Horizon 2020 Program for Turkish Industry was held at the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Congressium with a wide participation.
TUBITAK organized an event titled "Horizon 2020 for Turkish Industry" on 6 May 2015 in Ankara in order to increase the awareness and knowledge level of senior officials of Turkish industrial enterprises on the EU Horizon 2020 Program and to make maximum use of the incentives under the Horizon 2020 Program. The event was organized with the presence of Fikri Işık, Minister of Science, Industry and Technology. Industry representatives from Turkey and Europe took part in the event with their speeches and success stories.
The Importance of Horizon 2020 in the EU Integration Process
Emphasizing that Turkey's participation in the Horizon 2020 program shows the strong will for cooperation in the field of knowledge, experience and technology sharing, Minister Işık said: "We will continue to strongly support the Framework Programs, which are the most important indicator of our integration process with the EU. In fact, the only chapter that we have been able to close so far in the negotiation process for joining the Union as a full member has been the "Science and Research" chapter."
Comprehensive Support to Turkish Industry from Horizon 2020
Minister Fikri Işık also mentioned the extensive support and incentive programs provided by TÜBİTAK and the European Union, and stated that the participation of industrial organizations in Horizon 2020 is important due to the changing structure of Horizon 2020, the strong emphasis on industry and the increasing expectations from industry. Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Mr. Işık, who met with industry representatives during the coffee break, met with the intense interest of our industrialists and answered the questions of the participants.
Horizon 2020 The World's Largest Civilian Research and Innovation Program
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çelik, Vice President of TÜBİTAK, made a presentation on the Horizon 2020 Program and the importance of Turkish Industry's participation in the program. Emphasizing that the resources allocated to R&D and innovation in the private sector have increased, Çelik said: "As the world's largest civilian research and innovation program, Horizon 2020 stands out as an important environment of cooperation and experience. Therefore, we attach great importance to the participation of our country and especially our industry in Horizon 2020 in order to increase our R&D and innovation experience."
Within the scope of the event, Josema CAVANILLAS, Research and Innovation Director of ATOS, Mehmet BÜYÜKEKŞİ, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Bela SZOMBATI, Chargé d'Affaires of the EU Delegation to Turkey, delivered speeches on the importance of Horizon 2020 for international cooperation, while Haluk GÖKMEN, EU Projects Executive at Arçelik, and Tülay ÇAĞLAYAN ÖZLÜ, R&D Institute Director of the Turkish Cement Manufacturers' Association, shared their success stories in EU Framework Programs with the participants. The program ended with a presentation on "TÜBİTAK Incentive and Support Programs for Horizon 2020 Program" by Hakan KARATAŞ, Head of TÜBİTAK International Cooperation Department and Horizon 2020 National Coordinator, which attracted great interest.
