TEKNOFEST, Türkiye’s largest science and technology festival, brought together approximately 1.5 million science and technology enthusiasts in Şanlıurfa this year. TÜBİTAK participated in TEKNOFEST 2026, held at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport from September 30 to October 4, with a 2,875-square-meter exhibition area and four thematic tents. Throughout the festival, TÜBİTAK directly welcomed 40,000 visitors through workshops, competition exhibitions, augmented reality experiences, and various activities. TÜBİTAK’s interactive exhibitions, science shows, and stage events were followed by more than 100,000 people.
TEKNOFEST Southeast commenced with an opening ceremony attended by Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır. At the awards ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the winners of the TEKNOFEST competitions received their awards from President Erdoğan. On the final day of the festival, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz presented awards to the teams that placed second and third in the TEKNOFEST competitions.
The Şanlıurfa Science Center, established through a collaboration between TÜBİTAK and Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, was inaugurated in the presence of President Erdoğan as part of TEKNOFEST Southeast.
Erdoğan: “We Organized TEKNOFEST in Şanlıurfa to Bring the Legacy of the Past Together with the Technologies of the Future”
In his address, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke about the decision to hold TEKNOFEST 2026 in Şanlıurfa, stating, “This city has thousands of years of accumulated knowledge in science, culture, and civilization. Göbeklitepe, known as the zero point of history, lies within the boundaries of this city. For thousands of years, distinguished scholars in medicine, mathematics, astronomy, geometry, physics, and philosophy have produced some of their most important works here. From Al-Battani to Sinan ibn Thabit, and from Ibn Wasif of Harran to Yunus al-Harrani, dozens and hundreds of scientists have contributed invaluable works to humanity through their studies here. This is precisely why we organized TEKNOFEST in Şanlıurfa—to bring the accumulated knowledge of the past together with the young people of today and the technologies of the future.”
Emphasizing the role of TEKNOFEST in enabling young people to participate in the development and production of technology, President Erdoğan expressed his hope that “all these technologies that you have seen, admired, marveled at, and taken pride in here will one day be produced by you.”
Yılmaz: “Many Scientists and Entrepreneurs Will Emerge from Among These Young People”
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, who presented awards to the teams that placed second and third in the TEKNOFEST competitions, said, “The experiences you have during childhood leave a lasting mark on you throughout your life. Among the young children who are exploring this area today, many scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators will emerge. We support our young people with every possible incentive and opportunity, and we will continue to do so.”
Kacır: “You Are the Pioneers Determined to Turn the Impossible into Reality”
Addressing young people at the opening ceremony of TEKNOFEST Şanlıurfa, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır said, “You are the TEKNOFEST generation, building the future with inspiration drawn from the legacy of our civilization and the footsteps of the past. You are the individuals who carry the honor, determination, and passion for independence of the Turkish nation in your hearts. In defiance of those who tell you that you cannot do it or that you will not succeed, you are the pioneers determined to turn what is deemed impossible into reality.”
Bayraktar: “We Are Not Only Developing Technology; We Are Bringing Technology Together with Morality, Conscience, and Justice”
Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors, stated that more than 1.5 million people visited TEKNOFEST Southeast and that the event set a record as the largest TEKNOFEST ever held in Anatolia. Bayraktar also stated, “We are not merely developing technology; we are bringing technology together with morality, conscience, and justice.”
TÜBİTAK Participates in TEKNOFEST with Pioneering Work by Its Research Centers and Institutes
TÜBİTAK participated in TEKNOFEST 2026 with the TÜBİTAK Directorate of Science and Society, TÜBİTAK Informatics and Information Security Research Center (BİLGEM), TÜBİTAK Polar Research Institute (KARE), TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM), TÜBİTAK Rail Transport Technologies Institute (RUTE), TÜBİTAK Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE), TÜBİTAK National Metrology Institute (UME), TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute (UZAY), TÜBİTAK Research Support Programs Directorate (ARDEB), TÜBİTAK Directorate of Scientist Support Programs (BİDEB), TÜBİTAK Technology and Innovation Support Programs Directorate (TEYDEB), TÜBİTAK Science High School, and TÜBİTAK Human Resources, attracting visitors with a wide range of interests.
The main event tent featured critical products reflecting Türkiye’s vision for the defense industry and space. Visitors had the opportunity to closely examine the GÖKDOĞAN, BOZDOĞAN, GÖKHAN, GÖKSUR, SOM-M, GÖZDE, GÖKÇE, KUZGUN-KY, KUZGUN-SS, KUZGUN-TJ, BOZOK, KAYI-50, and KAYI-30 munitions developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE and gain insights into defense systems.
Models of the İMECE and TÜRKSAT 6A satellites, domestically developed by TÜBİTAK UZAY, as well as the Lunar Spacecraft, were also exhibited at the festival. The Özgün Engine developed by TÜBİTAK RUTE and a model of the Eskişehir 5000 (E5000) electric locomotive were also among the products showcased at the event.
