Turkish youth mark nation's centenary at Teknofest

Taking part in Türkiye’s annual premier technology and aerospace event, Teknofest, university students have said they are proud to be contributing to the country's national technology initiative as the nation celebrates its centenary.

“It makes me proud to be able to make a small contribution to Türkiye’s national technology initiative,” Yagmur Gonca Saracoglu, a 22-year-old student, said during this year's third edition of the event which kicked off on Wednesday in the Aegean province of Izmir.

Saracoglu studies software development at Istanbul Aydin University and has already attended the second edition of Teknofest 2023 in Istanbul. She is “even more excited,” as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Türkiye.

She is part of her university’s Metapiens team which developed a 3D virtual assistant, Ayla, that helps people with time management.

Saracoglu also highlighted the importance of meeting with possible investors during the event, saying: “Businesspeople and representatives of important companies have been visiting us, and we had the chance to discuss possible cooperation and exchange opinions.”

Türkiye's National Technology Initiative aims to enhance high-value production and raise its share of technology exports through private-sector collaboration.

Opportunity to meet investors

Umutcan Akguz, 21, who studies electrical and electronic engineering at Ankara-based Hacettepe University, is a regular at Teknofest and has participated in all three editions of this year's event, including in Istanbul and Ankara.

He is part of the university’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) society. They have already won several awards at Teknofest.

"During Teknofest, we interact with other students as well as people from other institutions. We share our projects with them and get their opinion," Akguz said at his university's stand.

They have already met a high-ranking official from Türkiye's tech giant Turkish Aerospace Inc (TAI), he explained enthusiastically.

Another participant at the event is Omer, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student at Istanbul Technical University.

He is also part of the university’s Facilis Automobile Team, which was established in 2011 to participate in the Shell Eco-marathon, a worldwide energy efficiency competition.

Noting that so far he has had a great time at Teknofest by meeting students of all ages, Omer said: “It is great to see how they are encouraged and interested in technology.”

According to Omer, projects at Teknofest need investment support and the event is a good opportunity for networking.