Hosted by Yıldız Technical University, the National Technology Summit brought together Turkey’s technology giants. Organized in collaboration with the T3 Foundation and our YTÜ TEKNOFEST Club, the event addressed a wide range of critical topics, from space research to autonomous warfare systems, and from nuclear energy to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The stars of the National Technology Initiative gathered at Yıldız Technical University. The historic Hamam Cultural Center hosted the National Technology Summit, jointly organized by our TEKNOFEST Club and the T3 Foundation. Leading the sector, top executives from pioneering institutions such as BAYKAR, TUSAŞ, ASELSAN, and ROKETSAN, as well as Kuveyt Türk, Trendyol, and WITE, shared their experiences with participants. Throughout the event, students and young professionals had the opportunity to expand their professional networks by directly engaging with human resources teams at company booths set up in the exhibition area.

Support for Young People from Our Rector

On the second day of the program, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Eyüp Debik, met with students, gathered information about the projects, and inspected the technology-focused work firsthand.

Highlighting the importance of young people’s productive capacity and the national technology vision, Debik stated that the innovative ideas presented by the students hold great value for Turkey’s future.

"You Are Part of the World’s Transformation"

Speaking at the event’s opening, YTÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya emphasized that for the world to become a fairer place again, young people must design the future today and take the initiative, stating:

"In the digital age, remaining human is just as valuable as the missiles, UAVs, and drones we will build. While integrating these technologies into daily life, we must express ourselves as pioneers of a new civilization, create value, and serve as an example to humanity."

Noting that a vision for a new civilization, inspired by the past, can only be built through the determined steps of young people, Prof. Dr. Karakaya said, "For the world to become a fair place again, you, dear young people, must imagine and plan the future starting now."

"Our defense and aerospace exports have increased 40-fold"

Elvan Kuzucu Hıdır, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Turkey Technology Team (T3) Foundation, noted that with shifting global balances, technology has become not merely an economic gain but a strategic arena of independence, stating, “Annual drone production exceeded 4 million in 2025. It is expected to reach 7 million in 2026.”

Emphasizing that the rapid growth in the sector is not driven solely by quantitative data but rather by the need to cultivate qualified human resources, Elvan Kuzucu Hıdır noted, "Turkey has become one of the key players in this transformation, particularly over the past 10 years. Our defense and aerospace exports, which stood at approximately $250 million in 2002, have increased 40-fold to over $10 billion today."

7 different summits, over 3,000 participants

The National Technology Summits, planned this year as a comprehensive series across Istanbul, have been held at seven different universities to date. Through this series of events, a total of 3,050 young people were directly reached, fostering strong awareness around the national technology vision.

Panels covering a wide range of topics—from the defense industry to financial technologies, and from artificial intelligence to space and aviation—aim to increase young people’s interest in a culture of production at both the academic and practical levels. The summit, which aims to instill teamwork experience and a project development culture at an early age, also strengthens university-industry collaboration.

Autonomy on the battlefield and space travel

Defense and space technologies, among the summit’s most popular topics, were addressed in separate sessions featuring leading experts.

At the Space Panel moderated by YTÜ Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Ufuk Sakarya, Erol Güven from TÜBİTAK UZAY and Akın Yılmaz from TUSAŞ provided an update on the current status of Turkey’s space projects. In addition to this panel, a special Space Discussion session was held, where Fergani Senior Advisor Prof. Dr. Arif Karabeyoğlu explained the scientific foundation behind space technologies.

In the “Paradigm Shift on the Battlefield” session, which addressed the transformation of modern warfare concepts, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Serdar Türk from YTÜ moderated a discussion where SKYDAGGER General Manager Mehmet Öztekin and STM Business Development Manager Mustafa Aygar shared insights on the future of autonomous systems, swarm intelligence, and smart loitering munitions with the participants.

Finance, entrepreneurship, and nuclear energy were discussed

The summit also addressed technology’s dimensions of finance and sustainability, with discussions on the economic infrastructure of technology investments. In the panel moderated by Dr. Hülya Bulut, TAKASBANK Director Faruk Selman Lekesiz, Kuveyt Türk Deputy General Manager Dr. Okan Acar, and Presidential Investment and Finance Office Advisor Ahmet Cüneyt Selçuk offered significant insights.

In the entrepreneurship panel moderated by Ufuk Batum, Erkam Tüzgen, General Manager of Bilişim Vadisi; İrem Bayraktar Aksakal, Board Member of the T3 Foundation; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adnan Veysel Ertemel, Director of İTÜ Ginova, shed light on the current state of the ecosystem, the Nuclear Panel, led by Prof. Dr. Üner Çolak, addressed Turkey’s energy strategy and the future of nuclear technologies.

The National Technology Summit, which shapes Turkey’s technology ecosystem, concluded with the traditional TEKNOFEST group photo, featuring broad participation from protocol members and students.

About the YTÜ TEKNOFEST Club

Launched in October 2025, the Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) TEKNOFEST Club brings together students interested in technology under one roof in line with the “National Technology Initiative” vision.

Blending national technology awareness with the university’s long-standing academic spirit, the club aims to lead projects that will accelerate Turkey’s technological development by enhancing students’ knowledge and awareness in the field of technology.

Through events featuring experts in their fields, the club contributes to the technical and personal development of engineers who will shape the future. To support theoretical education with hands-on experience, the club organizes periodic technical field trips and training sessions.

In addition to technical activities, the YTÜ TEKNOFEST Club continues to support young people at every stage of their journey through social gatherings that foster campus solidarity and boost student motivation.