Rector Karataş Honors ÇAKÜ’s TEKNOFEST Achievements
Çankırı Karatekin University (ÇAKÜ) is celebrating an outstanding debut at TEKNOFEST 2026, with its teams securing first and second place nationally. Rector Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Karataş congratulated the academics and students involved in the university’s TEKNOFEST teams and presented certificates of achievement in recognition of their success.
TEKNOFEST, one of the leading platforms for Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative, brought together people passionate about technology, science and innovation this year in Şanlıurfa, a major centre in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Çankırı Karatekin University (ÇAKÜ) further demonstrated its growing strength in technology and innovation through its achievements at the festival.
Rector Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Karataş attended the opening ceremony of TEKNOFEST Southeast, held at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport. Among the university’s competing teams, Team NOVA won first place nationally, while Team High Voltage secured second place in the Smart Factory Systems Programming category. ÇAKÜ teams also achieved third place nationally and reached the semi-finals in other categories, highlighting the university’s growing potential in technology development.
These achievements reflect ÇAKÜ’s ongoing efforts to provide students with opportunities to apply their academic knowledge in practice through production, design, software development, engineering and technological innovation.
“This Success Shows What ÇAKÜ Is Capable of Achieving”
Following the teams’ achievements at TEKNOFEST, a recognition and awards ceremony was held for the university’s TEKNOFEST teams on 7 October 2026 at the ÇAKÜ Rectorate Conference Hall.
The ceremony was attended by Rector Karataş, along with academics, students and members of the university administration.
Addressing the participants, Rector Karataş congratulated the academics and students and said "In our very first year of institutional participation, we secured first, second, and third place nationally, while advancing multiple projects to the semi-finals. This is a remarkable milestone."
He stressed that success is not measured solely by awards; it is the natural result of meticulous planning, clear objectives, disciplined teamwork, and determination.
“ÇAKÜ Possesses the Expertise to Compete at the Highest Level”
Rector Karataş noted that although ÇAKÜ is a relatively young university, ÇAKÜ’s technical capabilities, rooted in nearly 50 years of vocational higher education experience and modern engineering infrastructure, enable its students to compete against top-tier technical institutions. He said:
“We will never say, ‘We are Çankırı Karatekin University; we are not ITU, METU, or YTU.’ Our university possesses the academic depth, human capital, and infrastructure required to compete at the highest level national platforms have to offer. The championships we celebrate today are the clearest evidence of that fact.”
“When We Set a Goal, Success Follows”
Karataş revealed that over 30 student teams were assembled within a single year for TEKNOFEST, with several teams missing final round placements by fractions of a point.
Emphasising the importance of disciplined and determined work, he said: “When we plan our work, set clear goals, remain patient and persevere, success follows.”
He later thanked all academics, students, team captains and university staff who contributed to the TEKNOFEST process, highlighting in particular the support provided to the teams by the university’s Technopark and Technology Transfer Office.
Expanding TEKNOFEST Participation for International Students
Highlighting that scientific inquiry and technological development transcend international borders, Rector Karataş outlined plans to integrate ÇAKÜ’s international student body more deeply into future competition cycles.
Reflecting on the international participants he had met at the festival in Şanlıurfa, Karataş emphasised that science and technology transcend borders. He added that the university hoped to see more international students with an interest in technology, particularly those studying engineering, natural sciences and vocational programmes, take part in TEKNOFEST teams in the coming years.
“We Will Build on This Success at TEKNOFEST Next Year”
Reframing this year's victories as a foundation rather than a finish line, Rector Karataş announced upcoming facility expansions aimed at elevating ÇAKÜ's research output:
“We have achieved something significant this year, but we will not stop here. We will regroup and build on this momentum. Next year, we will enter TEKNOFEST with even more teams, greater resources, and bolder projects.”
To support this expansion, the university will open its new Faculty of Engineering building, expand student access to specialized laboratories, and maximize the operational capacity of its TÜBİTAK-backed National Technology Workshop.
“We Are One Family”
Closing his address, Rector Karataş underscored the importance of institutional solidarity, framing the achievements as a collective triumph for the entire university community.
“We are one family. We will share both our sorrows and our joys. We will celebrate our successes together and overcome the challenges we face together. Our greatest strength, our greatest asset, is the sincerity of our relationships,” he said.
Following the keynote address, Rector Karataş presented certificates of appreciation and achievement to team captains, student members, and faculty mentors, concluding the ceremony with a commemorative photo session.
