ANKARA, June 2, 2025 — The Middle East Technical University Digital Transformation and Innovation Centre (METU-DTX) was officially opened with a grand ceremony. Held at the Kemal KURDAŞ Hall of METU Culture and Convention Centre, the event welcomed a large audience and featured distinguished speakers from the public sector, industry, and academia. During the opening ceremony, METU-DTX was introduced as a contemporary centre that places interdisciplinary collaboration at its core and aims to lead Türkiye’s digital transformation processes. As a solution-oriented hub in the field of digital transformation and innovation, METU-DTX aspires to play a strategic role in shaping the future.
Protocol Speeches and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
During the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Rector of METU Prof. Dr. Ahmet YOZGATLIGİL, Virve VIMPARI, Director for Green Development at the EU Delegation to Turkey, Bülent ÖZCAN, Director General for Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, and Mehmet Fatih KACIR, Minister of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye.
The protocol speeches at the ceremony emphasized the strategic importance of Türkiye’s digital transformation vision. The speeches also underlined that cooperation between universities, public institutions and international stakeholders plays a vital role in innovation and sustainable development.
The official opening of METU-DTX was marked by a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony on stage by the protocol members. The ceremony was concluded with a commemorative group photo on stage and the presentation of a special gift to Minister KACIR by Rector Prof. Dr. YOZGATLIGİL.
The demo applications showcased at the centre attracted great interest.
Following the opening ceremony, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih KACIR and members of the protocol toured the newly opened METU-DTX. Visitors were given comprehensive information about the centre’s infrastructure, projects, and strategic goals. During the tour, the visitors had the opportunity to see the demo applications developed at the centre as examples of the contributions of METU-DTX to Türkiye’s digital breakthrough.
These applications, where new generation technologies were put into practice, attracted great interest from the participants, and stood out as a concrete indicator of the potential of the centre.
Panel: “Shaping the Future Through Innovation”
In the second part of the opening ceremony, a panel titled “Shaping the Future Through Innovation” was held, moderated by Prof. Dr. Hüsnü DAL, Director of METU-DTX, and Prof. Dr. Arzu Gönenç SORGUÇ, Director of METU Crea. The panel featured prominent figures from various sectors, including Zühtü BAKIR, Secretary General of MAKFED (Turkish Machinery Federation); Yakup BİRİNCİ, Chairman of the Board of TAYSAD (Automotive Suppliers Association of Turkey); Berat KUZU, Vice President of the TOBB Creative Industries Council; and Emek KEPENEK, Coordinator and Secretary General of the Turkish Game Developers Association.
The panel provided an in-depth discussion on the role of innovation in unlocking Türkiye’s economic and creative potential. Speakers focused on key themes such as digital creativity, cross-sector collaboration, and the importance of future skills. They emphasized how Türkiye’s dynamic industrial structure is embracing artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Türkiye’s Innovation Ecosystem Is Taking Shape
The opening of the METU Digital Transformation and Innovation Centre (METU-DTX) marked a significant step toward Türkiye’s vision of becoming a global player in digital innovation.
In her speech on behalf of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Virve VIMPARI emphasized that METU-DTX could serve as a bridge between Europe and Türkiye in advancing the innovation agenda. Minister KACIR underlined that METU-DTX will play a critical role in enhancing national competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
From impactful speeches and technology showcases to insightful discussions, the entire program reflected a shared commitment among stakeholders to building a more innovative and sustainable future.
The ceremony concluded with a strong emphasis on the rapid development of Türkiye’s innovation ecosystem and the crucial role METU-DTX will play in accelerating this progress.