Continuing its efforts towards specialization of universities, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) selected Erzurum Technical University (ETU) as the university specializing in "Additive Manufacturing" within the scope of the "Specializing Universities" program.
ETÜ, which has carried out important projects in many fields, especially in the defense industry and health sector, through the studies carried out within the High Technology Application Research Center (YÜTAM), was deemed worthy of the title of university specializing in "Additive Manufacturing" by YÖK in line with the Twelfth Development Plan targets and TÜBİTAK competency analyses.
Having laid the foundations of studies in the field of additive manufacturing more than ten years ago, ETÜ, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. İrfan Kaymaz, Prof. Dr. Ali Fatih Yetim, and Prof. Dr. Fatih Yıldız, has conducted studies that provide both sectoral and societal benefits through research groups including Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Korkmaz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Çomaklı, Dr. Merve Gizem Özden, Dr. Fahri Murat, Dr. Gürkan Kaya, Dr. Hilmi Tekdir, Dr. Mustafa Yazıcı, and Dr. Kerem Turalıoğlu. Drawing attention with projects in which defense industry organizations are also stakeholders, ETÜ has achieved significant success, particularly with the TÜBİTAK 1004 Center of Excellence Project titled "Next Generation 3D Printer Manufacturing Technologies Platform" and with its personalized implant designs in the medical field.
Commenting on the matter, ETÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak stated that ETÜ aims to offer innovative solutions to a wide range of sectors, from defense to healthcare, with its knowledge and projects in additive manufacturing. He said, “Our university's selection as a 'Specializing University' by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is a strategic step not only for the Eastern Anatolia Region but also for the development of additive manufacturing technologies throughout Turkey. This will further strengthen our capacity to produce the innovative solutions our country needs in critical areas such as the defense industry and healthcare. Furthermore, this decision will increase Erzurum Technical University's visibility at national and international levels, enabling it to become a more effective actor in the research ecosystem. Our goal is to have a voice not only regionally but also globally with the scientists we train and the projects we carry out. On this occasion, I wholeheartedly congratulate all the faculty members who contributed to our university earning this title and wish them continued success.”
Corporate Communications and Promotion Directorate 19.09.2025
