Our university's Research Dean's Office organized a conference titled "TÜBİTAK Research Support Programs Project Tracking System (ARDEB) Support and Innovations." Prior to the conference, which took place on Friday, November 14th, TÜBİTAK ARDEB Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Arıcı and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakan Öztürk visited Rector Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar in his office.

Following the visit, the conference, held in Hall A of our university's Prof. Dr. Uğur Oral Cultural Center, was attended by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakan Öztürk, Rector's Advisors Prof. Dr. Ayla Özer and Prof. Dr. Fatih İlker Kara, our deans, directors, TÜBİTAK ARDEB Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Arıcı, academic and administrative staff, and students.

Following a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, opening remarks began.

"Effective Management of Research Infrastructures Is of Crucial Importance"

Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakan Öztürk emphasized that our university's R&D and innovation capacity, competence, output quality, and international collaborations have become even more crucial in today's highly competitive world. He said, "Effective management of human resources, research infrastructure, and financial resources, in particular, is crucial for our universities and our country to enter the category of developed countries and achieve sustainable development goals. Our university provides continuous support for both research infrastructure and projects, and improvement efforts on incentive and support mechanisms are ongoing. Based on decisions made by our BAP Committee, financial support for projects is kept as high as possible, and additional support opportunities are offered based on performance. In this context, we encourage our researchers to apply for national and international funding calls, publish in high-impact journals, and submit national and international patent applications, while also increasing their financial support amounts."

"Working Harder and Producing More is Vital for Our University"

Prof. Dr. Öztürk stated that appointment and promotion criteria have been revised in line with the goal of becoming a research university. He said, "We believe that our Research Deanship, established a year ago, will achieve our goals more quickly by conducting research management in a more pluralistic manner through its efforts, in coordination with relevant coordinators, boards, and commissions, to increase R&D and innovation capacity and quality. I am confident that all of our academics, young researchers, and students will be proud to work at a university with a higher reputation. To establish and maintain this reputation, it is crucial for everyone in the R&D and innovation fields to work harder and produce more, so that our university can quickly achieve its goals."

At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Öztürk thanked TÜBİTAK ARDEB Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Arıcı and TÜBİTAK for their positive response to his request for an informational presentation.

Our University's Dean of Research, Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir stated that our University is making firm strides toward becoming a Research University. He stated that applying to and being accepted for TÜBİTAK projects is crucial and valuable in this process, and that the use of artificial intelligence tools in TÜBİTAK projects is becoming a significant factor. He also noted the importance of the "Guide for the Responsible and Trustworthy Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Support Processes," a document published by TÜBİTAK on this topic, and that details, current information, and new applications regarding TÜBİTAK projects will be shared at the upcoming TÜBİTAK-ARDEB Support and Innovations conference. He wished everyone a productive conference and extended his thanks to TÜBİTAK ARDEB Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Arıcı.

Following the speeches, TÜBİTAK ARDEB Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Arıcı gave an introductory presentation about ARDEB. He provided information on ARDEB's organizational structure, core processes, support programs, and project statistics specific to Türkiye and our University.

Following the presentation, a question-and-answer session began. The program continued with Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakan Öztürk presenting Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cengiz Arıcı with a commemorative plaque and certificate of appreciation.

The conference concluded with a group photo.