The inauguration ceremony for the Makina Hangar — Science, Engineering and Technology Center, a collaborative project between Kartal Municipality and the Istanbul Branch of the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers (MMO), took place on February 10, 2024, marked by a splendid ceremony with high participation.
Speaking at the opening of the center that will invest in the scientists of the future, Gökhan Yüksel, mayor of Kartal Municipality, said, “By 2030, the future of a society that has not internalized software and coding will be distanced from the qualified workforce and will have difficulty in finding a job other than physical labor.” Jidoka, the robot dog, added excitement to the opening of the Center, which is designed to unite various age groups from primary school to doctoral students in the exploration of science and technology, and is envisioned as a collaborative workspace where technology companies can develop their projects.
Reminding attendees of the success of startup projects that originated in garages and became global examples, Mayor Yüksel highlighted the significance of the newly established center as an “Incubation Center,” and he remarked, “What we often hear in movies — ‘They started working in a garage, and now they have a million-dollar company’ — has become a reality here. This is a space where young people can cultivate their new inventions. They are provided with a nurturing environment facilitated by experienced trainers. We have very successful high school students who participate in competitions in the U.S. and China. This center serves as their new R&D space, too.”
In his speech at the opening ceremony, İbrahim Tataroğlu, president of the Istanbul branch of the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers, said that the project is a legacy built today for the future. Emphasizing that they examined examples from around the world during the establishment phase of the Makina Hangar — Science, Engineering and Technology Center, and that they made efforts to bring the feasible practices from those examples here. Tataroğlu said, “We were also able to realize capabilities that were not available in those centers. We have demonstrated what Turkish engineers and architects can do.” Tataroğlu added that their aim is to reverse the migration of engineers moving abroad and to prevent Türkiye’s educated people from feeling worried about their future.
The Youth Will Meet Science
The Makina Hangar — Engineering and Technology Center, supported by TMMOB member companies, engineers, architects and academics, is designed as a technology, R&D and living center that includes social facilities and areas. The space will incorporate co-working areas tailored to the requirements of members and the sector. Additionally, young individuals visiting Hangar will have direct access to practical training modules. Hangar aspires to establish itself as a key player in industry-wide digital transformation. Its objectives include uniting the engineering ecosystem under a single roof, fortifying the engineer network, enhancing professional productivity, spearheading technological advancements, conducting scientific studies, nurturing skilled manpower and providing support for the ideas of engineer entrepreneurs and young talents.
Technology companies contributing to Makina Hangar —Science, Engineering and Technology Center will provide technological tool support on a turn-by-turn basis, enabling them to witness the operation of advanced engineering equipment such as production lines and robot technologies. In this manner, applied training will complement the theoretical and practical knowledge of engineers and technical staff. The laboratories will support the strengthening of professional knowledge with state-of-the-art equipment by demonstrating how experiments are carried out, while the R&D and Design Workshop will provide members, students and companies with opportunities to develop new ideas and products.
Sectoral meetings will also be held at Hangar, and there will be a foyer area available for companies and individuals to use. It also features a conference hall designed for conducting technical training, interviews and meetings focused on sectoral and professional subjects, as well as facilitating artistic activities.
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