Strong Interest in TÜBİTAK Exhibition Stands
TÜBİTAK welcomed protocol members and senior officials at its exhibition stands, where they were briefed on the domestically developed and nationally owned technologies showcased at the event. A large number of senior officials and distinguished guests, including Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Deputy Ministers of Industry and Technology Zekeriya Coştu and Muhammet Kasım Gönüllü, and Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors Selçuk Bayraktar, visited TÜBİTAK’s exhibition and activity areas.
Discovery, Learning, Experience, and Fun All in One Place
Visitors to the TÜBİTAK tents had the opportunity to explore science and technology through hands-on and interactive experiences designed to appeal to participants of all ages. In this context, activities including the S-FORCE Simulation, Time Keeper Virtual Reality Game, Antarctica Experience through Virtual Reality, Space Traveler Game, Time Travel with Pardus, and Electronic Warfare Command Center offered participants immersive and interactive simulation experiences.
Throughout the festival, numerous design and basic science workshops continued without interruption, including Designing My Rocket, Canvas Painting, Wooden Satellite Model, E5000 Locomotive Model, Energy Adventure, Lithium-Ion Battery Model, Molecular Modeling, DNA Model, Solar-Powered Space Station, CO₂ Car, Wind-Powered Energy-Generating House, Da Vinci Bridge, Microworld Discovery, Robot Discovery, Sundial, Astrolabe, Periscope, and Kaleidoscope workshops. Penguin and polar bear mascots, present at the venue to raise awareness of polar research, also met with children.
At the TÜBİTAK Human Resources stand, participants took part in one-on-one interview simulations conducted in real time, matching the duration of an actual job interview. Through the Career IA activity, visitors also had the opportunity to envision themselves in the professions they aspire to pursue in the future.
Strong Interest in Interactive Exhibitions and Science Shows
The Science Centers tent established under the TÜBİTAK Directorate of Science and Society, the Beyond the Horizon exhibition, the Blockchain Competition tent, and the store featuring TÜBİTAK Popular Science Publications and TÜBİTAK products attracted significant interest from visitors. The Science Centers tent, featuring a variety of thematic areas such as Reflections from Anatolian Nature, Soap Bubble Exhibition, Basic Sciences, Time Exhibition, Dinosaurs, One-Color Room, and Ames Room, brought together visitors interested in science and exploration. The Beyond the Horizon exhibition also offered space enthusiasts an opportunity to discover new frontiers. Autograph sessions with Türkiye’s first astronauts, Alper Gezeravcı and Tuva Cihangir Atasever, held at the TÜBİTAK Science Centers tent, were another popular event that brought together space enthusiasts.
More than 100,000 science and technology enthusiasts visited the thematic areas of the Science Centers tent over the five-day festival. A range of science shows was also held on the stage inside the tent. The National Technology Workshops stand was designed to allow visitors to experience an authentic workshop environment. Visitors participated in various hands-on training activities that enabled them to interact directly with technology. As part of these activities, participants experienced piloting through the FPV Drone Simulation and had the opportunity to shape wood using a vertical drill press.
At the TÜBİTAK Popular Science Publications and TÜBİTAK Store areas, book lovers and technology enthusiasts had the opportunity to explore and purchase a wide range of products. The TÜBİTAK Store offered original products across various categories, including clothing, accessories, stationery, mugs, and scale models, all reflecting the store’s science and technology theme. More than 4,000 TÜBİTAK Popular Science Publications were also made available to readers.
In addition, visitors had the opportunity to test their knowledge of science and technology through the Bilim Genç Knowledge Quiz held throughout TEKNOFEST. Participants could take part in the quiz using tablets provided at the venue or by scanning a QR code with their own mobile phones.
At the TÜBİTAK Science High School stand, which graduated its first cohort this year, awards won by students in TEKNOFEST competitions were exhibited, while visitors were provided with information about the school’s academic and project-based activities. The Microworld Discovery Activity also allowed participants to conduct observations using microscopes.
Certified Artificial Intelligence Training from TÜBİTAK
At TEKNOFEST 2026, TÜBİTAK also hosted a comprehensive training program aimed at enhancing young people’s competencies in generative artificial intelligence. Over the course of five days, six sessions per day of the artificial intelligence training program titled “LLM 101: Understanding Large Language Models” were delivered. A total of 284 participants attended the training, provided by TÜBİTAK BİLGEM, gaining the opportunity to learn the fundamental operating principles of large language models. Participants who successfully completed the program were also awarded certificates of participation recognizing their achievement.
TEKNOFEST Competition Winners Receive Their Awards
As part of TEKNOFEST Southeast, the winners of 16 competitions organized by TÜBİTAK across a wide range of fields—from artificial intelligence and chip design to polar research and unmanned aerial vehicles—received their awards during the festival. The competitions featured challenging stages that had been underway for months. The winning teams received their awards from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while the teams placing second and third were presented with their awards by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz during the closing ceremony.
The final stage of the Blockchain Competition, organized under the technical leadership of TÜBİTAK BİLGEM and coordinated by the Directorate of Science and Society, was also held at the TEKNOFEST Southeast festival grounds. The competition broke a record this year with 17,395 applications, with 30 teams advancing to the final. The finalists presented their projects to the jury during the festival, and following the evaluations, the teams achieving the highest rankings received their awards.
