A study visit to the United Kingdom was organized as part of the Technical Assistance for Türkiye in Horizon Europe Project. Held between March 3-7, 2025, this visit strengthened interaction between the Turkish Research Area (TARAL) and the UK's research ecosystem, allowing TARAL representatives to engage with leading research and technology centers in the UK for knowledge exchange and collaboration opportunities. The visit was conducted in cooperation with TÜBİTAK and the UK Science & Technology Network of the British Embassy in Türkiye.
As part of the program, the TARAL delegation visited the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) of HVM Catapult in Coventry on the first day. The visit included one-on-one meetings in mobility, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and robotics, and thematic sessions that laid the groundwork for future collaborations in these fields.
On the second day, the delegation met at Cranfield University, where they held more than 80 one-on-one meetings with academics from various universities across the UK. Discussions covered topics such as additive manufacturing, augmented reality, batteries, sustainable waste management, and aviation technologies, paving the way for both academic and industrial collaborations. Representatives from University of Bath, Loughborough University, and University of Surrey also participated, providing valuable insights and contributing to potential joint projects.
The final day of the visit was hosted by Imperial College London, where TARAL representatives engaged in discussions with academics from University of Bristol, Brunel University of London, and University of Surrey. Key topics included aviation, battery technologies, energy storage, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, leading to concrete steps toward future R&D collaborations. The intensive three-day program with over two hundred one-on-one meetings brought Türkiye and the UK’s science and technology ecosystems closer together, establishing a solid foundation for joint projects under Horizon Europe.
This study visit provided a significant opportunity to enhance Türkiye’s participation in Horizon Europe, foster global collaborations in research and innovation, and strengthen long-term R&D partnerships between Türkiye and the UK. We anticipate that this productive visit with over 200 one-to-one meetings in total will deepen future collaborations, contribute to long-term scientific advancements, and open new horizons for joint research projects.