Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, who attended the opening ceremony of the Antalya Science Center and Antalya BİLİMFEST in Antalya’s Kepez district, expressed his satisfaction at bringing Turkey’s largest science center to the city and at inaugurating BİLİMFEST, a science and technology festival that will become one of the region’s most important events. Varank emphasized that they prioritize spreading a culture of science throughout society through the science centers they have established. Noting that they have established science centers in six provinces so far—Konya, Kocaeli, Kayseri, Bursa, Elazığ, and Istanbul—Varank reported that efforts to establish science centers in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Düzce, and Denizli are ongoing.
“We are opening Turkey’s largest—and the Mediterranean’s first—science center in Antalya. With its state-of-the-art technology, hands-on workshops, interactive exhibits, and library, this place has become a massive science complex.” Varank stated that the center will offer hands-on workshop training in biology, chemistry, natural sciences, mathematics, astronomy, robotics, coding, woodworking, and design. Emphasizing that young people will discover through observation, touch, hearing, and experimentation, Varank explained that thanks to these fun and effective educational programs, young people will experience a sense of curiosity at an early age and develop original ideas.
“Let our young people be inspired by seeing and touching tangible achievements and products”
Speaking about the center, Varank noted: “On the Dokuma Factory campus where we are right now, in addition to the science center, there is the Cemil Meriç Library, the Botanical Park, the City Museum, the Martyrs’ Museum, the Modern Art Gallery, and the Toy Museum. In other words, with its culture, architecture, and thematic design, this place appeals not only to our youth but to everyone from 7 to 77. The best example of this is BİLİMFEST, which brings together science enthusiasts of all ages. At this festival, dozens of scientific events, workshops, and exhibitions, along with competitions, stage performances, entertaining science shows, and family games, await our citizens from across the region. All of our distinguished institutions—such as TÜBİTAK, the Turkish Space Agency, ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, ROKETSAN, TUSAŞ, and TÜMOSAN—are here. You’ll be able to watch the spectacular aerial displays by our sources of pride, Solo Türk and the Turkish Stars. ’We are also showcasing our domestically developed and nationally produced technological products—a source of pride—at the festival grounds to inspire our youth. We want our young people to draw inspiration not by hearing the sad stories of national projects that were cut short in the past, but by seeing and touching these tangible successes and products.”
Minister Varank invited young people from neighboring provinces, along with their families, to the Science Center and BİLİMFEST, noting that the experiences they gain there will have a powerful impact on their lives. Noting that the conferences and panel discussions led by experts will leave a lasting impression on the young people, Varank said, “The Antalya Science Center and BİLİMFEST will will contribute to spreading the vision of our National Technology Initiative and to raising Turkish youth who are equipped with the skills of the present and future, who are beneficial to humanity, and who are of good moral character. You will see that this country’s respected scientists, successful engineers, and innovative designers who will shape their fields will emerge from among you,” he said.
“We must instill an appreciation for science and technology in our children”
Pointing out that success is a team effort, Minister Varank said, “Neither a great project, nor a hardworking student, nor a perfectly designed curriculum is ever sufficient on its own to ensure success. Success comes from teamwork and the ecosystem. However, only if we stand together and join hands can we elevate our country to the place it deserves—far beyond the level of contemporary civilizations. In this team effort, we all have specific responsibilities. Dear families and teachers, the most critical role falls to you. We must instill an awareness of science and technology in our children. Instead of confining them to narrow molds, we must seek out, discover, and bring to light the potential within them. We will give them—and even lead the way—to try and fail, to dream big, and to make mistakes. We must prepare our children and students not for high-ranking positions or generous salaries, but for useful knowledge and successful ventures that serve all of humanity.”.
Varank, noting that whatever work is done, it deserves to be recognized, emphasized the importance of being patient, working hard, engaging in discussion, dreaming big, and never giving up. Pointing out that success is achieved not by the smartest, the hardest-working, or those with the most resources, but by those who never give up, Varank explained that in this regard, the Ministry of Industry and Technology is their greatest supporter. Announcing that they had named the vision the “National Technology Initiative,” Mustafa Varank said, “We said that with this vision, Turkey should develop its own technology in the most advanced fields, nurture the most successful scientists, launch the biggest brands, produce the best products, and develop the most original designs. To this end, guided by the principle that ”a tree is bent while it is young,’ we are carrying out activities targeting all our students from elementary school through university.”.
