Boğaziçi University hosted an important event titled “Artificial Intelligence and Business Intelligence in Agriculture and Food Sectors” on November 1. The event brought together representatives from public and private sectors working in agriculture and food with academics, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and experience. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Ahmet Bağcı, and Deputy Ministers of Industry and Technology Zekeriya Coştu and Oruç Baba İnan.

Deputy Ministers Shared Projects Related to the Sector

The Deputy Ministers spoke at the event, providing information on current initiatives in agriculture and food within the public sector and upcoming projects. Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Oruç Baba İnan stated, “We have a great need for social capital in the food and agriculture sectors. For this, we must raise awareness and develop everyone involved in the sector.”

ASYÖNDER: Aiming to Bridge Academia and Industry

Doğan Asil, President of the Association of Academic and Sector Collaboration Managers (ASYÖNDER), emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, stating, “As ASYÖNDER, we aim to serve as a bridge between academia and industry. Those who pursue not only ‘know-how’ but also the ‘know-why’ process will be the actors of the future.” Asil noted that their first collaboration meeting was held in the agriculture and food sector and that they aim to establish similar partnerships with different sectors moving forward.

Bountarım: “We Hope to Untie the Gordian Knot in Agriculture”

One of the event speakers, Prof. Dr. Gökhan Özertan, a founding member of Bountarım and a faculty member in the Economics Department at Boğaziçi University, compared the agricultural sector to a “Gordian knot made up of many different threads.” He expressed hope that academia and the industry can work together to untangle it effectively.

Industry Representatives Seek More Frequent Gatherings

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Çoşkun, President of BÜYEM, affirmed that Boğaziçi University encourages partnerships among academia, public institutions, and the private sector. Industry representatives expressed a desire to meet more frequently with academic and public sector participants, voicing their enthusiasm for expanding collaborative opportunities.

The event concluded with a group photo of the participants.