Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: "Science Festival triggered the birth of Teknofest"

Turkey's first Science and Idea Festival, organized by Üsküdar University for high schools in cooperation with Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, was held for the 10th time. Students from 56 schools across Istanbul, Bursa, Kocaeli and Yalova applied with 534 projects in teams and the winners of the 10th Science and Idea Festival were awarded.

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "I am very hopeful about young people. Young people have embraced their projects with excitement, they have produced ideas. All of them can be useful, projects that can be registered and patented."

Istanbul Deputy Governor Mehmet Sulun: "When an idea kneaded with imagination meets science, it has the power to change the world."

Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: "We have been meeting under the roof of Üsküdar University for 10 years with a focus on science."

The 10th Science and Ideas Festival (BFF) organized by Üsküdar University in cooperation with Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education for high school students hosted colorful moments. The award ceremony of the festival held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus was held at Emir Nebi Conference Hall with the participation of approximately 1200 students and advisors. Students from 56 schools across Istanbul, Bursa, Kocaeli and Yalova applied to the festival, which was organized this year with the motto "Inventor Wins", with 534 projects in teams.

At the 10th Science and Idea Festival, projects focusing on the potential of artificial intelligence in areas such as health, environment, security and education attracted attention. Sustainable products developed from waste materials, health technologies that increase patient comfort and social benefit-oriented projects that prioritize accessibility attracted great attention.

Young inventors, who offered a wide range of solutions from plastic pollution to disaster management, from chronic diseases to equal opportunities in education, made a difference throughout the festival. Organized for 10 years, the festival was completed this year by awarding the scientists and innovative ideas of the future.

At the award ceremony, Istanbul Deputy Governor Mehmet Sülün, Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör and Üsküdar University Vice Rector and BFF Coordinator Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel made speeches.

Deputy Governor Mehmet Sulun: "Every project is a reflection of a curiosity, an ideal and a belief in a better future"

Mehmet Sülün, Deputy Governor of Istanbul, said: "When an idea kneaded with imagination meets science, it has the power to change the world. Seeing our young people here today with the courage to change that world gives us all hope. I believe that the Science and Idea Festival will be a journey that enables our young people to think not only with knowledge but also with heart. Each project is a reflection of a curiosity, an ideal and a belief in a better future. I would like to sincerely thank the architects of this valuable process, all our educators who stand by our young people and guide them, and our contributing institutions. Because with your support, these hopes flourish and these lights shine. I congratulate everyone who contributed to this beautiful day where we applaud the architects of the future, and I wish our young people heartfelt success."

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: "Science Festival triggered the birth of Teknofest"

Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized the contribution of such events to the learning processes of young people and the scientific development of the country.

Stating that the festival was first launched in 2014 based on the finding that the human brain learns best in fun and disciplined environments, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said that this initiative later triggered the birth of Teknofest, one of Turkey's most important technology events.

Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "TEKNOFEST, which we all know today, emerged in Turkey. In fact, it was the Science Festival organized in 2020 that triggered the emergence of this festival. There are really great things being done at TEKNOFEST right now. It opens great horizons especially for young people. Because before a project can emerge, it needs to be imagined."

Dreaming is necessary for projects to emerge

"Emphasizing that in order for projects to emerge, people need to dream for a purpose, Prof. Tarhan gave the example of Newton observing the fall of an apple and finding the law of gravity. Prof. Tarhan stated that there is a long period of thinking and "incubation" behind such great discoveries.

Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that many of the technology valleys established in Turkey have failed to achieve the desired efficiency and emphasized that the success of Silicon Valley in the US depends not only on physical infrastructure but also on the right "mindset", which is a "mental refuge".

Prof. Dr. Tarhan: "Teamwork is the skill of the 21st century"

Underlining that the 21st century skill is teamwork, Prof. Dr. Tarhan expressed his trust and hope in young people in his speech.

Prof. Dr. Tarhan drew attention to the increase in the quality of the projects exhibited at the festival and said, "I am very hopeful about young people. Young people have embraced their projects with excitement, they have produced ideas. All of them can be useful, projects that can be registered and patented."

Stating that Üsküdar University also supports the patent processes of young people, Tarhan underlined the importance of the courage to produce projects and dream.

Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: "We have been meeting under the roof of Üsküdar University for 10 years with a focus on science"

Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör emphasized that the interest of young people in scientific studies and their success in this field is of great importance for the future of both Turkey and the world.

Prof. Dr. Güngör said, "We have been meeting under the roof of Üsküdar University for 10 years with a focus on science, we meet with a focus on projects." Prof. Dr. Güngör stated that life becomes beautiful and meaningful with projects. Stating that Üsküdar University aims to make small touches to the science-oriented projects and lives of young people, Prof. Dr. Güngör said, "We are trying to support you as much as we can as you go through your science-oriented road map."

Üsküdar University is a science and invention production center...

Emphasizing that Üsküdar University is a science and invention production center, Prof. Dr. Güngör said, "We know that humanity is saved by science. We know that humanity achieves freedom through science. With science, there will be a perfect world and a perfect future." He stated that the university has been attaching great importance to scientific production as well as quality education since 2011 and aims to raise young people as competent individuals in the professional field.

