The ‘Excellence Science: ERC Enables Young Researchers’ Symposium by TÜBA and TÜBİTAK
The “Excellence Science: ERC Enables Young Researchers” symposium in the scope of the European Research Committee work to support the best researchers in the world, was hosted by TÜBA and TÜBİTAK on August 29, 2014 at the Istanbul Legacy Ottoman Hotel.
Following the opening speeches by TÜBA Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar, ERC Chairman Prof. Dr. Jean Pierre Bourguignon and TÜBİTAK Chairman Prof. Dr. Yücel Altunbaşak the symposium continued with presentations and discussions on the perspectives of ERC, TÜBİTAK, universities and researchers.
ERC Chairman Prof. Bourguignon, who provided information about the ERC Program, pointed out that with Turkey’s current publication performance more projects could be obtained from the ERC. In the speech by TÜBA Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar he said that the ERTC, TÜBA and TÜBİTAK shared goals in the field of scientific development and that the communication and cooperation between the organizations was critical. Acar also thanked ERC Chairman Prof. Bourguignon for accepting their invitation and also TÜBİTAK, the universities and administrators and participants from the TÜBA community for their contributions. TÜBİTAK Chairman Prof. Yücel Altunbaşak, who took the stage next, talked about the new Horizon 2020 award and grant program which recently went into effect and provided information about Turkey’s ERC Action Plan and the related assistance programs of TÜBİTAK.
In the second part of the symposium the rectors of universities actively benefitting from the ERC program or making plans to undertake projects shared their strategies with participants. TÜBA Principle Member and Bilkent University Rector Prof. Dr. Abdullah Atalar, İzmir Advanced Technology Institute Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Güden, TÜBA Principle Member and Koç University Assistant Rector Prof. Dr. İrşadi Aksun, Middle Easter Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Acar and TÜBA Principle Member and Sabancı University Rector Prof. Dr. Nihat Berker each gave speeches on the subject and responded to the questions of young researchers.
Also the researchers being supported by ERC in the scope of the 7th Framework Program in Turkey shared their projects and experiences with the participants. In the final section that took place under the moderation of TÜBA Council and Principle Member Prof. Dr. Tayfun Özçelik, a group of young researchers including TÜBA Associate Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bilge Demirköz and 2014 TÜBA-GEBİP Award Recipient Assoc. Prof. Doç. Dr. Eren İnci planning careers towards ERC provided information about their scientific goals and plans for the future.
The symposium was concluded with Prof. Dr. Tayfun Özçelik’s closing speech.
