Türkiye Innovation Week Started
Business leaders, visionary entrepreneurs and opinion leaders came together at Türkiye Innovation Week. Altınbaş University Rector Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan moderated the event where Altınbaş University stood out with its electric vehicles.
Türkiye Innovation Week, hosted by the Turkish Exporters' Assembly, aims to develop the innovation ecosystem, explore the power of innovation, and bring together ideas that will shape the future. The event took place from November 23 to 25 at the Haliç Congress Center, and Altınbaş University participated with its award-winning electric vehicles from the Teknofest competitions.
As part of the Türkiye Innovation Week, Altınbaş University's Rector, Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, moderated the panel titled "Digital Fortresses: Cyber Defense Technologies." The panel focused on the concepts of artificial intelligence and cyber homeland as future technologies.
Speakers at the panel included Özgür Güleryüz, CEO of STM; Samir Aliyev, Founder of the Swiss Cyber Institute; Dr. Mert Özarar, General Manager of Information Technologies at the Ministry of Treasury and Finance; Oğuzhan Aydın, Deputy General Manager of Information Technologies at Istanbul Finance Center; and Mahmut Küçük, Cyber Security Director at Türk Telekom.
During the panel, it was emphasized that artificial intelligence would become even more effective in the future, and the most significant deficiency in this field is the lack of qualified human resources to manage artificial intelligence. Samir Aliyev, the Founder of the Swiss Cyber Institute, highlighted that there is a need for 130,000 artificial intelligence and cybersecurity experts in Switzerland today and suggested that young people should already start educating themselves in this direction.
Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, the Rector of Altınbaş University, pointed out that events such as Teknofest or the Türkiye Innovation Week raise awareness among young people and guide them towards areas such as cyber technologies and artificial intelligence. He stated that Higher Education Institutions have a crucial role in this regard and mentioned, "We are hopeful for our future. Despite the concerns about the threats that may come from the cyber world, it is gratifying to know that Türkiye is in a good position in terms of cybersecurity. The use of technology is essential in cybersecurity, but those who control and dominate local and national technologies, who understand the future technologies, will be able to protect their countries."
Erhan stressed that protecting cyber fortresses is a process, and at the core of the job is humans. He emphasized the importance of developing human capital, educational institutions, and universities. Erhan stated, "We need to train our human capital, our educational institutions, and universities very well. Those working in the field of cybersecurity need to be passionate. As we encounter in Generation Z, areas where jobs can be changed every 6 months or 1.5 years are not those that can be changed. Our young people working in this field need to dedicate themselves. In addition to our Blue Homeland, we will continue to defend our Cyber Homeland with our local and national technologies, developing innovative products and passionate young people."
Altınbaş University's stand at the Türkiye Innovation Week attracted significant attention, particularly from high school students interested in project development. The university's academicians answered students' questions and provided information about the key points of project development.