Prof. Dr. Güngör said that the projects exhibited at the festival are a product of young people's efforts to transform their ideas into scientific outputs and added: "Today, some of them will be found worthy of an award, but the others will not fail. Others will also be developed. Others will also gain value in other competitions." and congratulated all the participating young people. Prof. Dr. Güngör stated that making a project is a success in itself and that it is admirable for young people to show this courage and said, "Today's world will be more successful and more perfect with entrepreneurial young people and entrepreneurial minds like you."

Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel: "70 percent of young people in Turkey want to start their own business"

Üsküdar University Vice Rector and BFF Coordinator Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel stated that entrepreneurship is not only the basis of economic but also social development and that the right guidance is critical for young entrepreneurs to achieve success.

Stating that 100 million new initiatives are established every year in the world, but a significant number of these initiatives end in failure, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel drew attention to the potential in this field by saying, "In countries where entrepreneurship is successful, the youth unemployment rate is 50% lower."

Stating that 70% of young people between the ages of 18-24 in Turkey want to start their own business, but only 5% of these young people can be successful, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel said, "Because young people need more guidance in the project management process."

Stating that they organized a science and idea festival for young researchers as Üsküdar University in order to respond to this need, Prof. Dr. Ergüzel said, "We organized this science and idea festival in order to teach project management to our young researchers, which is one of the main problems of higher education, and to guide them. In this way, we wish to be instrumental in this claim of our young people to see their lives as a project, to teach them to manage their time, skills and resources correctly."

Halide İncekara: "You are all worthy of an award"

Rector Advisor Halide İncekara stated that Üsküdar University Special Talents Research Center works under the title of "Make a Difference, Make a Difference, Make a Difference" and said, "The teachers and students here are trying to make a difference and make a difference. I sincerely congratulate you all, you are all worthy of the award."

Feeling Human Sculpture was presented...

Following the speeches, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan presented a "Feeling Human Statue" to Istanbul Deputy Governor Mehmet Sülün, Kocaeli Provincial Director of National Education Ömer Akmanşen, Beylikdüzü District Director of National Education Zekeriya Postacı, Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel and Informatics Valley General Manager Erkam Tüzgen.

Awards

At Üsküdar University 10th Science and Idea Festival, projects competed in three categories: Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Science and Technology. The projects that ranked in the festival were awarded.

Within the scope of the 10th Science and Idea Festival, where students from 56 schools from Istanbul, Bursa, Kocaeli and Yalova applied with 534 projects in teams, 30 thousand TL was awarded to the first project, 25 thousand TL to the second project and 22 thousand 500 TL to the third project in each category. The top 3 projects in each category will be given "Patenting support" by Üsküdar University. The counselors of the ranking students were also awarded half the value of the prize of the ranking project.

A total of 500 thousand TL prize was distributed to the ranking projects.

Among the students who ranked in the top 3 in each category separately, the discount rate of those who write the paid, 25 percent and 50 percent discounted programs of Üsküdar University in their first five preferences and settle in one of these preferences is completed to 75 percent.

Winners in the Science and Technology category...

In the Science and Technology category, the project named YABAN (Plant Adaptation Analysis with Software) from Istanbul Atatürk Science High School won the first prize. The students received their awards from Istanbul Deputy Governor Mehmet Sülün. The project titled "Theoretical Simulation and Practical Optimization of an Innovative Vertical Axis Fan with Theoretical Simulation" from Bursa Halil İnalcık Science and Art Center came in second, while the project titled "Characterization and Optimization of Super Capacitor Production Using Laser-Assisted Self-Synthesized Quantum Dots" from Bursa Private Şahinkaya Science High School came in third.

The projects that ranked in the Health Sciences category...

In the Health Sciences category, Istanbul Private Bakırköy Uğur Anatolian High School won the first prize with its 'Algorithmic Serum Tracking System' project. The award presentation to the winning project was made by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University.

In the same category, Bursa Karacabey Ulviye Matlı Science High School won the second prize with its project 'Cut Fire' and Istanbul Avcılar Private Okyanus Science and Project High School won the third prize with its project 'PHYTOSILVER: Developed with Biotechnology, Strengthened by Nature!" project.

Winners in the Social Sciences category

Istanbul Private Başakşehir Yenidoğu Science High School students, who came first in the Social Sciences category with their project 'The Effect of Peer Learning-Based Interdisciplinary Education Model on Young People's Technical Skills and Acquisition of Project Production Competence', received their award from Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.

In the Social Sciences category, Istanbul Avcılar Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School students won the second prize with their project 'Choosing My Outfit with Video Processing Technique for the Visually Impaired' and Istanbul Bahçelievler Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Science and Art Center students won the third prize with their project 'Optimization of Istanbul M7 Metro Line Timetables with Fuzzy Logic Approach'.

Sustainable Project Award

On the other hand, "Good Idea, Original Method, Sustainable Project" awards were given in the honorable mention category to the projects ranked between 11 and 20, valid in all categories.

In addition, a plaque was presented to Zekeriya Postacı, Beylikdüzü District Director of National Education, who sent the most projects to the Science and Idea Festival. All participating students received certificates of participation and all participating schools received plaques or certificates of appreciation.

The ceremony, which was broadcast live on Üsküdar University Television (ÜÜ TV) and Üsküdar University official Youtube account, ended with the participants taking a souvenir photo together.