METU fosters innovation through collaborative projects with the industry and public sector.

METU Teknokent

METU Teknokent was established in 2001 to bring together research institutions and industrial enterprises to cooperate towards research-and-development and innovative activities, engaging in knowledge and technology transfer. METU Teknokent hosts more than 450 companies (https://odtuteknokent.com.tr/tr/firmalar/tum-firmalar.php).

METU Technology Transfer Office (TTO)

Funded by TÜBİTAK 1513 Technology Transfer Offices Support Programme, METU Technology Transfer Office (METU-TTO) was founded to focus on university-industry collaboration. METU-TTO assumes a central position in delivering the output of R&D activity by METU researchers to the community's service. The execution of University-Industry Cooperation activities, management of intellectual property rights of created by the R&D activity of METU faculty, and their commercialization for both community's use and generation of income for further research are the main objectives of the unit. METU TTO focuses on three main strategies:

To carry out activities to improve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of innovations; for the lowest TRL Level innovations (TRL1), collaborations with small- and medium scale enterprises were given primary importance.

To disseminate academic entrepreneurship among METU researchers by supporting them set up businesses towards further development and commercialization of innovations found in the METU TTO portfolio.

The relationships with the institutions already collaborated through companies and TTOgroups, new projects will be made more sustainable though new projects within the scope of internationalization.

Other Collaborations

Within the framework of the knowledge and competencies of the university, strengthening existing structures and creating new ones, the growth strategy focusing on technology-based entrepreneurship has been continued. In 2018, the activities and program such as YFYİ (Yeni Fikirler Yeni İşler), Animation Technologies and Game Development Center (ATOM), TÜBİTAK 1512 Individual Young Initiative Program (BİGG) TEKNOSTART, TeknoMENTORs program, Incubation Program and Investor-Entrepreneur meetings, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Platform are organized with increasing interest from participants. Growth Circuit—an accelerator program and investment company founded by METU Technopolis, aiding initial-phase technological investments within the Turkish entrepreneurship ecosystem, towards accessing to international markets. Growth Circuit Ventures is aiding technology start-ups with $ 25,000-250,000 investments, also establishing Turkey's first co-working space sponsored by Technopolis, Cozone,

within Technopolis Informatics Innovation Center (BİLİM) to host 350 members iına 2,300 squaremeter space. LABSOUT is a research based (intellectual property focused) startup accelerator, with the objective to help identify, develop, and speed up the commercialization of university-based intellectual property through commercialization by licensing the technology to the new startups established by the inventors.)

· METU Teknokent "New Ideas New Businesses " (YFYİ)

"New Ideas New Businesses "(YFYİ) international acceleration program is implemented in cooperation with ODTÜ and ODTÜ TEKNOKENT, which was organized for the 15th time in 2019, provides appropriate environment for students and new graduates, who have innovative and technology-based business ideas, to implement their ideas and support them to become successful businessmen.The number of companies that have been established with the direct support provided by the program is over 70. When, however, indirect support is considered, this number exceeds 250 with over 1000 people employed.For detailed information, please visit www.yfyi.com

· Metu Teknokent Defence Industry Cluster (Tssk)

The METU TEKNOKENT Defense Industry Cluster (TSSK), operating under METU TEKNOKENT, was established in 2010 with the aim of bringing together more than 140 R&D-focused companies, the university, and research centers working in the fields of defense, aviation, and security. The cluster aims to strengthen university-industry collaboration to foster the development of innovative technologies, ensure the efficient use of resources, and enhance international competitiveness. Housed within the Defense Industry Research and Technology Development Center (SATGEB) and comprising the R&D units of major defense companies, TSSK operates in strategic fields such as unmanned systems, communications, electronics, cryptography, simulation, and advanced materials technologies. Cluster members have made significant contributions to Turkey's leading defense projects, such as ANKA, ATAK, ALTAY, MİLGEM, and GÖKTÜRK-2; they also support the development of qualified human resources through the SAYP program—which connects graduate researchers with the defense industry—and via research centers. Certified with a "Bronze Label" by the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) in 2012, TSSK has also demonstrated its capability to develop strategic partnerships with clusters across Europe.https://tssk.org.tr/

· Metu Teknokent Ict Cluster

The ODTÜ TEKNOKENT ICT Cluster was established to expand ODTÜ TEKNOKENT's clustering activities beyond the defence industry by bringing together ICT companies, researchers, and academics within a collaborative innovation ecosystem. Representing around half of all companies in ODTÜ TEKNOKENT, the cluster supports R&D collaboration, technology commercialization, internationalization, and university–industry partnerships while contributing to the development of a skilled workforce through training and academic engagement. Its member companies operate across a wide range of fields, including enterprise software, cybersecurity, distance learning, smart systems, mobile applications, gaming, e-health, big data, and cloud technologies.https://odtuteknokent.com.tr/en/programs/collaboration-among-companies-b...

· Advanced Health Technologies Cluster (T.HEALTH)

In recent years, ODTÜ TEKNOKENT has strengthened its clustering strategy to enhance collaboration, innovation, and access to national and international markets. Following the establishment of the ODTÜ TEKNOKENT Defence Industry Cluster (TSSK) in 2010 and the ODTÜ TEKNOKENT ICT Cluster in 2014, the Advanced Health Technologies Cluster (T.HEALTH) was launched in 2016 as a technology-driven initiative. Designed to complement rather than replace existing health clusters, T.HEALTH promotes collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate innovation and the development of advanced health technologies.https://odtuteknokent.com.tr/en/programs/collaboration-among-companies-b...

