The 30th International Physics Congress of the Turkish Physics Society was held at Istanbul University
The opening speeches of the Congress held between 2-5 September 2013 at Istanbul University, were given by the Chair of the Organisation Committee and of the Balkan Physical Union Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yeşim Öktem, Head of the Advisory Committee Prof. Dr. Gediz Akdeniz, Chair of the Scientific Council and TÜBA Principal Member Prof. Dr. Metin Arık, President of the Turkish Physics Society Prof. Dr. Baki Akkuş, President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar, President of Istanbul University TÜBA Principal Member and Honorary Chair of the Congress Prof. Dr. Yunus Söylet, General Secretary of the President of the Turkish Republic and Turkish High Education Council (YÖK) Member Prof. Dr. Mustafa İsen.
Academy President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar stressed in his opening speech that “It is of vital importance to support projects, education and research in basic sciences for the innovation performance of Turkey.” He thinks that increasing the attraction of basic science programmes by providing teaching opportunities for graduates is a step in the right direction, but this should be supported by new programmes and changes in the curricula with a multidisciplinary approach. Prof. Acar said that there was a need to improve the salaries and work conditions of academicians. He added that TÜBA encourages and supports scientists and scholars with award programmes like GEBIP (Young Scientists Award Programme), TEÇEP (University Course Books Award Programme for Copyrighted and Translated Scientific Works) and Post- Doctoral Research Fellowships.
Prof. Dr. Carlo Rubbia who received the 1984 Nobel Prize for Physics, participated as the honorary guest to the Congress held with the participation of 33 international speakers, all specialists in their own domains, many physicists and students of physics.
The award ceremony took place after the opening speeches.