TUBITAK "The Brain of Turkey", which promoted scientific research and contributed to the development of defense industries

Since the 1960s, successive Turkish governments have established many research centers and institutions that have been entrusted with the task of managing and financing research to serve the vision of the scientific, industrial and technological renaissance, the most important of which is TUBITAK.

Since the founding of the modern Turkish Republic in 1923, successive Turkish governments have sought to advance Turkey in various educational, economic, agricultural, technological and other fields. For this reason, they have established many research centers inside and outside universities to produce research and scientific studies that serve the vision of scientific and industrial renaissance.

In this sense, Turkey established in the mid-1960s the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), to harness scientific and technological research and financially support it for the advancement of science, industries and technology, as well as the national defense industries.

Today, more than 2,500 researchers work in 15 different research institutes affiliated with TUBITAK, where contractual research is conducted in addition to targeted research at the state level in almost various fields.

The origin of the story

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) was established by President Cemal Gursel in 1963 as a leading agency to manage, finance and conduct research in line with national goals and priorities, with the main objective behind its establishment to advance science and technology, conduct research and support Turkish researchers.

TUBITAK is a related institution of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, but it operates as an independent institution managed by a scientific council whose members are selected from prominent scientists from universities and industrial and research institutions within Turkey, serves as an advisory agency for the Turkish government on science and research issues, and is the highest policy-making body in the field of science and technology in Turkey. Turkey In line with the improvement of standards of life in society and the sustainable development of Turkey.

TUBITAK not only supports innovations and academic and industrial research that serve Turkey and contribute to the development of scientific research activities, but also develops, in line with national priorities, scientific and technological policies, runs research and development institutes, and encourages innovations in technological and defense fields.

Moreover, TUBITAK finances research projects conducted in universities and other public and private institutions, conducts research in strategic areas, develops support programs for the public and private sectors, organizes scientific activities within the community, supports graduate students through scholarships, publishes scientific articles and translates Famous science books.

TUBITAK and scientific research

TUBITAK is concerned with developing and coordinating scientific research in line with national goals and priorities, set by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), and the Council represents Turkey in international research efforts through its membership in the European Science Foundation and the European Union Framework Programs for Research and Technological Development.

Among the objectives of TUBITAK is also to support students, whether Turkish or foreign, in their educational path and the development of their personal projects. In this context, it offers scholarships as well as financial support grants for research projects without exception. It also provides financial support for master’s and doctoral degree students, as well as providing opportunities for participation In local and international conferences and symposia, in addition to the scientific exhibitions that he participates in organizing, most notably "Technovest".

Besides the policy of encouragement and financial support for research and projects, TUBITAK publishes 4 famous scientific journals: "Meraklı Tik", "Bilim ve Teknik", "Bilim Genç" and "Bilim Çocuk", to spread science and raise awareness among Turks, in addition to publishing "Tübitak" Popular Science Books" More than 1000 popular science books.

To advance scientific research within universities and research centers in Turkey, TUBITAK has worked on several projects to re-attract minds from abroad, especially Turkish minds who went to study and train and did not return. In this context, TUBITAK implemented the "2232 Pioneering International Researchers Program", which began at the end of 2018, and provides scholarships and financial grants to the researcher, in conjunction with providing a research budget to the institutions in which they will implement research projects when they move to Turkey, and each scientist in the framework of the project undertakes training At least 5 PhD students.

TUBITAK and its role in the development of defense industries

In order to advance the national defense industry sector, TÜBİTAK SAGE was established in 1972, and from the beginning the center aimed to develop Turkey's defense force and provide it with self-sufficiency in the production of its defense force with local capabilities.

Within the framework of the "national technology movement" launched by the Turkish government, "SAGE" succeeded in providing the security forces and the army with a range of locally developed high-tech missiles and ammunition, and over the past years was able to develop a wide range of defense industry products that contribute to increasing the performance of the security forces and forces. Turkish armed forces, most notably laser-guided missiles, "SOM" unmanned aerial vehicles, and "Göktuğ" and "Bozdoğan" air-to-air missiles.

TUBITAK, who managed to manufacture the Turkish space satellite "Rasd" in order to keep pace with space technology and strengthen Turkey's informational volume, is also preparing to participate in the Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter "MMU" project, in addition to the great interest it attaches to participating in the development of Turkish air defense systems.