· ASELSAN ACADEMY

In order to take advantage of university-industry cooperation with profound R&D implications; METU, ASELSAN and three Research Universities (Gazi University, Gebze Technical University and Istanbul Technical University) signed a Graduate Education Protocol in 2018.The program entails cooperation not only with ASELSAN, but also among participating research universities towards contributing to our defense industry in the fields of technology and engineering. The number of graduate students participating in the ASELSAN Academy program are increasing with the heightened involvement of METU. News

Design and Analysis Lab opened in Department of Aerospace Engineering

A Design and Analysis Laboratory has been established within the Department of Aerospace Engineering at METU by Turkish Aerospace Inc. (TUSAŞ). The opening ceremony of the laboratory was held on Friday, May 31.The Design and Analysis Laboratory will be used for postgraduate research and doctoral dissertations to be conducted in collaboration with TUSAŞ. Thus, through advanced research, it is expected that the laboratory will contribute to the relationship between the METU Department of Aerospace Engineering and TUSAŞ. The computational infrastructure in the laboratory, along with its capabilities in aerodynamics, propulsion, aerospace structures and materials, will enable the development of unique engineering software in the fields of flight mechanics and control. Additionally, the laboratory will pave the way for the more widespread use of open-source software in academia and industry, and support various other research areas that are extensively studied in the METU Department of Aerospace Engineering. Moreover, R&D activities will be conducted in the Design and Analysis Laboratory to promote the widespread use of multidisciplinary optimization, sustainable energy sources, and artificial intelligence in the aerospace sector.https://haber.metu.edu.tr/en/2024/06/design-and-analysis-lab-opened-in-d... https://basinda.metu.edu.tr/images/basin/1849838463_0.jpg

- METU Design Factory Strengthens Europe's Innovation Ecosystem through the EIT-Funded TECH2X Project

The METU Design Factory is a partner in the TECH2X project, funded under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Higher Education Initiative, which aims to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship capacity in higher education institutions. Bringing together universities and innovation partners from Türkiye, Spain, Italy, and Germany, the project promotes deep-tech innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the transition toward fourth-generation universities. TECH2X focuses on developing innovation-oriented curricula, supporting entrepreneurship through mentoring and incubation—particularly for women entrepreneurs—enhancing collaboration among universities, research centers, and industry, and creating a scalable, science-based innovation ecosystem that addresses societal challenges while fostering international partnerships and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

IV. International Conference & Exhibition on Digital Transformation & Smart Systems: Beyond Boundaries: Digital, Smart, and Sustainable (DTSS 2025)

The International Conference and Exhibition on Digital Transformation & Smart Systems (DTSS) 2025, organized by METU-DTX, brought together academics, students, entrepreneurs, investors, industry professionals, policymakers, and technology enthusiasts under the theme "Beyond Boundaries: Digital, Smart, and Sustainable." The conference served as a platform for networking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the exchange of innovative research and technologies, fostering new partnerships and ecosystems in fields such as artificial intelligence, smart transportation, autonomous vehicles, sensor technologies, additive manufacturing, cloud computing, big data, cybersecurity, green transformation, and sustainability.https://dtss.metu.edu.tr/dtss-2025/

Solar PES: Solar Energy Powered Positive Energy Schools

The "Solar PES: Solar Energy Powered Positive Energy Schools" project, to be coordinated by ODTÜ-GÜNAM, has been awarded funding under the grant programme referenced as EuropeAid/182996/ID/ACT/TR, administered by the Directorate General for EU and Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change of the Republic of Turkey, and the project contracts have been signed. The Ankara Development Agency, the Ankara Provincial Directorate of National Education and the METU Development Foundation Schools are participating in the project as partners. The project aims to develop sustainable and climate-friendly educational facilities in schools that generate their own energy using solar energy technologies; the objective is to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy applications into educational environments. https://odtugunam.org/tr/haberlera/solar-pes-projesi-icin-imzalar-atildi/ https://tr.linkedin.com/posts/odtu-gunam_odt%C3%BC-g%C3%BCnam-ba%C5%9Fvu...

The "Certificate Programme in Energy Transition and Strategic Development", launched in collaboration between SOCAR Turkey and METU

The "Energy Transition and Strategic Development Certificate Program" was developed for public sector employees working in the fields of energy transition, digitalization, and sustainability, or those seeking to specialize in these areas. The certificate program aims to provide participants with a current and comprehensive perspective on topics such as energy transition, digitalization, sustainability, artificial intelligence, data management, energy security, green finance, and carbon management. The program will last a total of 32 hours, with 90 percent of the training conducted online and 10 percent through in-person sessions consisting of opening and closing events. The training sessions will be delivered by METU faculty members and expert executives from SOCAR Turkey.

Standing out as an innovative example of university-private sector collaboration, the program is the first energy-focused certification program in Turkey developed by the private sector for public sector employees. Aiming to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of adapting to the rapidly changing dynamics of the energy sector, the program seeks to impart next-generation competencies through a comprehensive learning model supported by up-to-date knowledge.

https://www.socar.com.tr/basin-bultenleri/socar-turkiye-ve-odtu-is-birli...

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