In order to contribute to students’ professional development and to provide them with the opportunity to observe industrial processes and digital transformation technologies on site, the Gaziantep University Tilmen Sustainability Student Community organized a large-scale technical visit hosted by the Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) on 29–30 April 2026.
The organization, carried out under the supervision of Faculty Members of the İslahiye Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Associate Professor Dr. Radiye Funda Karadeniz, the community advisor, and Dr. Uygar D. Yıldırım, aimed to introduce students closely to both the historical heritage of the capital city and its strong industrial ecosystem.
A Meeting of Cultural Heritage and Industrial Vision
The comprehensive two-day program began with a meaningful visit to Anıtkabir, the eternal resting place of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic. Following the visit, the student delegation proceeded to the ASO Headquarters, where they met with ASO President Mr. Seyit Ardıç.
Full Support for Young People from President Ardıç
During the meeting, Ardıç emphasized the importance of young people establishing stronger connections with production, technology, and industry for the future of our country and expressed his satisfaction in hosting such vision-enhancing visits.
Accompanied by the ASO organization team, the students visited the War of Independence Museum and Ankara Castle, completing the first day with a historical and cultural perspective.
Second Day: A Close Look at Production, Technology, and Digital Transformation
The second day of the visit was entirely dedicated to field visits so that students could directly experience modern industrial facilities and innovation centers. During visits to ASO Technopark, ASO Model Factory, and ASO METES facilities, students had the opportunity to exchange knowledge with industry professionals.
ASO Technopark and the Innovation Ecosystem
At the first stop of the day, the delegation was welcomed by ASO Technopark Coordinator Özge Sevim and her team. Sevim explained how a scientific and industrial environment is provided under one roof for entrepreneurs so that new ideas and products can flourish and also shared detailed information about career opportunities for new graduates. Following the briefing, the MAD Perfumery production facility and the company Fotontek, both operating within the Technopark, were visited, and their production processes were examined.
The Importance of Professional Certification with ASO METES
At the second stop of the day, the students visited the ASO Vocational Testing and Certification Center (METES), an authorized certification institution operating according to national and international standards. Business Manager Erdinç Karakılıç introduced the institutional activities. Answering students’ questions regarding internship and career goals, Karakılıç also presented gifts to our community members in memory of the visit.
Lean Production and Efficiency at the ASO Model Factory
One of the final and most remarkable stops of the program was the ASO Model Factory, Türkiye’s first competency and digital transformation center. The delegation was welcomed by General Manager Anıl Yılmaz and Director Ufuk Kaya, who provided visionary insights on continuous improvement, lean production, and digital transformation. Director Kaya explained how businesses can increase their competitiveness by using their resources in the most efficient way and also mentioned new-generation career opportunities in this field.
Thanks After a Productive Visit
Throughout the two-day program, the Tilmen Sustainability Student Community both explored the capital through cultural routes and directly observed operational processes in industrial facilities, leaving the program with highly valuable gains. The students and academics successfully concluded the technical visit by expressing their gratitude, especially to ASO President Seyit Ardıç and all institutional representatives who contributed to the realization of the organization, for the comprehensive experience and their hospitality.
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