main headings: Education and Training, R&D and Innovation, and Interaction and Collaboration Development.

'WE ARE ESTABLISHING A MULTI-LAYERED STRUCTURE OUTSIDE OF CLASSICAL MODELS'

Speaking at the opening of the protocol ceremony, YTU Rector Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik said, “With the protocol we signed with ISO, one of the long-established institutions of our country, we have initiated the process of establishing a multi-layered, performance-oriented and student-academic friendly structure, unlike traditional university-industry collaborations. Our main goal is to establish a qualified, sustainable and impact-oriented collaboration between our university and industrialists, and to increase our country's R&D, P&D, innovation and sustainability-oriented transformation capacity. In this context, we will implement the ISO Young Researcher Program, open the doors of industry to our students with our COOP model and enable our academics to develop innovative solutions for current problems.”

'WE WILL TRAIN THE INDUSTRIALISTS OF THE FUTURE'

Underlining that YTU students will gain long-term internships and field experience in companies within the scope of the protocol, Prof. Dr. Debik said, “Our students will be able to conduct theses and project applications through the ISO Young Researcher Program in the new term. Our academics will be able to take part in joint R&D and P&D projects for the needs of companies. With the systematic studies we will conduct under three main headings, namely Education and Training, R&D and Innovation, and Interaction and Collaboration Development, we will both increase the contribution of academic knowledge to economic development and train the industrialists of the future together with ISO.”

'WE ARE BRINGING TOGETHER ISO'S INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE AND YTU'S SCIENTIFIC ACCUMULATION'

Speaking at the protocol signing ceremony, ISO Board of Directors Chairman Erdal Bahçıvan said, “Strong collaborations established with universities for our industrial organizations are one of the most important elements that provide sustainable advantage in global competition. For this reason, we bear the responsibility of taking university-industry collaboration even further, not only with project-based studies, but also with a common vision, strategy and understanding. The protocol we signed aims to facilitate the access of the industry to qualified information and qualified personnel, while providing our industry with a structure that can produce highly competitive, innovative products. With this collaboration, we will ensure the development of innovative applications and products that can provide solutions to our industrialists. In addition, we aim to support the industrialists of the future with the collaborations we will establish in the field of entrepreneurship. I wholeheartedly believe that this strategic partnership, which brings together ISO’s industrial experience and YTU’s scientific knowledge, will add great strength to our country’s industrial ecosystem.”

A NEW GENERATION COOPERATION MODEL OUTSIDE OF CLASSICAL MODELS

The collaboration between YTU and ISO promises a dynamic structure that goes one step beyond conventional university-industry partnerships and focuses on concrete outputs. The protocol prepares the ground for a multifaceted interaction by covering all components of the ecosystem, from joint thesis projects to entrepreneurship programs, mentoring activities to sectoral seminars, internship and employment opportunities, with innovative programs such as the ISO Young Researcher Program. In addition, organizing joint workshops and certification programs to support the increase of green-collar competencies in industry and university is among the priority goals.

A NEW HORIZON IN R&D AND INNOVATION

One of the main goals of the protocol is to maximize the R&D and innovation capacity of the industry. In this context, ISO member companies will be able to directly benefit from YTU's deep academic expertise in engineering and science and the advanced technology laboratory, testing and analysis services that are aimed to be expanded. High-tech production will be encouraged with joint projects and the focus will be on increasing Türkiye's production rate in medium-high and high-tech areas.

QUALIFIED HUMAN RESOURCES ARE INTEGRATED INTO THE INDUSTRY

The collaboration also offers a radical solution to the problem of qualified human resources, which is the most important need of the industry. Special education programs, certificate programs and joint curriculum studies designed according to the current needs of the sector will be carried out within the university. While students gain industrial experience before graduating with internship and project-based work opportunities through mechanisms such as the COOP Program, industrialists will have the opportunity to discover and add future talents early. In addition, representatives of ISO member companies will be able to transfer their experiences directly to students by providing sectoral training and seminars at the university on a voluntary basis.

ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE IS COMING OFF THE SHELF AND INTO PRODUCTION

The protocol also paves the way for the application of hundreds of academic studies and patents conducted under the roof of Yıldız Technical University to industry. The protocol will establish effective mechanisms that will enable scientific research to be transformed into concrete projects and high value-added, innovative products. In this way, both the knowledge produced by the university will be transformed into value and the industry will have the opportunity to constantly renew itself by being instantly informed about current scientific developments. This strategic partnership will bring together ISO's vision of developing Turkish industry on a global scale and YTU's mission of serving society and science on a common ground, thus providing a strong momentum for Türkiye's sustainable development goals.

DHA

Reporter: News Center