Architect and Engineers Group (MMG) conducted the third organization in the annual series of the Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation Summit and Expo between 17 and 18 October in Lutfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center in Istanbul.

The summit gathered notable speakers from the industry and relevant ministries, paving the way for technological advancement in the country. The insightful panels delved into the leading-edge topics from the internet of things, artificial intelligence, robotics, paradigm shifting technologies in aviation, renewable energy to smart cities.

The exhibition featured leading technology firms and startups, technoparks from all across the country, development agencies, R&D centers, universities and their technology offices, as well as many other public and private technology and innovation oriented organizations.

Speaking at the summit, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Fatih Dönmez noted that “here (in the field of technology) a lot of investment and patience is required. To produce products with high added value, the first and foremost prerequisite is research and development”.

Underscoring that Turkey’s partnerships in the nuclear energy field would contribute to rendering Turkey’s energy independent. Dönmez promised that these steps would eventually pave the way to completely local production of energy.

Advising students and young entrepreneurs on future prospects and career directions, the minister called on youth to lead and pioneer innovations and not to refrain from taking risks. Noting that the key issue is not merely local production of energy, Dönmez underscored the importance of nationalizing the technologies in the energy field. In an exemplary manner, the minister highlighted how the various organizations affiliated with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources were working in close collaboration with universities in R&D and developing new technologies. The minister further noted that the Research Centre for Rare Earth Elements was launched to conduct studies in renewable energy and clean energy technologies.

The exhibition featured many locally developed technologies ranging from robots to an electric car developed entirely by Turkish engineers. With 60 experienced speakers from the field and government in 14 fruitful panels, the summit aimed to “facilitate industrial transformation and overcome the difficulties in commercializing the outcomes of R&D studies”