The Uşak University Advisory Board, established to facilitate sustainable cooperation and share experiences among representatives from public institutions, organizations, and civil society in Uşak, held its first meeting of 2024 on March 29, 2024, at the Uşak University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Congress and Culture Center Senate Hall.

Chaired by Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş, the meeting was attended by Uşak University Vice-Rectors Prof. Dr. Kenan Taş and Prof. Dr. Osman Birgin, Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan Gürcüoğlu, Deputy Chairman of UTSO (Uşak Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Naci Utku Yumuşak, Deputy Director of Uşak Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Haluk Yörük, Coordinator Deputy of Uşak Investment Support Office of Zafer Development Agency Halil Yoldaş, Manager of Uşak (Leather) Mixed Organized Industrial Zone Dr. Cavit Kahya, Canan Öz representing Uşak Craftsmen and Artisans Chambers Union, Şükran Petek Atış representing Uşak Directorate of Industry and Technology, Deputy Director Zafer Kahraman representing Uşak Provincial Directorate of Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR), Deputy Director Yaşar Akyay representing Uşak Provincial Directorate of National Education, Chairman of Uşak Commodity Exchange Mustafa Sezer, Deputy General President of TİKON (Turkish Confederation of Employers' Associations) Utku Demiroz, President of MÜSİAD Uşak Branch İbrahim Akkaş, Director of Uşak Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry Serkan Bilir, Mehmet Kara, Human Resources and Management Manager of Balta Orient Textile Industry and Trade Inc., and Serkan Kuyucu, SME Specialist of KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization).

During the meeting, the Department of Student Affairs provided information about the inclusion of Defense Industry courses integrated into the Departmental Elective Course Pool (OSD) and the closure of the Justice Vocational School. Information was also provided about the Erasmus International Staff Week, which has been organized regularly by Uşak University for the past four years and was planned for this year. Uşak University's quality improvement efforts and progress were shared with the participants. Additionally, a presentation about TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) scholarships was delivered by the Technology Transfer Office.

At the meeting, Associate Professor Dr. Atike İnce Yardımcı, the Coordinator of Uşak Technology Transfer Office, gave a presentation titled "TÜBİTAK TEYDEB R&D and Innovation Support Program". In her presentation, Dr. İnce Yardımcı explained in detail TÜBİTAK's programs aimed at industrialists, highlighting the opportunities and benefits offered by these programs and listing the grant conditions. She also discussed programs to be conducted within the framework of industry-university collaboration and the opportunities provided by the university.

Uşak University Continues to Increase its Achievements

Rector Prof. Dr. Ekrem Savaş shared important developments at Uşak University with the participants. He mentioned the recent NEET PRO project "Youth Working, Uşak Developing" and its contributions to Uşak, highlighting the increase in Uşak University's projects in the 2nd term of 2023 Student Projects. He said, "A total of 112 research projects were applied by active students from associate and undergraduate programs as well as academic staff serving as project advisors in Uşak University for the second term of 2023 call within the scope of TÜBİTAK 2209A and TÜBİTAK 2209B projects. 73 projects were awarded support under TÜBİTAK 2209A and 3 projects under TÜBİTAK 2209B. By doubling the number of accepted projects from the previous term, we have succeeded in ranking second among universities in the TR33 Region. We have already started our work for the next year, and our goal is to increase this number even further."

The meeting concluded after receiving feedback, suggestions, and wishes.