Istanbul Apparel Exporters' Association (IHKIB)  Chairman Mustafa Gültepe and Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association (ITHIB) Chairman Ahmet Öksüz came together with  Marmara University Rector Prof.  Dr. Erol Özvar. The board members of the unions participated in the meeting and exchanged ideas for the development of university-industry cooperation.

During the meeting,  in order to strengthen cooperation, it was decided to move ITA R & D Center to Technopark area of ​​Marmara University. It was decided that the center will be managed by a committee including Marmara University,  IHKIB and ITHIB.  It was emphasized that the management of ITA R & D Center with the university-industry cooperation will improve the innovative aspect of the sector and that the academic competence of Marmara University will engage with sector more easily. The center will continue to work with the aim to increase the competitiveness of Turkey, to produce customer-oriented products, to provide a chance for technological adaptation, and to provide high standards of service towards local and foreign investors.

Rector of Marmara University Prof.  Dr. Erol Özvar underlined the importance of the university-industry cooperation by saying in his speech “The cooperation between university and industry is of great importance for the development of both the university and industry. It also contributes to the development of the country. By combining the opportunities of universities with the opportunities of industry, we can provide more benefits to the scientific, technological and economic development of the country. Underlining that the countries that want to advance and develop in the current world, where change is taking place very fast, put the education in the first place, IHKİB Chairman Mustafa Gültepe stated that education is one of the most important issues in the development struggle. Mustafa Gültepe said in his statement; “Industry needs to produce its own technology for strong competition, high export, and efficiency. This is possible only through successful university-industry cooperation.  

Ahmet Şiman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ITHIB, emphasized the importance of cooperation with Marmara University for the textile sector. He said that the necessary steps will be taken as soon as possible for the continuation of this cooperation. Ahmet Şişman also said,”We will take the existing power of the Turkish textile sector further with innovative studies in the field of technical textiles in the R & D Center.”