AKON Türkiye - Social Innovation

Innovation-Focused Breakfast Meeting with Academicians from AKON Confederation The European Confederation of Science, Education, Health and Culture (AKON) brought together the worlds of academia and civil society at the well-attended innovation breakfast organized to support scientific and technological development. The event held in Istanbul offered an important platform for the development of innovation-oriented projects, the establishment of R&D centers and the strengthening of university-NGO collaborations. Academia and Civil Society Joined Their Forces. The program included; Academicians from different disciplines, expert psychologists, health professionals and civil society representatives attended. Among the names taking part in the event, Prof. Dr. Süleyman Doğan, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ertürk, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Uygar Kalaycı, Prof. Dr. Well-known names in the academic world such as Sefa Bulut; Assoc. Dr. Sema Yılmaz, Assoc. Dr. Hüseyin Özdemir, Assoc. Dr. Orhan Albayrak, Assoc. Dr. Young scientists like Nur Mahinur; Dr. Ömer Kamacı, Opr. Dr. Experts in the field of health such as Ayşe Duman; Specialist Psk. Bayram Ayaz, Specialist. Psk. Büşra Yurtsever, Expert. Psk. Mental health professionals such as Mustafa Atak and representatives from different segments of society such as Religious Officer Adem Bila and FED Chairman Cana Kaya were present. Innovation Centers and the Scientific Board were on the Agenda Among the main agenda items of the meeting were the Innovation Project Production Center planned to be established within AKON and the R&D and laboratory studies to be carried out in this center. Participants exchanged ideas on projects that will increase Turkey's scientific production capacity. It is aimed to transfer academic knowledge to the field and transform it into social benefit, especially through collaborations with universities. The establishment process of AKON Science Board was also discussed in detail at the event. This board is planned to become operational soon as a structure that will provide academic direction to innovation-based projects, encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and determine scientific standards. Scientific Approach for Social Development Participants emphasized that innovation is a critical tool not only for technological development but also for social transformation. It was stated that the projects to be developed especially in the fields of education, health and culture will increase the quality of life by touching different segments of the society. This vision of AKON aims to contribute to Turkey's development goals by building a bridge between academia and civil society. Thank You and Future Vision. At the end of the program, AKON Confederation Chairman Yasin Uluhan thanked all participants and presented them with various gifts. Uluhan made the following statements in his speech: "Scientific and technological development is only possible with common sense and cooperation. Thanks to the valuable academicians and experts who came together here today, I believe that we will make a strong contribution to Turkey's innovation ecosystem." Authorities stated that the innovation centers to be established will increase Turkey's scientific production capacity and increase its competitiveness at the international level. AKON's Road MapAKON Confederation will continue to support innovation-based projects by increasing similar collaborations in the fields of education, health, culture and science in the coming period. Such events open new doors to social development by strengthening academy-civil society cooperation.