SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
ARPROGED
Okan University Research Project Development Directorate (ARPROGED) offers the academic studies and new technologies developed at Okan University to the industry to meet the needs of various institutions and contribute to the national development of our country. Established to serve as the university-industry interface of Okan University, ARPROGED aims to connect "knowledge" with the industry and commercialize the resulting added value.
ARPROGED was established in 2011 to facilitate access to scientific and technological knowledge, produce technology-based information, lead the commercialization of the produced knowledge, and support technology transfer and entrepreneurship. It was evaluated within the scope of TÜBİTAK 1601 "Support Program for Increasing Capacity in Innovation and Entrepreneurship" in 2015-2016 as a TTO Support initiative and qualified for a second time for TTO Support in 2018-2019.
ARPROGED, defined as the "Technology Transfer Office" of Okan University, envisions increasing the capacity for producing scientific and technological knowledge on an international scale and commercializing the generated knowledge to benefit society.
Its mission is to enhance the capacity for scientific and technological knowledge production through university-industry cooperation and to present the resulting new technologies to the industry. Furthermore, it aims to secure resources for research through national and international funding, protect the generated knowledge, and create platforms suitable for entrepreneurs by transforming knowledge into value.
Research
Istanbul Okan University, with its vision of being an innovative and pioneering "world university" that can respond to the needs of society and business life at universal standards, is on its way to becoming a 4th generation university. The university aims to strengthen the culture of science, research, creativity, and innovation, not only by producing knowledge but also by transferring it and transforming it into commercial value. One of the main missions of the university is to lead in solving problems of societal concern through modern research conducted within the university. Committed to conducting research that benefits society and enhances quality of life, Istanbul Okan University encourages the discovery and production of new knowledge.
The university comprises 8 faculties, including the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Dentistry, which started its academic program in the 2014-2015 academic year. Additionally, it has 2 higher schools: the School of Health Sciences and the School of Applied Sciences; 2 vocational schools: the Vocational School and the Vocational School of Health Services; as well as a Conservatory and units affiliated to the Rectorate.
With 89 academic departments, 11 research and application centers, and numerous laboratories conducting unique research, the university aims to promote high-quality publications and new research projects, support multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, and build capacity in research areas that can create international impact.
ARPROGED's Main Strategies:
Istanbul Okan University’s Technology Transfer Office (ARPROGED) operates directly under the Rectorate and provides support to researchers within its organizational structure. ARPROGED plays an active role in transferring innovative technologies produced by Istanbul Okan University academics to the industry and manages all university-industry collaboration activities on behalf of the university.
Intellectual Property
Through the "Invention Disclosure Form" available on the Okan University website and the ARPROGED portal, academicians, students, and other inventors can directly submit their inventions to ARPROGED. The invention disclosures submitted to ARPROGED are reviewed by the Intellectual Property Rights Committee, which is established under ARPROGED's coordination in accordance with the current directive. The committee, which includes members and relevant invited academicians, evaluates the innovation level of the invention, the investment needed for its development, its commercialization potential, and its possible added value. Patent research is conducted for the invention disclosures finalized by the TTO (Technology Transfer Office) in collaboration with contracted patent attorneys. Additionally, the continuation of existing patent applications through the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) process is assessed in conjunction with a contracted patent attorney.
As ARPROGED, we organize trainings for academicians and stakeholders to promote the culture of intellectual property, particularly focusing on patents, trademarks, copyrights, utility models, and designs. Various seminars and conferences are organized on intellectual property rights in collaboration with specialized patent offices, TTOs that are part of the USIMP (University-Industry Cooperation Centers Platform of Turkey) platform, and LES-Turkey (the Turkish branch of the international Licensing Executive Society). These seminars and conferences are open to participants both from within and outside the university.
IN-TECH CUB KULUÇKA
Istanbul Okan University Innovative Technology Incubation Center (Intech-Cub) has been operating under Istanbul Okan University's Research and Project Development Directorate (ARPROGED) since 2014. It serves entrepreneurs at all stages, from Istanbul Okan University’s academicians and students with technology-focused business ideas to startups seeking to scale up.
Intech-Cub provides education, mentorship, and infrastructure opportunities to transform these ideas into commercially viable products.
Facilities provided by the Intech-Cub Incubation Center:
