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TUBA and TUBITAK Science Awards Presented

19.12.2024

The “TÜBA and TÜBİTAK Science Awards Ceremony”, organized by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, was held on 18 December 2024 at Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center. Our Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik also attended the ceremony, which was opened by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The ceremony was attended by Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan; Osman Aşkın Bak, Minister of Youth and Sports; Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology; Orhan Aydın, President of TÜBİTAK; Muzaffer Şeker, President of TÜBA; Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education; Alper Gezeravcı, Turkey's first astronaut; Tuva Cihangir Atasever, Turkey's second astronaut; our Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik, university rectors, award-winning academics and their families.

In his speech at the ceremony, President Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey is taking firm steps towards its goal of becoming a country that leads the era in science and technology. Erdoğan said, “We are taking firm steps towards the goal of a great and powerful Turkey that leads the era, not lagging behind it. As a country and a nation, we stand firmly on the ground and take firm steps.”

At the ceremony, a total of 7 works were awarded for TÜBA-TESEP awards, including four copyright awards, one Halil İnalcık special award, one Kemal Karpat special award and one jury special award. In addition, 25 young scientists were presented with TÜBA Outstanding Young Scientists awards. Erdoğan said, “Thus, 246 Turkish works have received TÜBA-TESEP awards so far. Our TÜBA Outstanding Young Scientists stand out as one of the first and unique examples of young academia development in the world. This year, we are presenting these awards to 25 young scientists who are conducting scientific studies at 20 different universities.”, emphasizing the importance of the work of scientists. He also stated that the awards will contribute greatly to Turkey's development in the field of science and technology.

TÜBA International Academy Awards were given in three different categories to 4 eminent scientists who have distinguished themselves with their original, pioneering and groundbreaking works at the international level. Erdoğan said, “To date, a total of 32 pioneers of science have received TÜBA International Academy Awards. 947 scientists have won TÜBA awards, which fill an important gap in the field of international science diplomacy. On behalf of myself and my nation, I sincerely congratulate our academicians and scientists who won the TÜBA and TÜBİTAK Science Awards.”

Erdoğan also noted: “Please do not forget that you bring important values and new horizons not only to the academic community but also to our country and the world with the scientific activities you carry out in your fields of specialization, the works you produce, and the new research you conduct. I believe that you will be the architects of our 2053 and 2071 vision by adding a new one to these works every day, encouraging and supporting our young people who accept you as a guide, and making more fundamental contributions to our country and humanity.”

Following the protocol speeches, President Erdoğan personally presented the awards to the academicians who received TÜBA and TÜBİTAK Science Awards, and took a souvenir photo with the scientists who were deemed worthy of the award.