“This year, the TEKNOFEST flame will burn in the Black Sea”
Noting that they have opened science centers in cities that are accessible to everyone, Varank reported that the Deneyap Technology Workshops—which offer training in fields such as design, robotics, coding, space, and nanotechnology—are now operating in 55 provinces. Recalling that they have brought 42 international schools—which train the world’s best software developers—to Turkey, Minister Varank said, “With TEKNOFEST, now a global brand, tens of thousands of teams and hundreds of thousands of young people are competing with the rockets, electric and autonomous vehicles, UAVs, submarines, and other projects. I invite all our young people and their families to join us in Samsun for TEKNOFEST 2022 starting August 30. This year, the TEKNOFEST flame will burn in the Black Sea.’.
“Applications to participate in our stargazing festivals will remain open until April 15”
“We have stargazing events where our children can participate with their families. ”We used to hold this event only in Saklıkent, but we’ve now expanded it to other cities in Anatolia,“ said Minister Varank, adding, ”Children and their families who wish to participate in our stargazing festivals can submit their applications by April 15.’”.
“Applications for the STAR program are now open”
Varank explained that they are running the Trainee Researcher Scholarship Program (STAR) through TÜBİTAK and providing young people with experience in R&D projects conducted or supported by TÜBİTAK; explained that they have begun accepting applications today for the STAR program, which will award scholarships to an additional 2,300 students.
“I’ve been excited about the Kepez Science Center from the very beginning”
Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), noted in his speech that the Kepez Science Center holds special significance for him. Mandal said, “The Kepez Science Center is a source of special excitement for me. When I took office, we had six science centers. The Kepez Science Center, however, was just getting started. When I took office in 2018, I felt that excitement right from the start; I know just how much effort went into it,” he explained.
Mandal, emphasizing that science centers around the world were established to raise public awareness of science and technology, noted that there are nearly 3,000 science centers worldwide. Mandal noted that science centers previously existed to help people understand what science is and to provide science-based explanations for current events. Pointing out that this situation has changed since the 2010s, he said, ’Science centers have evolved from mere places to visit into spaces where young people engage with science, say “I can do this too,‘ and find answers to today’s challenges. Looking even more closely at recent history, we see that efforts are being made not only to address today’s challenges but also those of the future.’.
Noting that there are seven exhibitions as part of the Science Festival, Mandal said, “We have workshops for every age group, starting with preschoolers. Our eight workshops and 160 experiment kits are set up in a 2,600-square-meter area.”.
Mandal, noting that they had witnessed three events taking place simultaneously in Kepez, commented, “The science center opening, the science festival, and the science fair are all being held at the same time. This event is evolving into something that can rival TEKNOFEST.”.
Mandal, who also mentioned that he had been chatting with young people at the event, noted that he was recalling the TEKNOFEST held in September, saying, “The greatest contribution comes from our young people. The young people who say, ‘I can solve the problems of the future,’ are here.” Mandal also took this opportunity to remind everyone that this year’s TEKNOFEST will take place in the Black Sea Region.
Mandal emphasized that Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank had provided support at every stage of the science center’s construction and also expressed his gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his support.
Following the speeches, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Akdeniz University Rector Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, Kepez Mayor Hakan Tütüncü, members of Parliament, and other dignitaries officially opened the science center and the festival.
Minister Varank Toured BİLİMFEST with the President of TÜBİTAK
Bakan Varank ve TÜBİTAK Başkanı Mandal, TÜBİTAK Popüler bilim yayınları standında çocuklara bilim teknik ve bilim çocuk dergileri hediye etti. Stantları ziyaret eden Varank, Akdeniz üniversitesi mühendislik fakültesi öğrencilerinin Tufan elektromobil %100 aracına bindi.
Minister Varank, who also presided over the opening of the Antalya Science Center, spoke with young people there alongside the President of TÜBİTAK. Minister Varank then visited the workshops organized under the 4007 Science Festival Support Program with his delegation to observe the activities.
BILIMFEST, which began on March 31, will end on April 2.
Turkey’s largest and the region’s only science center
The Antalya Science Center, which will combine the fascinating aspects of science with the historic charm of the restored former Textile Factory, was built on a 12,500-square-meter site. The center, which features 14 exhibition areas, also includes a 210-seat conference hall. With its themed exhibitions—including “Joyful Steps,” “Outdoors,” “Fundamentals of Science,” “Earth and Space,” and “Virtual Reality”—the Antalya Science Center is poised to serve not only Antalya but the entire region as a science center.
The Antalya Science Center, the 7th of the TÜBİTAK Science Centers, brings together individuals of different age groups and with varying levels of knowledge; to make science and technology accessible and understandable, to raise public awareness of their importance, and to encourage individuals to experiment and discover through hands-on and applied activities.
