Çimsa Technology and Impact Center Opens Its Doors in Eskişehir
Foreks - Sabancı Group continues to spread the Sabancı Youth Mobilization across different provinces of Turkey. As part of this mobilization, the Group launched its first Technology and Impact Center in Izmir at the end of last month, and the second center has now opened in Eskişehir, one of the cities in Turkey with the highest university student density. The Çimsa Technology and Impact Center, opened in cooperation with Eskişehir Technical University (ESTÜ) by Çimsa, a company of Sabancı Group, will operate in material technologies, which are considered one of the most significant growth areas of the global economy.
The opening ceremony of the Çimsa Technology and Impact Center was attended by many academics and students, as well as ESTÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan Özcan, Sabancı Holding CEO Cenk Alper, Sabancı Holding Material Technologies Group Chairman Burak Orhun, and Çimsa CEO Umut Zenar. The center will benefit undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, researchers, and entrepreneurs studying in departments such as Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Electrical Electronics Engineering at ESTÜ.
In a press conference regarding the matter, ESTÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan Özcan stated, “With its strong infrastructure, experienced academic staff, and social facilities, Eskişehir Technical University (ESTÜ), established in an aviation city like Eskişehir, which has a rich history of half a century, continues to provide employable, qualified graduates, enhance research potential, ensure continuity and sustainability, and contribute to our country's priorities and needs since its establishment. We do not only equip our students with technical knowledge and skills; we also train graduates who are critically thinking, culturally and socially knowledgeable, and highly competent. Transforming our qualified human resources into added value, knowledge, and products through effective use of our strong infrastructure is among our significant strategic goals. Apart from its successful education and training activities accredited by independent institutions, ESTÜ is frequently cited for its university-industry collaborations. The Çimsa Technology and Impact Center, established in collaboration with Sabancı Holding, one of our country's esteemed communities, and Çimsa, one of the Group's companies, is one of the most critical collaborations.”
“WE ARE BUILDING THE SABANCI YOUTH MOBILIZATION ON THE VALUES OF THE REPUBLIC” In his speech at the opening, Sabancı Holding CEO Cenk Alper emphasized their happiness in launching this center just before the 101st anniversary of the Republic, stating, “The Sabancı Technology and Impact Centers that we are expanding across Turkey under the Sabancı Youth Mobilization are, in fact, reflections of our Republic values today. Believing in youth, trusting them wholeheartedly, and being on the path of continuous progress form the foundation of the thinking behind these centers. The phrase ‘from brain drain to brain power’ signifies our faith in youth and our commitment to the Republic.”
THE FUTURE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF TURKEY WILL BE MEASURED BY ADVANCED MATERIAL SUCCESS Cenk Alper highlighted the critical importance of the new center for Turkey's future goals, stating, “The transformation happening globally is creating a new economy focused on sustainability. For this sustainability-oriented transformation to succeed, reconsidering both the materials we use and the production technologies of these materials is imperative. Therefore, the transition to advanced materials is one of the prioritized fields in our Community strategy for both our country and our Group. According to research, the market size for advanced materials worldwide is expected to reach approximately 100 billion dollars within five years. The share we gain from this market will essentially be an indication of our future competitiveness. In other words, the strategic importance of Turkey, which we unfortunately limit solely to ‘geographic location’ today, will now be measured by our success in advanced materials. The Çimsa Technology and Impact Center will open new horizons for our youth, academicians, and entrepreneurs in this field. This center, where theoretical and practical knowledge will converge, will train the new generation of material leaders in our country.”
“WE DON'T HAVE A SINGLE DAY TO WASTE FOR OUR YOUTH, COUNTRY, AND ECONOMY” Recalling that the first center was opened in September as part of the Sabancı Youth Mobilization announced in May, Cenk Alper stated, “Less than a month after the opening of this center, we have launched our second center. As we always say; in today's world, it is crucial to move from words to action. But that alone is not sufficient. We must do it as quickly as possible. In this new economic order, where speed is more important than ever, we do not have a single day to waste for our youth, our country, and our economy. That is why we, as Sabancı, have mobilized all our technological power for our centers. The center we have opened holds significant importance in this regard. Established with the 3D printing technology developed by Çimsa’s R&D center Formülhane in Mersin, this center is the first technology center in Turkey constructed using 3D technology in its field. The special white cement used for the outer walls of the center was also prepared with a specific formula developed in Mersin. Our facility in Mersin, which hosts all these technologies, is the only facility in the world that produces gray, white, and calcium aluminate cement. Therefore, this center fully deserves the title of ‘technology’ in its name. We believe it will become one of the symbols of the transformation from brain drain to brain power in the field of material technologies.”
“A SYMBOLIC PLATFORM TO BRING BRIGHT IDEAS OUT OF FOUR WALLS” Çimsa CEO Umut Zenar emphasized that they built Çimsa's future roadmap on a triple transformation strategy, stating, “Just like in our company strategy, we set ourselves a three-fold target in our center's strategy as well. Our ultimate goal, defined by the formula ‘From Theory to Practice, From Idea to Product, From Value to Impact,’ is to ensure the technologies developed here become products and make an impact on our daily lives. Bringing bright ideas out of four walls, crossing the boundaries of laboratories, and creating an impact power across the entire value chain. To achieve all this, we need to broaden the number and scope of industry-academia collaborations. Our center will actually be one of the iconic platforms for this vision in Turkey.”
“WE WILL EQUIP YOUTH NOT ONLY WITH KNOWLEDGE BUT ALSO WITH A ‘FUTURE LEADERSHIP SET’” Zenar emphasized the importance for young people to observe existing industry needs to develop innovative business models, stating, “In this context, through 6-week training programs targeted at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students in the construction materials sector, we will introduce them to industry dynamics more closely. By the end of five years, we aim to benefit approximately 500 students from the Çimsa Technology and Impact Center Program. In addition to industry-oriented training, preparing students for the world of the future is also extremely important to us. In this scope, while equipping them with new skills and capabilities, we will also provide personal development training such as communication skills and interview techniques. Thus, we will not only equip youth with knowledge but also with a ‘leadership set’ they will need in the future. Additionally, we will offer 4-month internship programs for students who complete our program, to develop projects addressing existing problems in the sector.”
The initiative will contribute to strengthening the employment of women in the industry. Students completing the Çimsa Technology and Impact Center Education Program will enhance their creative thinking, problem-solving, and innovative idea development skills through Ideathon events, laying the groundwork for industry-related entrepreneurship ideas. Startups focused on sustainability will be encouraged. Entrepreneurs in the region will have the opportunity to turn their bright ideas into disruptive innovations and integrate into the Turkish startup ecosystem. Robust tools such as role model meetings and mentoring programs will be designed to support students' career planning and social solidarity. Through factory technical tours and role model meetings, students will have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals. Activities within the center will be expanded to also include vocational high school and vocational college students. Events held in these institutions will be supported with gender equality training and projects aimed at increasing women's employment. The Çimsa Technology and Impact Center will thus serve as a bridge for empowering women's employment in the industry.
Concrete pouring and construction of building walls took 48 hours. The Çimsa Technology and Impact Center, covering an area of 140 square meters, is recorded as the first technology center in Turkey produced by 3D technology in its field. Thanks to this technology, concrete pouring and the construction of building walls took only 48 hours. The concrete mixture suitable for the mentioned 3D printer was developed through approximately six months of work based on Çimsa’s white cement product range. In the coming days, the center will meet its electricity needs with renewable energy thanks to solar panels that will be installed on its roof.