The “6th National University-Industry Collaboration R&D and Innovation Congress,” hosted by Manisa Celal Bayar University, took place with the theme "The Role of Technology Development Zones and Technology Transfer Offices in the Development of Regional Ecosystems." The congress addressed rapidly changing dynamics in science and technology, sustainability, and innovation.

The congress, which featured 114 paper presentations simultaneously held in four different halls, saw participation from 19 companies in Manisa Teknokent as well as over 60 R&D and Design Centers. Experts from critical sectors such as automotive, defense, aviation, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and digital transformation shared their knowledge and experience. Sessions on sustainability, mobility, intellectual property rights, and technology transfer offered collaboration opportunities for participants.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Osman Çulha, General Manager of Manisa Teknokent and Technology Transfer Office Inc., summarized the goals of the congress as "bringing together all stakeholders of the regional ecosystem to focus on R&D and innovation projects, creating effective collaboration platforms between R&D and Design Centers and academics, establishing partnerships with Technoparks and Technology Transfer Offices to expand the researcher network, and encouraging output-oriented collaboration and interaction activities."

Prof. Dr. Çulha emphasized that the simultaneous sessions in four different halls, conducted online, presented new collaboration opportunities for entrepreneurs, R&D and Design Centers, faculty members, and students. He also mentioned that the "Entrepreneurship competitions, project marketplace, hackathons, design competitions, technology development, intellectual property rights, entrepreneurship, and sustainability panels, as well as invited speakers in the fields of space, aviation, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and digital transformation" would be included in the EGEKAF’25 program to be held on February 26-27, 2025, as part of the 6th National University-Industry Collaboration R&D and Innovation Congress.

Rector Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar highlighted the importance of the theme "The Role of Technology Development Zones and Technology Transfer Offices in the Development of Regional Ecosystems," emphasizing that these institutions play critical roles in transferring academic knowledge to industry and commercializing innovative solutions.

Rector Prof. Dr. Kibar also stated that the speakers sharing their knowledge and experience in sectors like automotive, defense, aviation, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and digital transformation would contribute to Turkey’s technology-driven development process. She noted that the newly established collaboration bridges between universities and industry represent a significant step in achieving sustainable development goals.

Prof. Dr. Kibar thanked institutions such as the Research, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Coordination Office, ÜSİTEM, Manisa Teknokent, Manisa Teknokent TTO, and MATİP for their contributions to the successful organization of the congress, expressing her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event.

The "6th National University-Industry Collaboration R&D and Innovation Congress" successfully concluded, aiming to inspire innovative solutions for the future through idea exchanges.