BIOTECHNOLOGY VALLEY AND ÜSKÜDAR UNIVERSITY SIGN STRATEGIC COOPERATION PROTOCOL.

Aiming for stronger interaction between academic knowledge and the biotechnology ecosystem, the Biotechnology Valley signed a 'Strategic Cooperation Protocol' with Üsküdar University. The protocol aims to deepen university-industry collaboration on an institutional basis, integrate students into production and R&D processes at an earlier stage, promote a culture of joint projects, and strengthen the qualified human resources in the field of biotechnology.

The Biotechnology Valley, positioned as Türkiye's new science and technology hub aiming for stronger interaction between academic knowledge and the biotechnology ecosystem, has added another protocol to those it has already signed with universities. In this context, a 'Strategic Cooperation' Protocol was signed at the Üsküdar University Central Campus with the participation of Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BİYOSAD and BİOSB; Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University; academics; and Biotechnology Valley administrators. The protocol aims to deepen university-industry collaboration on an institutional basis, integrate students into production and R&D processes at an earlier stage, spread a culture of joint projects, and strengthen the qualified human resources in the field of biotechnology.

“THE GOAL OF BEING IN THE TOP 10 IN BIOTECHNOLOGY IS ONLY POSSIBLE IF ALL STAKEHOLDERS COME TOGETHER AROUND THE SAME VISION.”

Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BİYOSAD and BİOSB, stated that achieving the desired goals in biotechnology is only possible when all stakeholders come together around the same vision.

“As the Biotechnology Valley, we continue to strengthen the integration of academia and industry, which we have been pursuing with determination for a long time, with new collaborations. This protocol we signed with Üsküdar University is one of the concrete steps in our vision of becoming a global leader in biotechnology. Türkiye's goal of entering the top 10 countries in the field of biotechnology is only possible when all stakeholders come together around the same vision and produce together. In the Biotechnology Valley, we bring together academia, industry, and young talents within the same ecosystem. We are building a model where scientific output does not remain on the shelves, but is transformed into a product, a commercial output, and most importantly, a value for our country.”

"THE BIOTECHNOLOGY VALLEY IS AN ECOSYSTEM THAT TRANSFORMS KNOWLEDGE INTO ECONOMIC VALUE."

Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş stated that academic-industry collaborations are an important part of Türkiye's journey towards high value-added production.

“Our vision, which we have put forward as the region’s largest valley formation, is not just a physical cluster, but a holistic ecosystem that generates knowledge, develops technology, and transforms this knowledge into economic value. Through the collaborations we have established with universities, we ensure that our students become a natural part of production and R&D processes, while also strengthening the production and workforce capacity for our industrialists,” he said.

PROF. DR. NAZIFE GÜNGÖR: “THE KNOWLEDGE PRODUCED MUST DEFINITELY REACH BEYOND THE CAMPUS.”

At the signing ceremony, which was attended by Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Türker Tekin Ergüzel, and Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. Muhsin Konuk, Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör emphasized that new generation universities should be integrated with social benefit and industry. Stating that the collaboration with the Biotechnology Valley is part of this vision, Güngör said;

“The knowledge produced must necessarily extend beyond the campus, and knowledge production must be carried out in collaboration with those outside the campus. Because only then can you truly connect with reality. Only then can you see and respond to the real needs of society. Therefore, this collaboration is important from this perspective as well. We are carrying out very important work within the framework of our mission to create a global vision together with you, to produce knowledge together in terms of the needs of the world and humanity, and the needs of society, and to transform the produced knowledge into practice.”

PROF. DR. NEVZAT TARHAN: “THE BIOTECHNOLOGY VALLEY IS IMPORTANT FOR Türkiye'S FUTURE”

Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that the Biotechnology Valley is an important step for Türkiye's future. Highlighting the importance of the project progressing with concrete steps, Tarhan emphasized the importance of collaboration. Tarhan said:

“I was very excited when we toured the Biotechnology Valley. The work is progressing with concrete steps, not just remaining theoretical. After seeing that determination, I realized that the Biotechnology Valley is very important for Türkiye's future. Combining engineering, health, and behavior, behavioral sciences were our thematic goal. Now, with the combination of genetics and artificial intelligence, the secrets of human behavior, the origins of diseases, and the doors to genetic intervention are opening. A new drug development model has emerged; biotechnological drugs are being created by altering gene expression. This point, which combines engineering, medicine, and genetics, is where the future of medicine is headed. We missed the industrial revolution, but let's not miss this artificial intelligence revolution. We need to combine artificial intelligence with genetics and behavioral sciences. This valley will be for people who have projects, who think differently, who think unconventionally, who have intellectual rebellion and intellectual dissent. There are many people in Türkiye with this potential. The whole point is to pave the way and prepare the ground.”

"AMATEUR SPIRIT SHOULD BE COMBINED WITH PROFESSIONAL METHODS"

Tarhan noted that as a university, they have adopted a project-oriented education model and that it is important for knowledge to be transformed into products through collaboration with industry;

“The Biotechnology Valley uses professional methods and scientific methodology, but it tries to do so with an amateur spirit. If this amateur spirit is combined with professional methods, this work will develop and progress. If the two don't combine, we will slow down and be left incomplete. As a university, work progresses when different institutions that share our vision and act in a similar way for the same purpose come together. We can move forward with common goals and common methods. In the next 10 years, cellular therapies, stem cells, and biotechnological products will become entirely about transforming knowledge into products. This can only happen through industrial collaboration. We are very pleased that the industry and decision-makers in Türkiye share this vision.”

DR. VARLIBAŞ AND HIS DELEGATION VISITED THE LABORATORIES AND RECEIVED INFORMATION.

Following the signing ceremony of the 'Strategic Cooperation Protocol', Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş and his delegation toured the Üsküdar University laboratories where scientific studies are conducted and received information.