JISTUAM (Geothermal Advanced Greenhouse Technologies and Production Techniques Joint Application and Research Center) was established by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) under the coordination of our University within the scope of "Regulation on Joint Application and Research Centers in Higher Education Institutions". Established in partnership with Ankara University and Selçuk University under the coordination of our University, the center has officially entered into force with the decision published in the Official Gazette dated 22 August 2021 and numbered 31576. The center has a very important position within the framework of the vision of the Eleventh Development Plan (2019-2023), which is the first development plan of the Presidential Government System. While the Eleventh Development Plan presents the development vision of our country with a long-term perspective, it also meets the basic values and expectations of our nation. With this center, which was established within the scope of the Eleventh Development Plan, it is aimed to raise the international profile of our country and to increase the welfare of our people.
It is aimed to create a nationally referenced R&D Infrastructure
With the Geothermal Advanced Greenhouse Technologies and Production Techniques Joint Application and Research Center; it is aimed to establish a research and development infrastructure that aims for excellence, takes the interdisciplinary research approach as an example, and is referenced in the national arena. Thanks to the research on the optimization of many automation systems, especially in the field of greenhouse cultivation, developing new production technologies is one of the objectives.
Effective Use of Water Resources Will Be Yielded Through Soilless Agriculture
Under the KAEU Coordinatorship, it is desired to increase the applicability level of the outputs by conducting research and development in the fields of cultural practices in the greenhouse, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and in the fields of managing greenhouse diseases and pests. It is aimed to ensure effective use of water resources and water conversation by conducting research on the disinfection systems of solution in closed soilless agriculture system. Thus, it is expected that the input cost in greenhouses will decrease, and economic sustainability will be ensured.
Variety and Rootstock Breeding Practices will be Performed on the Products that Have Strategic Importance and are Suitable for Regional Greenhouse
With the Geothermal Advanced Greenhouse Technologies and Production Techniques Joint Application and Research Center, where it is aimed to maximize the yield to be obtained from the unit area with R&D studies in the field of artificial lighting systems; it is aimed to increase the product quality and quantity per unit area by breeding varieties and rootstocks in related species, especially tomato, pepper, cucumber, stone fruit species, cut flowers, ornamental plants and medicinal aromatic plants.
Recognition on International Platforms Will Be Increased by Collaborating with Institutions Abroad
Our university, which aims to increase its prestige and recognition in the field of geothermal advanced greenhouse technologies by strengthening cooperation networks with universities, institutions and organizations abroad, wants to contribute to the center's presence on the international platform in this way. The center, which also aims to provide technical and scientific opportunities to researchers in the field of geothermal advanced greenhouse technologies for undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral studies, will perform with the idea of providing certified trainings within the framework of the provisions of the relevant legislation by organizing training programs for those working in the sector in order to train the qualified manpower needed by the greenhouse sector.
Rector Karakaya: “We Aim to Contribute to National Goals from the Regional Mission”
Our University Rector Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya stated that they worked very hard to put Kırşehir Ahi Evran University over the top and said that they would duly perform this special task which was given by YÖK and published in the official gazzette yesterday. Rector Karakaya emphasized that thanks to this joint practice and research center, they will make a very important contribution to the national goals of our country, based on the regional mission. Karakaya noted that they set strategic goals for greenhouse cultivation, which are cultural practices in the greenhouse with different lighting systems, integration of artificial intelligence, and the fight against pests by biological means instead of chemicals. With the work done so far by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Rector Karakaya underlined that it is a leading university in its region, a model in its country and has a voice in the international area and noted that they can be successful in this project as they were in the pilot project, quality studies and distance education studies.
Rector Karakaya: “Kırşehir Has Significant Advantages Over Cities in the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions”
Later in his speech, Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya also reminded that Kırşehir has significant advantages compared to the Mediterranean and Aegean Regions in terms of providing sufficient and low-cost land for modern greenhouse cultivation, ease of finding workers, and ease of access to the big markets in the inner regions. Adding to his words that they will organize workshops, national conferences, and congresses in order to ensure the development and progress of geothermal advanced greenhouse technologies in our country, Karakaya stated that they will support the training of qualified researchers within the scope of the center, products with high added value developed by qualified R&D projects and information and technologies with the effective university-private sector cooperation.