Hacettepe University hosted the "Kamp'Üss: Youth Technology Hub" programme, where technology meets young people. Organised in collaboration with our university's student communities and Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ), the programme, which will last a total of two days, was launched on 6 March 2026 at the Beytepe Campus. The programme, which brings together future engineering candidates with the experiences of leading institutions in the sector, was attended by: TUSAŞ General Manager Dr. Mehmet Demiroğlu, Ankara MP Zehranur Aydemir, our university Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Şahap Armağan Tarım, Hacettepe University and TUSAŞ executives, Hacettepe academics, our university student communities, and many students participated in the programme.
Prof. Dr. Güran: "The defence industry has become one of the important indicators of national independence."
The opening speech of the programme was delivered by our university's Rector, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran. Emphasising that both the technology sector and universities are undergoing a transformation, Prof. Dr. Güran drew attention to the importance of fourth-generation universities in his speech, stating that ‘fourth-generation universities are universities that transform life, transform science, and transform the future.’ Referring to the importance of the defence industry and its long history in our country, Prof. Dr. Güran said, ‘Defence and aviation technologies have become not only a measure of military power today, but also an important indicator of scientific progress, engineering capacity and national independence.’ Noting that TUSAŞ is one of Turkey's most important sources of pride, Rector Güran said:
"We can call Ankara the defence industry capital of Turkey. Moreover, our city has a significant advantage not only in the defence industry but also in information technology, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation. As Hacettepe University, we are one of the most important parts of this ecosystem in Ankara. We have contributed to this success with the work we have carried out so far, and we aim to strengthen and increase our efforts in the future."
MP Aydemir: "Kamp'Üss is a platform that enables young people to connect with the advanced technology ecosystem at an early stage."
The programme continued with a speech by Zehranur Aydemir, Turkey's youngest Member of Parliament. Also a software and industrial engineer, MP Aydemir shared her journey from university student to the defence industry, explaining the process that led to the Kamp’Üss programme and sharing her experiences with the participants. MP Aydemir described the emergence of the Kamp'Üss programme with the following words:
"I made a promise to myself: wherever I am, whatever I do, I will be the voice of young people who produce, dream and build the future. Kamp’Üss actually emerged as a product of this very idea. Kamp’Üss is a platform that enables young people to connect with the defence industry and advanced technology ecosystem at an early stage. The aim is not merely to provide information, but to involve the engineers, researchers, and technology leaders of the future in this ecosystem today."
Dr. Demiroğlu: "Failure is giving up on dreaming"
Following MP Aydemir's speech, the programme continued with a presentation by Dr Mehmet Demiroğlu, General Manager of TUSAŞ. Delivering an interactive presentation titled “The journey to independence of Turkish aviation and defence industry,” Dr. Demiroğlu emphasised the importance of dreaming, stating, “Success is reaching the goal. Not reaching it is not failure. Failure is giving up on dreaming.”
Drawing attention to TUSAŞ's international importance, General Manager Demiroğlu said:
"Our success is not only my pride or TUSAŞ's pride. It is also the pride of you, this country, and our friends and allies. I say this as someone who has experienced it first-hand. In terms of official delegations, among visits to Ankara from abroad, the most frequently visited places are Anıtkabir first and TUSAŞ second. Everyone who comes cannot hide their admiration."
The second day of the programme will continue on Monday, 9 March 2026, with student visits to TUSAŞ.
