The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) The 8th National Polar Sciences Symposium, organized by the Institute of Polar Research (KARE) under the Marmara Research Center (MAM), was held in a hybrid format at the TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus with both in-person and online participants.
Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, President of TÜBİTAK MAM and Director of the Institute of Polar Research, provided a detailed account of Turkey’s historical development in polar sciences and the achievements made in this field. Noting that Turkey began its polar research efforts in 2017 under the patronage of the Presidency, Özsoy stated, “We are currently continuing preparations for our 9th Antarctic and 5th Arctic expeditions. ”These efforts provide significant contributions to our country, not only scientifically but also strategically,” she said.
Prof. Dr. Özsoy also touched on Turkey’s process of transitioning to consultative status within the Antarctic Treaty System, noting that the applications by Belarus and Canada have so far been unsuccessful, while Turkey has received messages of support from consultative countries encouraging it to submit an application. “As Turkey, we are making strong contributions to the Antarctic Treaty System in scientific, logistical, and political terms,” Özsoy emphasized that Turkey is actively engaged in fieldwork in polar research with nearly 150 scientists and is strengthening international scientific cooperation. Özsoy noted that Turkey’s full membership in key international polar organizations such as SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) and COMNAP (Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs) provides our country with strong representation in the field.
Özsoy also highlighted the challenges of working in the polar regions and the ongoing nature of this work, saying, “Perhaps the scientists who will join us in the polar regions in the future are among us today. As soon as one expedition ends, preparations for the next one begin; this is a 365-day effort.” The inclusion of scientific projects from various universities across Turkey in this year’s expedition once again underscored the country’s goal of supporting young scientists and spreading its scientific vision to every corner of the nation.
In his speech, TÜBİTAK Vice President İsmail Doğan discussed the efforts and goals being pursued to help Turkey achieve a stronger position in polar science. Doğan said, “Turkey is on its way to becoming an international power in polar research. To strengthen our scientific presence in the polar regions, we develop new projects every year and provide support to our researchers at both the national and international levels,” he said. Noting that Turkey is continuously developing its strategic goals for the future of polar research, Doğan said, “For Turkey, having a research station in Antarctica will make us a more effective scientific nation on the international stage. This base will also serve as a reference point for our future scientists,” he said.
At the symposium, a total of 46 papers were presented in fields such as the Life Sciences, Physical and Earth Sciences, and the Social and Humanities. In addition to the scientific findings obtained from these projects, the contributions of scientific expeditions were discussed, and Turkey’s current projects, scientific findings, and future goals in the field of polar science were addressed. The strategic importance of research conducted in the Antarctic and Arctic regions for Turkey was emphasized, and it was explained in detail how this research strengthens Turkey’s position within the international scientific community.
