CONFERENCE ON TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGIES

National Innovation Initiative (UIG) and Turkish American Scientists and Scholars Association (TASSA), in collaboration, are organizing an international conference on December 22-23, 2008 in Sabanci Center, Istanbul. This event has two simultaneous objectives. While scientific panels provide for academic discussions and learning opportunities, researchers will also have a chance to share their projects with industrialists, investors and financing institutions. The focus of this event is nanotechnology, an area of science that is bound to define the future of our civilization. During this conference, we will consider and debate nanotechnology strategies in the context of basic research - applications - commercialization triangle.

This event will also contribute towards the development of knowledge necessary for nanotechnology to thrive in Turkey. Specifically, creating the ideal environment for the translation of innovative research results into new high-tech products is an indispensable goal of the program.

Below, you may find information about both National Innovation Initiative and TASSA:

National Innovation Initiative (UIG):

The main objective of UIG is to consolidate and promote cooperation among private sector, university and non-governmental organizations for developing and implementing innovation policies in Turkey; to contribute to the development of innovation policies in Turkey by promoting the communication between political authorities and public institutions and extending opinions; and eventually to increase public awareness about innovation
The Initiative composed a Strategy Document, which addresses the objectives briefly defined above. Strategy Document composed of 5 thematic groups which are "Turkey in 2023 and Innovation", "Financing of Innovation", "Human Resources and Skills for Innovation", "Environment and Infrastructure" and "Innovation in the Public Sector". The report, called “The Innovation Framework Report”, is not a document proposing new policies. The report seeks to point out the necessary measures that need to be taken in order for the existing policies and strategies to bear fruit. The report also points out the fact that the actions taken in this aspect between 2007 and 2013 will define Turkey’s future economic and social growth.

TASSA:

Turkish American Scientists and Scholars Association (TASSA) is an independent, non-profit and non-political organization established in June 2004 in Washington, DC.

Vision:

TASSA's vision is to build a sustainable science bridge between the U.S. and Turkey. This bridge would facilitate the flow of people (scientists and scholars), knowledge, and technology and help link science and technology institutions in the two countries.

Mission:

TASSA’s mission is to promote educational, scientific and technological cooperation between the USA and Turkey and to facilitate the advancement of science in Turkey and the USA through scientific exchange, educational programs and increased networking.

Statement of Purpose:

TASSA shall operate exclusively as a non-profit organization to achieve the following objectives:

Contribute to the social welfare and the industrial development in the USA and Turkey through the promotion of education and science.
Promote educational and scientific cooperation between the USA and Turkey.
Promote friendship and fellowship among Turkish-American professionals engaged in engineering, natural, life and social sciences, and related fields.
Enhance the professional and social status of Turkish-American professionals engaged in engineering, natural, life and social sciences, and related fields.
Promote and cultivate the next generation of Turkish-American scientists and scholars.