17.02.2016 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu attended the Science and Technology High Council meeting presided over by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu.
The meeting took place closed at the Ankara Gölbaşı Provincial
Headquarters following the opening keynote by PM Davutoğlu. Also present during
the meeting were Deputy PM Mehmet Şimşek, Science, Industry and Technology
Minister Fikri Işık, National Education Minister Nabi Avcı, YÖK Director Yekta
Saraç, Development Ministry Undersecretary Cüneyd Düzyol, İstanbul University
Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, TAEK Chair Zafer Alper, TÜBİTAK Chair Prof. Dr.
Arif Ergin.
PM Davutoğlu reported that annual R&D spending has increased from
3.9 billion USD in 2002 to 17.6 billion USD as of last year, approximately
equal to 1% of GNP, and stated that they plan to increase this ratio to 3% in
the future.
Davutoğlu emphasized that they are planning for the future by sharing
thoughts, strategies and opinions on science and industry, making decisions
along with the science councils and institutions.