Bahçeşehir University Holds "Sustainable Future Meetings" in Adana

Bahçeşehir University came together with academics, industry representatives and local government stakeholders in Adana within the scope of the "Sustainable Future Meetings." Speaking at the program, Bahçeşehir University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel noted that there are difficulties in finding qualified staff in industry and said: "Let's bring the university together with industry. Let's set up technology transfer offices. When industry has difficulty finding staff, it should turn to the university. And students and academics at the university should gain practical experience in industry."

As part of its 25th anniversary events and as a gift to the 100th anniversary of the Republic, Bahçeşehir University organized the "Sustainable Future Meetings" panel in Adana, one of our leading cities in agricultural production and tourism. The program was attended by Bahçeşehir University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel, Adana Chamber of Industry President Zeki Kıvanç, Bilici Holding Chairman of the Board Mehmet Ali Bilici, CIFAL Istanbul Director Prof. Dr. Ebru Canan Sokullu, BAU SÜGAM Director Assist. Prof. Dr. Pınar Özuyar, Brands For Good Vice President Aysun Şabanlı, and Bahçeşehir University Finance Center Director Prof. Dr. İbrahim Ünalmış.

"WE ARE BRINGING UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRY TOGETHER"

Speaking at the program, Bahçeşehir University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel stated that universities need to open up and meet with the sector. Noting that change and transformation are possible through education and that there are difficulties in finding qualified staff in industry, Yücel said: "Universities think they are training students suited to the sector. Universities say, 'This is my prototype. This is the kind of staff I train,' but the industrial sector is looking for employees with a different profile. That is why we bring university and industry together at these meetings. If we cannot bring Türkiye's universities together with the industrial sector, our 5 million students will not be fit for the future. I say, let's bring the university together with industry. Let's set up technology transfer offices. When industry has difficulties, it should turn to the university. And students and academics at the university should gain practical experience in industry."

"WE NEED TO RAPIDLY DEVELOP OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY"

In his speech, Adana Chamber of Industry President Zeki Kıvanç stated that the world has entered a significant transformation and change, saying: "This change is progressing in a dual balance of decarbonization and digitalization. While our companies continue to struggle with current conditions, radical changes are taking place in business models all over the world. Therefore, we need to rapidly develop our ability to adapt to the global economy. Today, climate change deeply concerns every area of our lives, from health to agriculture, from industrial production to logistics, and ultimately from education to social life. As you all know, with the Green Deal, the European Union aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030. By 2050, it aims to reach the target of net zero carbon emissions. The green transformation is not merely an action plan. It is the harbinger and road map of a significant environmental, economic and social change. If we want to have a say and exist in the future, we have no choice but to adapt to it. We need to see that the Green Deal, while being a risk for Türkiye, also offers a new opportunity for sustainable development. In this sense, as a country, we should see the green transformation as an important opportunity rather than a threat. There is a very challenging process ahead of us. We have to know how and in what way to act in adapting to this process of change. We now hear concepts such as the green deal, carbon footprint, water footprint, circular economy, recycling, the farm-to-fork strategy, carbon markets and sustainability in every area of our lives. Whatever they are called, all we need to do is to make our production compatible with ecological balances. To be more environmentally friendly. And while doing so, to follow the world and comply with accepted rules."

After the opening speeches, the program continued, moderated by CIFAL Istanbul Director Prof. Dr. Ebru Canan Sokullu, with a presentation by BAU SÜGAM Director Assist. Prof. Dr. Pınar Özuyar on "Risks and Opportunities in the Changing Understanding of Sustainability" and sessions titled "New Vision: Sustainable Brand." The report to be prepared after the event aims to contribute to regional development and the "Sustainable Development Goals."