EBSO showered Izmir University of Economics with awards
Izmir University of Economics (IUE) left its mark on the first-ever ‘University-Industry Collaboration Project Awards’ organized by the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO). Making a difference with innovative, applicable, and high-R&D capacity projects, IUE achieved great success by receiving five awards at the ceremony, Emphasizing that they view university-industry collaboration as one of the most powerful drivers of regional development, IUE Rector, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “The awards we received are a result of our University's application-oriented education approach and the strong synergy established with the business world.”
The Aegean Region Chamber of Industry held the ‘University-Industry Collaboration Project Awards’ to strengthen ties between academia and industry, increase regional R&D capacity, and encourage the ecosystem by highlighting examples of best practices. Following the jury’s evaluation, numerous universities, academics, and private sector firms operating in Izmir were honored across various categories.
AWARDS FOLLOWED ONE AFTER ANOTHER
While IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu received the ‘Distinguished Service Honor Award’, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu, known for his international work in sustainable energy and climate policy, was selected as the winner of the ‘Academic Service Award’. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Güneri Şahin (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering) received the ‘Academic Service Special Award’ for his work on the ‘Sustainable University-Industry Collaboration Model in Engineering’, Prof. Dr. Ramazan Tuğrul Senger (Department of Physics) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Sayılgan (Department of Mechatronics Engineering) were both honored with the ‘University-Industry Collaboration (USI) Award’.
“WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE”
Receiving his award from EBSO Chairman Ender Yorgancılar at the ceremony held in the EBSO Service Building, Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “Thanks to our deep-rooted ties with the Izmir Chamber of Commerce and our strong communication with the business world, we bring our students together with the industry during their education and transform our research directly into production and added value. These awards we have received are a result of our University’s practice-oriented approach to education and the strong synergy it has established with the business world. We will continue to contribute to our country's competitiveness by taking these collaborations even further.”
“KNOWLEDGE MUST FIND ITS EQUIVALENT IN THE FIELD”
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu, Vice Rector and Director of the IUE Sustainable Energy and Climate Policies Research Center (SENLAB), stated in his speech, “Receiving this award on behalf of SENLAB, which I founded, is very meaningful. This achievement is also a reflection of the vision and support of Izmir University of Economics. We never approached university-industry collaboration within a narrow framework. When establishing SENLAB, we acted on the principle that ‘producing knowledge is not enough; that knowledge must find its equivalent in the field.’ Energy transition is not just a matter of technology, but also of behavior and decision-making. That is why we have adopted an approach that centers on digital transformation, is data-driven, and understands behavior. This success is not an end for us, but a beginning. I would like to thank all my colleagues and stakeholders, especially my university.”
