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The global point of view in industrial transformation, the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNDP’s support to OIZs were presented at the 3rd National University-Industry Collaboration, R&D and Innovation Convention by Kısmet Deniz Çiftçi Arslan, coordinator of the Technology Development in OIZs Project at UNDP Turkey.
This year, the 3rd Session of the National University-Industry Collaboration, R&D and Innovation Convention was organized by the Manisa Celal Bayar University. At the convention, representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Manisa Celal Bayar University, UNDP, and various public and private institutions had the opportunity to assess the past and future of industrial transformation.
UNDP Projects Coordinator Deniz Çiftçi highlighted that industrial development is a concept that cannot be considered independently from human and sustainable development, inclusive growth, and green economy. She presented the activities conducted for transformation in the Turkish industry and innovation in OIZs as part of Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. UNDP has been working on 3 major projects on productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship, all aiming to find practical and innovative approaches to Turkey’s development priorities.
Devrim Şavlı, director of the Manisa OIZ Innovation Center established within the scope of the Transformation of OIZs Project made a presentation entitled “From Theory to Policy and Implementation: The Manisa OIZ Innovation Center” at the convention. Through the presentation, Şavlı shared the short and long-term goals of the Innovation Center with the participants and expressed the desire to produce examples of best practices through the project by conducting various experimental activities. Şavlı also expressed his faith and determination regarding the success of the Innovation Center, with its effective coordination structure and motivated team.
Model Factories are currently being established in various cities across Turkey within the scope of the Model Factory Project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Technology with the aim of increasing productivity and accelerating the digital transformation processes. A Model Factory has been established in Ankara in 2018, followed by those in Konya and Kayseri. These centers, established through a collaboration between private and public actors, aim to change the mentalities on continuous improvement, lean production, digital transformation, etc. in order to make sure all resources are used as efficiently as possible and increase the competitiveness of the enterprises.
The Technological Development in OIZs Project is also a prioritized project focused on the establishment of innovation centers that will serve as an interface to transform OIZs into innovative OIZs.
UNDP works to bring international experience, perspective and practices to these projects and supports innovative solutions. Technological Development in OIZs Project supports the transformation of OIZs in line with the SDGs in a way that they assume important roles parallel to global trends. In the light of this, the aim is to replicate innovation centers in various OIZs and to transmit the gained experience and know-how as best practices. The Ministry of Industry and Technology continues its collaboration with UNDP with the support of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget that recognizes the role of OIZs as fundamental actors in industrial policy and aims to consolidate them as a great asset to the innovation-based Turkish economy. Within the scope of this collaboration in the project aiming to be a milestone in the transformation processes, the Book “The Transformation of OIZs in Turkey – The Design and Implementation of the Manisa OIZ Innovation Center” has been published. The Manisa OIZ Innovation Center Pilot Project, which has been designed as an 18-month project under the Transformation of OIZs in Turkey Project, has officially begun its activities in 2021.
