The “9th National Polar Sciences Symposium and 5th Polar Festival,” organized under the coordination of the TÜBİTAK Institute of Polar Research (KARE), began at Ege University in İzmir.
Organized under the auspices of the Presidency, administered by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and coordinated by the TÜBİTAK Institute of Polar Research (KARE), the 9th National Polar Sciences Symposium and the 5th Polar Festival, organized under the auspices of the Presidency, administered by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and coordinated by the TÜBİTAK Institute of Polar Research (KARE), kicked off in İzmir with strong attendance, hosted by Ege University (EÜ).
The opening remarks for the program, which brings together scientists and students,
The event was hosted by Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, President of TÜBİTAK MAM and Director of the Institute of Polar Research, and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ersan, Vice Rector of Ege University.
Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, Türkiye’nin uluslararası kutup çalışmalarındaki yerinin giderek güçlendiğini vurguladı. Kutup bölgelerinin önemine dikkat çekerek, “Antarktika gezegenin kara kutusu. Yaptığımız her çalışma bizi milyonlarca yıl önceki döneme götürdüğü gibi geleceğe projeksiyon tutuyor.” dedi. Özsoy, son 40 yılda Arktik Bölgesi’ndeki buzulların %40 azaldığını belirterek, iklim değişikliğinin en büyük sorun olarak karşılarına çıktığını ifade etti.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ersan, Vice Rector of Ege University, described the polar regions as “natural laboratories where the most tangible effects of climate change are observed and which shape the future of the world.” Ersan noted that research conducted in these regions has become a strategic field of science that is central not only to environmental issues but also to energy, economic, security, and sustainability policies.
The symposium also featured the launch of the National Polar Data Center, established by the TÜBİTAK Institute of Polar Research (KARE) to collect, store, and share data related to Turkey’s polar research. The platform, accessible at www.polardata.tubitak.gov.tr, will make data from scientific studies conducted in the polar regions available to researchers and the public. By adhering to international standards for data sharing and strengthening scientific collaboration, the center will enhance Turkey’s capacity in the field of polar sciences.
As part of this two-day event, which serves as a national platform where scientists share their latest research, project outcomes, and expedition experiences, a total of 83 scientific presentations (59 oral and 24 poster presentations) from various disciplines will be shared with the academic community.
In addition to scientific research, the 5th Polar Festival is being held concurrently with the symposium to raise public awareness of the polar regions.
As part of the festival, virtual reality (VR) experiences, simulations of life in the polar regions, workshops, and gamified science activities are inspiring a love of science in young minds. In addition, high school students who placed in TÜBİTAK’s 2204-C Polar Research and 2204-D Climate Change competitions have the opportunity to showcase their projects, while young researchers who have participated in polar expeditions share their experiences.
