Hosted by Kastamonu University, the Kastamonu R&D and Innovation Project Market, held on October 16, 2026, in the Sezai Karakoç Hall, brought together research, development, and innovation-focused projects.
Our university, in collaboration with the Kastamonu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KATSO), Teknokent A.Ş., and the Kastamonu University Technology Transfer Office, held a program attended by our Vice Rectors, Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük and Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı, and Deputy Secretary General. The program was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Demirbaş, representatives from public institutions and organizations, representatives from Teknokent, our academic staff, students, and guests.
Prof. Dr. Alperen Kaymakcı, General Manager of Kastamonu Teknokent, delivered the opening remarks for the program.
Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı emphasized the importance of transforming scientific and technological innovations into viable projects and those projects into economic and social value. Noting that Kastamonu Teknokent aims to bridge the gap between our university's knowledge base and the needs of industry, support entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, and strengthen the city's capacity to produce technology, Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı stated that they place great importance on the work carried out within Kastamonu Teknokent, adding value to both Kastamonu and the country.
Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı, who provided information on the activities conducted at Kastamonu Technopark, emphasized that they prioritize supporting academics, students, and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. Noting that Teknokent's development is not limited solely to an increase in the number of companies, Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı stated that strengthening the entrepreneurial infrastructure, expanding academic collaborations, and supporting technology-focused projects also play a significant role in this development.
Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı shared the data on the number of projects within the Teknokent. Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı stated that the number of projects, which was 15 in 2020, has increased to 75 in 2025. Prof. Dr. Kaymakcı stated that during the reporting period covering the years 2021-2026, a total of 61 projects, including 39 software, 20 R&D, and 2 design projects, were recorded, and expressed their aim to increase the number of projects further.
Speaking at the event, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of project-based work throughout our university. Emphasizing that ideas must be transformed into projects through hard work and determination, Prof. Dr. Küçük noted that a research and entrepreneurship ecosystem has emerged at our university recently, increasing student participation in project development. He stated that the tangible results of these efforts have been evident in various fields at our university over the past five to six years.
Stating that TÜBİTAK 2209 student projects hold an important place in training future researchers and in the development of the R&D ecosystem, Prof. Dr. Küçük said that our university has made significant progress in this field. Noting that the number of approved TÜBİTAK 2209 projects has exceeded 1,200, Prof. Prof. Dr. Küçük stated that an ecosystem has been created to encourage students to turn their ideas into projects.
Stating that the project work carried out at our university is not limited to TÜBİTAK support, Prof. Dr. Küçük expressed that the project culture has spread to different units of our university, especially through the activities of the Technology Transfer Office. Stating that students have also achieved significant success in social responsibility projects, Küçük emphasized that these projects have added social value to the city.
Prof. Dr. Küçük stated that our university ranks among the top 20 universities in Türkiye for monitoring and evaluation reports on social responsibility projects and also mentioned our work in this field. Küçük stated that the success achieved by Kastamonu University, which was established in 2006 and is among the young universities, is an indicator of the system created and the ongoing efforts.
Noting that support provided by various institutions—particularly TÜBİTAK and the Ministry of Youth and Sports—encourages project development, Prof. Dr. Küçük said that students have shown interest in the calls for proposals. Calling on academics and students not to hesitate to develop projects, Prof. Dr. Küçük emphasized the importance of taking the first step toward success. Recalling that breakthroughs often follow failures, Prof. Dr. Küçük stated that the fundamental goal should be for the projects developed to contribute to the university, the city, and the country.
After the opening speeches, the participants toured the exhibition and received information from the project owners. Throughout the day, participants held discussions about the exhibition projects and evaluated new collaboration opportunities.
After the exhibition was completed, the jury members evaluated the projects. The awards for the ranked projects and the works deemed worthy of special recognition were presented to their recipients at a ceremony held at the Cemil Meriç Hall of our University's Central Library.
Our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, President of the Technology Development Zones Association (TGBD), Dr. İbrahim Yavuz, General Manager of Kastamonu Teknokent, Prof. Dr. Alperen Kaymakcı, representatives of public institutions and organizations, representatives of Technopolis, our academic staff, students, and guests attended.
Student Category
In the student category, Melek Terzi won third place for her "Waste Shield Project." Türkü Açıkgöz's project titled "BiotinClear™: Microfluidic Sample Preparation Cartridge for Pre-analytical Management of Biotin Interference" was awarded second place. In contrast, the first-place award went to Mert Yasin Yılmaz for his project titled "Whisper: Discovery of Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer Biomarkers Using Multi-Omics Data and Artificial Intelligence."
Honorable mentions in the student category were awarded to İrem Çetinkol's project, titled "MCP Shield," and to Oğuz Yıldırım and Baran Kalkan's project, titled "Hybrid UAV Wing Anti-Icing System."
Entrepreneurship Category
In the Entrepreneurship category, the third-place award went to Kadir Doğanay's project titled "Agri-Tech: AR-Enabled Interactive Farming Simulation." Şenol Karabaltaoğlu's project, titled "Pazar0," was awarded second place. In contrast, the first-place award went to Muhammed Eyup Kaya's project, titled "PrintHere – Smart Printing Kiosk."
Academic Category
In the Academic Category, the third-place award went to Prof. Dr. Gökhan Filik, a faculty member at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, for his project titled "FNanosil: Innovative, Locally Sourced, and Plant-Based Sialic Acid Stabilization." The second-place award was given to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülşah Çongur, a faculty member at Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, for her project titled "Detection of Phenol and Paracetamol in Water Using a Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle-Modified Disposable Voltammetric Sensor." The first-place award went to Lecturer Esranur Kızılhan of İstinye University for her project titled "Vacupulse."
Honorable mentions in the academic category were awarded to Dr. Ömer Yılmaz, Assistant Professor at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, for his project titled "Nurse-Lab: Digital NursingApplication Laboratory," and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erman Zurnacı from our university for his study titled "Launch System Enabling Remote and Autonomous Intervention in Forest Fires."
Special Awards Category
The Kastamonu University 20th Anniversary Award was presented to Coşkun Cengiz for his project titled "Skill Verse: Vocational Skills Training and Simulation Platform."
The Teknokent Special Award went to Ahmet Gün's project titled "AI-Supported Integrated Financial Information and Autonomous Decision Support Platform."
The Social Benefit Award was presented to Sümeyye Melek Yılmaz for her project titled "Accessible Campus." The COP31 Special Award went to Buğra Akçahasan for his project titled "Teknokanat."
