The Rector of Erzurum Technical University (ETU), Prof. Dr. Bulent Çakmak, met with the Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, in Ankara and gave a comprehensive presentation on the chip production facility planned to be established in Erzurum.
ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bulent Çakmak, who travelled to Ankara for a series of meetings, conveyed Erzurum's potential in the field of chip production and the university's existing research infrastructure during his meeting with Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır. The meeting focused on cooperation opportunities, particularly regarding ongoing work in the field of laser chips and photonic technologies, as well as the planned chip factory in Erzurum.
In the presentation given by Rector Çakmak, the High Technology Research Centre (YUTAM) operating within ETU and the laser chip production infrastructure maintained at the centre were highlighted. The presentation provided Minister Kacır with detailed information about the work being carried out in two Class 1000 clean rooms focused on photonic technologies, semiconductor lasers, optical detectors, and nano-device production.
The presentation also highlighted that ETU has reached a research and project budget of approximately $8.5 million with the support of TUBITAK and the Ministry of Development, and that the university is among the universities highlighted in the 2023 TUBITAK Competence Report in the field of photonics and laser chips. The national and international projects being carried out, along with registered and pending patents, were among the topics that demonstrated the university's scientific capacity in the field of chip technologies.
During the meeting, it was stated that Erzurum has natural advantages that reduce the costs of clean rooms and climate control required for chip production, thanks to its low humidity and cool climate conditions. It was also noted that the energy needs could be met from renewable sources through the solar power plant projects planned within the university.
The presentation also addressed the targets for chip production outlined in the 2030 Industry and Technology Strategy announced by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and within the scope of the HIT-30 High Technology Investment Programme. In this context, potential steps towards integrating Erzurum into the medium and advanced technology chip production ecosystem were evaluated.
In his assessment of the meeting, Rector Çakmak stated that Erzurum has significant potential in terms of high-tech investments, saying: "With the strong research infrastructure we have established within our university, our qualified human resources and our expertise in photonic technologies, we believe that Erzurum can become an important centre for strategic investments such as chip production. In this regard, we presented our proposal to the Honourable Minister and conducted a productive evaluation."
Corporate Communications and Promotion Directorate January 22,2026
