Nine Eylül University's Role in the Healthcare Sector

Dokuz Eylül University's Role in the Health Sector The Dokuz Eylül Ulusal Sağlık Endüstrilerinin İhracat ve Uluslararası Rekabetçiliğin Geliştirilmesi Projesi (SURGE), developed under the leadership of Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Teknoparkı (DEPARK) and in collaboration with Dokuz Eylül Ulusal Sağlık Endüstrileri Derneği (DUSED), was unveiled. DEÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Nükhet Hotar stated, "We plan to implement a clustering model in which different industries in the health sector, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and implants, come together within our university." The 'Dokuz Eylül Ulusal Sağlık Endüstrilerinin İhracat ve Uluslararası Rekabetçiliğin Geliştirilmesi Projesi (SURGE)', submitted to the Ministry of Commerce UR-GE Support Programme by Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Teknoparkı (DEPARK) and Dokuz Eylül Ulusal Sağlık Endüstrileri Derneği (DUSED), has been approved by the ministry. The project launch meeting, which will facilitate clustering in the health sector and make significant contributions to the development of health technologies on the path from idea to product to market, was held at DEÜ's 15 July Health and Arts Campus. The launch meeting, with online participation from DEÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Nükhet Hotar and Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Şuayip Birinci, was attended by TÜBİTAK MAM President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, DEÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Duygu Özel Demiralp, as well as project team members, association officials and university staff. In his opening remarks at the meeting, DEÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Nükhet Hotar noted that Dokuz Eylül University has taken steps supporting the state's national health policies and that the said project should be evaluated in this context. Rector Hotar stated, "Our university, which hosts serious investments in the health field, demonstrated its commitment in this area by establishing DEPARK in 2013, Turkey's first health specialization technopark. Our rectorate aims to take a pioneering step in the health field in line with our university's mission at DEPARK and the expectations of our country in international competition. As DEÜ, we plan to implement a clustering model in which different industries in the health sector, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and implants, come together within our university. We have the necessary capacity, physical infrastructure and human resources for this." Hotar, emphasizing his belief that the clustering created by utilizing DEPARK's capabilities will take the sector to the next level in production and exports, said, "We aim for DEPARK to be the centre of the health valley and clustering, like the silicon valley where technology is produced. In this model, support will be provided at every stage from patenting the idea to its technology and bringing it to the production phase. We are also prepared to carry out the physical investments necessary for establishing the health valley. We thank everyone who has contributed to the implementation of the project."

"Will Add Value to Our Country"

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Şuayip Birinci, participating online, said that Dokuz Eylül University is one of Turkey's leading research universities and noted the importance of R&D and Ur-Ge processes seen during the global pandemic. Birinci, expressing that the strategic nature of DEPARK, Turkey's first health specialization technopark, became apparent with the pandemic, noted that they are making intensive efforts to build strong companies in the health industry, stating, "I believe that the health clustering in İzmir, which leads the development of our small and medium-sized enterprises in the health sector, shaped by university-industry-public cooperation, and is expected to serve a large export potential, will undertake an extremely strong mission. The companies that emerge from here, the projects that form, the new innovations will add value to our country."

"Ideas Will Transform Into Innovation"

İzmir Biyotıp ve Genom Merkezi (İBG) Board Chairman and TÜBİTAK MAM President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, noting that a valuable project is being implemented, said, "The project will contribute to innovative ideas in the health field transforming into innovation and to university-industry cooperation. TÜBİTAK will continue to stand alongside our institutions with support programmes and research capacity in the coming period." DEPARK General Director Prof. Dr. Özgür Özçelik, pointing out that DEÜ has created a strong health and technology ecosystem, stated, "We continue to take steps for technology-driven development of our country and work with all our might to be part of the growth in the health sector." Following the opening remarks, DEÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Duygu Özel Demiralp shared details about the Dokuz Eylül Ulusal Sağlık Endüstrilerinin İhracat ve Uluslararası Rekabetçiliğin Geliştirilmesi Projesi.