On December 17, 2025, the Mersin University Research Dean's Office held an information and evaluation meeting for the academic staff of the Faculty of Medicine on the basis of "Research Systematics and Governance."

The meeting was attended by our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hakan Öztürk, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Murat Ünal, and faculty members. During the meeting, participants were informed about the work carried out in line with Mersin University's "Research University" vision, the institutional structure, and performance indicators. Our Research Dean, Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir, stated that this year has been declared the patent year at the university, and that 2026 is targeted to be the project year. Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir, noting that the Faculty of Medicine is the largest faculty at the university, said, "The data coming from the Faculty of Medicine is of great importance to all of us. We expect your support in this matter."

"Why should we become a Research University?

Prof. Dr. Özdemir shared the organizational structure of the Research Dean's Office, its service units, national and international project support mechanisms, and strategic goals aimed at strengthening the research ecosystem. Özdemir emphasized the importance of producing competitive knowledge within an ethical framework, with the participation of all stakeholders. Prof. Dr. Özdemir pointed out that Mersin University aims to become a Research University, stating, “Why should we be a Research University? Firstly, for prestige. Becoming a Research University will meet our unlimited staffing demands and provide additional research funding. In this regard, distributions starting from 100 million in 2022 reached approximately 400 million in 2024. These figures can be increased if universities request them.” “In 2025, a budget approaching one billion [Turkish Lira] was allocated to 23 research universities,” he said. Research Dean Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir stated that 25 patent applications and 3 international patent applications were submitted to the Intellectual Property Rights Board in 2024-2025, and 3 patent registrations were obtained. Prof. Dr. Caner Özdemir added that the target for 2026 is to obtain 60 patents.

The event presented current data on the Faculty of Medicine's article, presentation, and project performance, as well as publication-citation indicators. The presentation also evaluated TÜBİTAK projects and patent application/registration statuses, revealing the faculty's progress in research output.

Following the presentation, our Vice Dean of Research and also the Research Dean's Office International Projects Coordinator Prof. Dr. Yasemin Yuyucu Karabulut and the Research Dean's Office National Projects Coordinator Prof. Dr. Aylin Altan Mete provided participants with information on the project application process, from application to acceptance. He provided information about the support provided.

“Our aim is to raise awareness”

In the final part of the meeting, Ramazan Duman, the Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights (IIPR) Officer of the Technology Transfer Office (TTO), gave an informative presentation on intellectual and industrial property rights, patent processes, and the commercialization of university-originated inventions. Sharing the importance of patent applications conducted in universities within the framework of the Industrial Property Law and examples of their application with the participants, Duman said, “Our aim is to raise awareness among Mersin University academics, students, and researchers regarding intellectual property rights, to increase the number of patent applications, and to ensure the commercialization of patents.”

The event concluded after a question-and-answer session and mutual exchange of views. The meeting aims to contribute to strengthening the research culture and increasing project-oriented studies at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine.

News: Sıla Aydemir