TEI-TUSAŞ General Manager Prof. Dr. Mahmut Akşit spoke at MAKÜ: “We must be the ones who produce technology, not the ones who buy it!”

As part of the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Commemoration Week events held between December 20-27, the International Mehmet Akif Ersoy Professional Achievement Award was given to TEI – TUSAŞ Motor Sanayii A.Ş. General Manager and Mechanical Engineer Prof. Dr. Mahmut Faruk Akşit. Following the award presentation, Prof. Dr. Akşit delivered a conference addressing university students and academics.

In his conference, Prof. Dr. Akşit, looking at the history of wars from a technology perspective, emphasized that since World War I, air power has become one of the most critical elements determining the course of wars. Akşit stated that technological capacity directly affects superiority on the field and discussed developments in defense and aviation with historical examples.

Akşit noted that 15 national and 1 domestic engine have been developed within TEI over the last 12 years, stating that these efforts have created significant expertise for Turkey in the field of aviation engines. Akşit conveyed that altitude and range records have been broken thanks to the developed engines, highlighting that dependency on foreign technology will incur serious costs in the long term. Emphasizing that domestic and national production is a strategic necessity, Akşit pointed out the importance of being a country that not only uses technology but also designs and develops it.

The program was attended by a large number of students and academics, mainly from the Faculty of Engineering and Technical Sciences. The award was presented to Prof. Dr. Akşit by University Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar. In his speech, Rector Dalgar expressed that they find it extremely valuable for students to listen to developments in the defense and aviation industry from those who directly produce and lead in this field, thanking Prof. Dr. Akşit for his contributions.