The Closing Conference of the IPA II period of the Competitive Sectors Programme (CSP), co-financed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye and the European Union, was held in Ankara on 14 October 2026, with the participation of Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology. Under the theme “Turning Innovation into Impact,” the event addressed the development of Türkiye's industrial and technological infrastructure, digital transformation, and the conversion of innovation into economic value.
The conference brought together representatives from the public sector, private sector, academia, and international organisations to review the outcomes of projects supported during the IPA II period and their contributions to Türkiye's competitiveness.
Prof. Dr. Semih Bilgen Participates in Panel on Digital Transformation in Manufacturing
Prof. Dr. Semih Bilgen, the Senior Representative of Istanbul Okan University for the OPINA Project, participated as a panellist in the session titled “From Digital to Efficiency: Tracing Transformation in Manufacturing.” The panel addressed digital transformation in manufacturing and its impact on industry.
Implemented by İstanbul Okan University through the Competitive Sectors Programme, with co-financing from the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, OPINA (Open Innovation Autonomous Vehicle Development and Testing Platform) provides infrastructure for the development and testing of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. Through its simulation, development, and testing capabilities, the platform supports research and development activities.
Plaque Presented to OPINA at the IPA II Projects Closing Ceremony
During the closing ceremony, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, presented a plaque to Prof. Dr. Orhan Behiç Alankuş, Director of the OPINA Project Operations Coordination Unit, on behalf of OPINA, implemented by İstanbul Okan University.
