CarrefourSA Opens Technology and Impact Center

Sabancı Holding and its Carrefour subsidiary CarrefourSA, as part of the Sabancı Youth Mobilization initiative, opened the CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre in cooperation with Kocaeli University Faculty of Technology. The CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre will provide students with training in various fields ranging from artificial intelligence-focused technologies to data analytics and will develop joint projects.

CarrefourSA, which continues to deliver the right product from the right producer at the right price to its customers through 1,200 stores across 70 provinces in Turkey and employs 15,000 staff, opened the CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre in cooperation with Kocaeli University Faculty of Technology as part of the Sabancı Youth Mobilization initiative launched under the Sabancı Group umbrella. The CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre, which opened its doors at a ceremony attended by Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk, Sabancı Holding Finance Group Chairman and CarrefourSA Board Chairman Orhun Köstemoğlu and CarrefourSA CEO Kutay Kartallıoğlu, as well as numerous academics and students, will be available to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students studying at the Faculty of Technology, researchers and entrepreneurs.

Speaking at a press conference on the subject, Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk said: "We care about our country and the careers of our young people. Therefore, we have set ourselves the goal of undertaking high value-added work. We are working with all our strength to develop and disseminate the infrastructure and research climate that will pave the way for all kinds of scientific and technological progress, and we are increasing our collaborations with each passing day. Today, we are bringing to life an important project with CarrefourSA, a global brand that has expanded its service network especially after joining the Sabancı group in our country. Within the scope of Sabancı Youth Mobilization, the 'CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre' opened at our university is perhaps one of the most valuable investments in valuing young people and discovering their potential so they can realize themselves. Thanks to this centre, our students will be able to prepare for working life after graduation in a better equipped manner. Through this centre, our students will receive training in technology, increase their knowledge and skills, and develop innovative R&D projects. As a result, the bridges we have built between the sector and academia will be further strengthened," he said.

"This centre is an important step reflecting our goal of converting brain drain into brain gain"

Speaking at the opening, Sabancı Holding Finance Group Chairman and CarrefourSA Board Chairman Orhun Köstemoğlu said: "Under the leadership of our Sabancı Holding CEO Cenk Alper, with our Sabancı Youth Mobilization project to convert 'brain drain into brain gain', we are opening Technology and Impact Centres throughout Turkey. The CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre, our third centre, which we opened in cooperation with CarrefourSA and Kocaeli University Faculty of Technology, is one of the most concrete examples of this long-term mobilization," he said.

Saying they were inspired by Atatürk's words 'All my hope is in youth', Köstemoğlu continued: "To realize the vision of Sabancı Group, which promises 'To unite Turkey and the world with pioneering initiatives for a sustainable life', we strengthen this belief we have in our young people with every step. The Sabancı Technology and Impact Centres we have spread throughout Turkey within the scope of Sabancı Youth Mobilization are actually the modern reflections of our Republic values. Believing in young people, trusting them completely and following the path of continuous progress form the foundation of the thinking behind these centres. This centre, where young people are equipped with knowledge and supported by innovative projects, is an important step reflecting our goal of looking towards the future with hope and converting brain drain into brain gain."

Will support young people's creative ideas

CarrefourSA CEO Kutay Kartallıoğlu, who said that CarrefourSA's youth vision is built on three key values, stated: "CarrefourSA, working with the vision of 'What's Right for Life', bases these values on innovation, sustainability and inclusivity. We are proud to be a company that, while remaining loyal to these values, supports young people's creative ideas, works with them for a sustainable future and promotes an inclusive environment. For more than 30 years, while serving our customers throughout Turkey, we have not only been a retail brand, but have a structure that produces, develops with technology and adds value to Turkey. By integrating the power of digitalization and technology into our way of doing business, we support young people's energy and innovative way of thinking. In this context, with the CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre we established in cooperation with Kocaeli University Faculty of Technology, we produce digital solutions and integrate new technologies into our operations, offering young people opportunities for development and contribution in this field. With the Youth Mobilization project launched by Sabancı Group, we are taking an important step to bring out young people's potential in the best way and provide them with opportunities. In CarrefourSA's this vision, innovation, sustainability and inclusivity form our core values. Remaining loyal to these values, we will continue to be a company that supports young people's creative ideas, works with them for a sustainable future and promotes an inclusive environment."

Will focus on artificial intelligence-driven technologies

At the CarrefourSA Technology and Impact Centre, it is aimed for young people to work on technology and digital transformation-focused projects by coming together with professionals. At the centre, training will be provided in areas such as software architecture, artificial intelligence transformations, data analytics, big data approaches, ABAP programming, Python and deep learning, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Agile project management and Scrum. Additionally, digital media literacy training will enhance young people's media literacy competencies. Through this centre, CarrefourSA aims to support young people's development and foster a continuous learning culture by offering opportunities to enter working life with sector dynamics, opportunities to develop projects suited to a new generation market understanding, and opportunities to gain experience with artificial intelligence-focused projects.