Organised for the first time in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), TEKNOFEST TRNC 2025 brought together thousands of young people passionate about technology and science for four days. TÜBİTAK attracted great interest especially from children and young people with its main stand, thematic tents, workshops and exhibitions at the festival.
Scientific Workshops and Innovative Experiences
TÜBİTAK brought science and technology together with visitors of all ages with the participation of BİLGEM, MAM, RUTE, SAGE, UME and UZAY institutes under the coordination of the Science and Society Directorate. Participants were offered an interactive experience with fun design workshops such as periscope, phenakistoscope, balance bird, kaleidoscope as well as applied activities such as virtual reality.
Social Innovation Competitions and International Participation
Organised as part of the festival, the TÜBİTAK Social Innovation Competition Tent hosted 86 finalist teams from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, TRNC, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Participants presented their projects aiming to provide social benefits to the jury members and visitors.
‘Beyond the Horizon’ Space Exhibition attracted great interest
The ‘Beyond the Horizon’ Space Exhibition, organised by TÜBİTAK Science and Society Directorate, introduced Türkiye's manned space missions and domestic space projects. An interactive experience was offered to the participants with astronaut modules, experimental setups and mission simulations. The content on Türkiye's first astronaut Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever, who performed a suborbital flight, was among the most popular sections of the exhibition.
In addition, Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever came together with science lovers at the signing ceremonies.
Emphasised Message to Youth from President Erdoğan
Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who came to the area on the third day of the festival, said, ‘We will continue to be here for many centuries with TEKNOFEST youth, our works rising all over Northern Cyprus, and our strategic projects.’ Mr. Erdoğan said, ‘I would like to thank each and every one of our young people who filled this area to the brim, who blew a magnificent technology wind in Cyprus with their love. I am proud of you’.
Reminding that the 11th TEKNOFEST was organised in TRNC this year, President Erdoğan stated that 15 thousand 750 teams and 47 thousand 865 competitors from 22 countries applied and 268 teams and 1083 competitors from 6 countries were finalists. He congratulated the young people who ranked in the competitions.
Mr. Erdoğan stated that there was a great effort behind each work exhibited from drone championship to flying car simulation competition, from social innovation to tourism technologies, from robotics to software and said, ‘This is not just a festival; it is a strong step taken by a nation, two states, one heart to the common future’.
Awards found their owners
President Erdoğan also gave the first prizes to the winners of the competitions organised within the scope of TEKNOFEST TRNC.
The second prizes were also awarded on the last day of the festival. The awards of the winners of the Social Innovation Competition were presented by TRNC President Mr Ersin Tatar, Vice President Mr Cevdet Yılmaz, Minister of Industry and Technology Mr Mehmet Fatih Kacır, TEKNOFEST Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr Selçuk Bayraktar, President of Defence Industry Mr Haluk Görgün and President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın.
Vice President of the Republic Mr Cevdet Yılmaz and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of KADEM Ms Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar also visited the Social Innovation competition stands.
High Level Visit to TÜBİTAK
During the festival, TÜBİTAK's stand was visited by high-level protocol members such as TRNC President Mr Ersin Tatar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mr Mehmet Fatih Kacır and TEKNOFEST Chairman Mr Selçuk Bayraktar.
Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, President of TÜBİTAK, made one-to-one contact with young people in TÜBİTAK main tent and thematic tents, and also visited university stands.
TEKNOFEST TRNC was held at the old Ercan Airport under the auspices of the Presidency of the TRNC and under the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Technology Team Foundation of Türkiye (T3 Foundation), with the participation of 132 institutions, including public institutions, technology companies, universities and media organisations.
