The “National Science High Schools Symposium”, organized for the second time this year under the leadership of our faculty, was held with the participation of students and teachers from all over Türkiye.

The opening program of the Science High Schools Symposium, which was organized for the second time this year and hosted by our Faculty with the aim of creating a bridge between high schools and universities and encouraging interaction between institutions, was attended by ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak, Yakutiye Mayor Dr. Mahmut Uçar, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ceren Sultan Elmalı, Faculty of Science Dean Prof. Dr. Ümit İncekara, Provincial Director of National Education Yakup Yıldız, District Directors of National Education, academicians, and many teachers and students from different cities.

Speaking at the opening of the program, Dean İncekara drew attention to the importance of the symposium in terms of university-high school cooperation and said: “We are very happy to carry this organization, which we started at the provincial level last year, to the national level this year. This is not only a quantitative expansion; it is also a sign of a qualitative transformation. Science high schools are one of the most valuable institutions that train the future scientists, engineers and academicians of our country. As a university, we are aware of this potential and we attach great importance to these young minds getting acquainted with science at an early age. Our students’ production, presentation and discussion of their own projects will develop them not only academically but also in terms of self-confidence and communication. Thanks to such events, young people will be one step closer to the exciting world of science.”

Following Dean İncekara, Rector Çakmak took the podium and stated that supporting the scientific curiosity and research spirit of young people is one of the basic missions of universities: “I am very pleased to be here today with future scientist candidates from all over our country. The best way to access information and use it meaningfully is to be introduced to scientific thought at an early age. As Erzurum Technical University, we support all kinds of initiatives that nurture the academic interests of our youth and turn them into questioning, thinking and producing individuals. Our symposium is not only a presentation platform; it is also an environment where ideas, dreams and science come together. Thanks to this event, our students not only exhibit their projects, but also prepare themselves more strongly for the future by breathing in the university atmosphere. The interest and effort they show at this age makes us even more hopeful about the scientific future of our country.”

During the two-day symposium, science high school students from 18 different cities had the opportunity to develop their scientific communication skills by making presentations on topics of their choice, from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, from environmental issues to scientific innovations. In addition, during the symposium, where over 100 oral and poster presentations were made, students were given the opportunity to participate in various workshops, professional talks and scientific events.