Addressing the 100th Year TÜBA and TÜBİTAK Awards Ceremony, President Erdoğan said that a total of 4 billion Turkish liras’ worth of support has been provided to 47 thousand projects in Türkiye since 2007 in a bid to promote a culture of science among the society, and added: “With these critical steps in various areas, we have taken Türkiye to a very different point in scientific research compared to 21 years ago.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the 100th Year TÜBA and TÜBİTAK Awards Ceremony at the Beştepe Nation’s Convention and Culture Center.
Noting that it is their duty to reward those who break new paths for the country and contribute to humanity’s shared treasure of science, President Erdoğan stressed that achievements would further grow and flourish as they are valued and appreciated by the society.
Noting that it is their duty to reward those who break new paths for the country and contribute to humanity’s shared treasure of science, President Erdoğan stressed that achievements would further grow and flourish as they are valued and appreciated by the society.
“A PROCESS OF INTENSIVE CONSIDERATION, DELIBERATION AND PLANNING LIES BEHIND OUR ACHIEVEMENTS”
Pointing out that the TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival has led to a revival in the areas of science and technology, President Erdoğan stated that TEKNOFEST, more than a technology festival, instilled self-confidence in this country's youth and demonstrated that no one can stand in the way of their dreams.
Announcing that three students elected in the competitions held as part of this year’s TEKNOFEST have been included in the Antarctic Science Expedition, President Erdoğan stated: “We have supported and further consolidated our national research institution TÜBİTAK, which has been serving as a guide for science and technology for 60 years. We have provided support to a total of 31 thousand projects as part of the TÜBİTAK R&D Programme. We have allocated a fund of over 68 billion Turkish liras for these projects. We have given a total of 17.8 billion Turkish liras’ worth of support to 270 thousand scientists with the Science People Support Programme.”
Noting that a total of 4 billion Turkish liras’ worth of support has been provided to 47 thousand projects in Türkiye since 2007 in a bid to promote a culture of science among the society, President Erdoğan said: “With these critical steps in various areas, we have taken Türkiye to a very different point in scientific research compared to 21 years ago.”
“INSTITUTIONS THAT TALK BIG AND SPEND BIG BUDGETS ARE COMPLETELY HOLLOW WHEN IT COMES TO ISRAEL AND ITS ATROCITIES”
Stressing that the number of those who would like to make use of their experience and expertise in Türkiye would increase in parallel with Türkiye’s expanding global role, President Erdoğan said this process would further accelerate because of the disgraceful scenes witnessed at the prestigious universities of the West following the Gaza crisis. “Israel’s atrocities that have killed over 21 thousand innocent Palestinians, including children and women, in Gaza since October 7 serve as a litmus test. It has become crystal clear who defends human rights and dignity and who merely exploits them.”
“From the UN Security Council to press organizations, from the EU to journalist groups, all institutions that serve as apostles of democracy have failed in this crisis. We realized that the institutions that talk big and spend big budgets are completely hollow when it comes to Israel and its atrocities. Exactly 80 days have passed since the attacks first started. All the humanitarian values have been executed by shooting right before our eyes. We have watched at stadiums the Nazi camps, haven’t we? What kind of a business is this? They used to talk about Hitler strangely. How do you differ from Hitler? These will make us look for Hitler as well. Is there anything Netanyahu does that is less than Hitler? No. Hitler was not as rich as him. This is richer than Hitler. They receive support from the West. They receive every kind of support from America. With these supports, they have killed over 20 thousand Gazans. The voice on the side of the innocents arises from the Muslim Turks.”
“NEARLY 100 JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN MASSACRED IN GAZA”
Underlining that hospitals, schools, places of worship and universities which cannot be touched even during wartime are being bombarded, President Erdoğan noted that Gazan scientists are being martyred together with their families. “Nearly 100 journalists working to tell the world the barbarity in Gaza have been massacred. We have followed in deep sorrow the massacring of 2.5 million people squeezed into an area of just 360 square kilometers. We unfortunately couldn’t stop the killing of hundreds of Gazans every day despite all the efforts exerted in the diplomatic arena by countries with conscience such as Türkiye. As a Muslim and, more importantly, as a human being, we feel, deep inside our hearts, the embarrassment of our inability to stop this persecution despite all our aids, efforts and talks. Nevertheless, we see the solidarity our nation and hundreds of millions of people who have an intact conscience have displayed with the Gazan people as a note written down in history. With its state and people, Türkiye has been endeavoring to pass this test of humanity. Türkiye, in this direction, acts with utmost sincerity and goodwill.”
President Erdoğan went onto say: “We must speak openly about this issue. Not only international organizations but also the leading universities of the West have failed the Gaza test. They didn’t show even the slightest reaction while the universities in Gaza were being razed to the ground. They didn’t speak out against the targeting of internationally acclaimed Palestinian scientists and academics.”
In many internationally renowned educational institutions, a witch-hunt has been launched against anyone, students included, who criticizes Israel, underlined the President, adding: “Just like 80 years ago in Nazi Germany, scientists who dare to call the oppression in Gaza 'persecution' are exposed to pressure, blackmail and threats. I am saying it openly that Germany is still paying the price for Hitler. That is why Germany remains silent and embarrassed. Yet, we don’t owe anything to anyone; but, the West does. The West owes, and that is why they cannot speak out.”
“WE ARE LIVING THROUGH DAYS THAT WILL LATER BE REMEMBERED WITH SHAME”
Those who open the most central squares of their cities to the rags of the separatist terrorist organization PKK and its Syrian extensions under the guise of freedom of expression make the life unbearable for those working to become the voice of the Palestinian people, stressed President Erdoğan. “Can you imagine it? University rectors are interrogated and forced to answer to the Congress just because they defend the rights of children, women and civilians. Even the slightest criticism, even if uttered within the limits of law and democracy, is labeled as anti-Semitic and stifled, and is even considered a crime.”
President Erdoğan further stressed: “From Europe to America, in all the places known as the cradle of civilization, a textbook example of fascism, oppression and an empire of fear is being displayed. We are indeed living through days that will later be remembered with shame in the name of humanity, in the name of democracy, in the name of freedom of expression and thought. I hereby call on all the scientists who are subjected to oppression for defending human dignity; the doors of Turkish universities are wide open to you. We stand ready to provide you with the necessary support for you to continue your scientific studies. Our institutions, including the Ministry of Industry and Technology, TÜBİTAK and TÜBA, will not refrain from helping you. May Allah help all our Gazan brothers and sisters. I once again greet with respect all the brave scientists who raise their voices against oppression, cruelty and the murdering of children.”
