President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal has been elected as the president of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO), which has more than 100 members from more than 50 countries. Prof. Mandal, who will serve as WAITRO President for two years, took over the post from HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan (RSS), who has been holding the presidency since 2019.
WAITRO Summit and The General Assembly Meeting were held in South Africa
WAITRO is a global membership-based association that aims to foster innovation, drive sustainable development by empowering member organizations and facilitate collaboration across borders and boundaries. To reach these objectives, WAITRO Summit took place from November 14–15 in Cape Town, South Africa.
More than 100 representatives from research and technology organizations, universities, multilateral organizations, SMEs, public institutions and NGOs participated in the Summit. The participants had the opportunity to become a member of the working groups related to Sustainable Development Goals, participate in panel sessions and workshops, meet with other researchers and entrepreneurs and develop bilateral cooperation.
In addition, the Executive Board elections were held during WAITRO General Assembly Meeting, on the 16th of November. As a result of the elections, President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal has been elected as the President of WAITRO and the Chairman of the Executive Board, who has achieved significant success in the international arena for our country.
“A new research institute on Clean Energy, Climate Change and Sustainability will be established”
President of TÜBITAK Prof. Hasan Mandal, attended the WAITRO General Assembly Meeting online, stated that, in its 59th year, TÜBİTAK upholds the strategic approach of co-creation and succeeding together to address complex and dynamic challenges, including the green transition and climate change. He added “Such a targeted focus is enriched with new initiatives and collaborations, including priorities that are aligned with our net-zero emissions target for 2053. Beyond our support to the R&D and innovation ecosystem, our centers and institutes involve over 5,000 research personnel, working to increase impact in strategic areas”. He also indicated “with a similar model that engages with the R&D and innovation ecosystem, a new research institute on Clean Energy, Climate Change and Sustainability will be established with inter-ministerial cooperation”.
Prof. Mandal expressed that “Sharing common aims and objectives, TÜBİTAK has been a member of WAITRO, starting from the very beginning in 1970. We have been supporting close cooperation with member organizations in scientific, technological, and social issues and provided multiple contributions. We have been taking part in various WAITRO programs and events regularly as well as workshops and meetings through the representatives of our Institution to support the aims and increase the impact we can achieve together.
About WAITRO
The World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) is a non-profit organization founded in 1970. It has the objective to facilitate exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience between its members, to increase the technical and administrative capacity of the members and to ensure the coordination of technological research and applications at the regional and international levels.
WAITRO also aims to enable activity-oriented collaborations aiming at sustainable development between member institutions and organizations.
In this way, WAITRO:
* Promotes international networking between its members for the benefit of improved innovation capabilities
* Facilitates the development and brings advancements in the level and capabilities of member industrial and technological research organizations
* Encourages and facilitates the transfer of research results and technical know-how between members
* Promotes the exchange of experience in research management to improve the overall efficiency
* Aims to ensure capacity building in the management of research and technology institutions,
* Supports technological research and capacity building in developing countries.
TÜBİTAK has been a member of WAITRO since 5 August 1970 with the Science Board Decision.
21.11.2022