Turkish-German Science, Research and Innovation Year Inaugurated

Inauguration of Turkish-German Science, Research and Innovation Year, intended to develop the cooperation of Turkey and Germany in the field of science, research and innovation, was carried out with participation of Fikri Işık, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology of Turkey and Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka, Minister of Education and Research of Germany. TÜBA (Turkish Academy of Sciences) President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar, TÜBA Council Member our Rector Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev, Turkey’s Ambassador in Berlin Hüseyin Avni Karslıoğlu, Germany’s Ambassador in Ankara Ebehard Pohl, YÖK (Higher Education Board of Turkey)President Prof. Dr. Gökhan Çetinsaya, Science, Industry and Technology Ministry Undersecretary Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, TÜBİTAK (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) President Prof. Dr. Yücel Altunbaşak and many parliamentarians, rectors, scientists, invitees and businessmen from Turkey and Germany attended the ceremony and opening events organized in Berlin. 

At the ceremony Ministers of both countries, Işık and Wanda signed a declaration of collective intention aiming the stimulation of collaboration between two countries. 

Moreover, to augment the cooperation of institutions of both countries continuously, mutual agreements signed separately by President of Institution of Research of Germany Peter Strohschneider, TÜBİTAK President Yücel Altunbaşak,  President of Academic Exchange Service of Germany (DAAD) Margret Wintermantel and President of YÖK Prof. Dr. Gökhan Çetinsaya. 
Minister Fikri Işık: “Germany is one of the primary countries where Turkey will assign a Science Attache.” At press conference arranged in the scope of Turkish-German Science Year, he pointed out the historical dimension of very strong relations among Turkey and Germany and stated that this serves as an important foundation for future relations of both countries. He said that they aim to improve the cooperation between academicians, universities and research centers of both countries; the official opening of the Turkish-German University will be in this year; he emphasized that other than diplomatic relations between two countries, they have the desire to escalate to higher levels the relations in the field of science and technology; he said that Germany will be one of the primary countries where Turkey will post a Science Attache and this way there will be stronger and healthier relations between two countries. He stated that there are more than 5.500 German companies active in Turkey, some of them own R&D centers and will undertake crucial roles at the events of science year and in acceleration on the transfer process of technology; he said that events and works that will be carried out in the frame of Turkish-German Science Year will secure collaborations in the field of research, education and science in long term. He stated that new subjects arising from research and projects will have the science diplomacy between two countries gain profundity; Işık:”There will be workshops on these subject matters: Automotive, chemistry, bio-technology, nano-technology, logistics, renewable energy source, brain drain and climate changes.”

Johanna Wanka, Minister of Education and Research of Germany emphasizing that together with universities, science institutions and intermediary institutions they put into practice Turkish-German Science year. “Germany and Turkey have been maintaining important relations in this field for many years. I would like to make you remember that during National Socialism period, especially German scientists forced to leave their country, took refuge in Turkey.” Wanka said that this year there will be plenty of activities to be organized in the content of Turkish-German Year declaring that the closing ceremony will take place in Turkey January, 2015. Wanka pointed out the opening of Turkish-German University in İstanbul this year, mentioning the importance the President of Germany attaches to it. 
Within under the motto “Science Unites Nations” organized science year there will be varying programmes and activities. In this context there will be scientific events organized by cooperation of TÜBA and German National Academy Leopoldina.