The “Young Minds, New Ideas” competition was held in collaboration with the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTHK) and the Turkish Informatics Association. The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Nicosia, Ali Murat Başçeri, stated that “young people’s ideas should connect with industry and be transformed into production.”

The “Young Minds, New Ideas” (GBYF CYPRUS) project competition was held in collaboration with the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTHK) and the Turkish Informatics Association.

Hosted by the European University of Lefke, the competition featured project exhibitions and project evaluation sessions prepared by university students studying in the field of information technologies across the country during the day. Students from 10 universities participated in the competition.

The competition, which aimed to develop students’ innovative thinking skills, generate new ideas, and connect qualified human resources with the sector, concluded with the presentation of finalist projects, final voting, and the award ceremony.

It was stated that the Young Minds, New Ideas competition, which was organized for the first time in the TRNC this year following its 15th edition in Türkiye, will continue in the coming years as well.

The event was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Nicosia Ali Murat Başçeri, Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority Kadri Bürüncük, senior officials, sponsors, academics, and students.

BAŞÇERİ: “YOUNG PEOPLE’S IDEAS SHOULD MEET INDUSTRY AND BE TRANSFORMED INTO PRODUCTION”

In his speech at the event, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Nicosia, Ali Murat Başçeri, thanked the European University of Lefke for hosting the competition, the contributing universities, and the Turkish Informatics Association for bringing the Young Minds, New Ideas competition to life. He stated that the association had brought the experience and knowledge of the “Young Minds, New Ideas” concept, which created transformation in Türkiye’s technology ecosystem, to the TRNC.

Başçeri expressed his belief that ideas emerging from the competition could be evaluated within the industry and business sectors, emphasizing that GBYF Cyprus goes beyond being a standard student competition.

Stating that the TRNC economy is based on tourism and higher education, Başçeri noted that a strong educational infrastructure has been formed especially over the last 20 years, with 23 universities operating, over one hundred thousand students, and more than 6,000 academic staff members.

Calling for competition among universities to evolve from increasing student numbers toward transforming ideas into industrial production, Başçeri noted that the goal of creating a “Cyprus Informatics Island” should be considered within this framework.

Ambassador Başçeri stated that the Republic of Türkiye is ready to contribute to efforts in this field and underlined the importance of the real sector, production, and the contribution universities can make to the economy through projects for the future of the TRNC.

Referring to the need to eliminate infrastructure deficiencies in order to reach the goal, Başçeri recalled that a protocol had been signed to strengthen the fiber optic infrastructure in order to make the TRNC a center of attraction in the fields of information technologies and high technology. Başçeri said, “Our only wish is for the uncertainty regarding the approval of the protocol to be resolved and for the enthusiasm and efforts of young people not to be prevented from meeting industry.”

ARIKLI: “LEGAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE CYPRUS INFORMATICS ISLAND GOAL”

Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı stated that information technology is a necessity of the modern era and said that countries leading in technology also lead in inter-state competition. Drawing attention to the recent use of artificial intelligence in wars, Arıklı noted that efforts are being made for the TRNC to develop in this field as well.

Arıklı stated that legal and technological infrastructure must be prepared in order to realize the goal of a “Cyprus Informatics Island,” recalling that the transition from 3G to 4.5G was achieved in a short time but was not sufficient, after which a protocol with Türkiye was signed for fiber optic infrastructure.

Emphasizing that the next step is 5G, Arıklı shared that discussions are being held within this scope and that they aim to launch efforts for the transition to 5G in designated locations on July 20.

Minister Arıklı stated that implementing innovations in the TRNC is difficult and that the system occasionally creates obstacles. Giving examples such as Uber and public transportation systems used in modern countries, Arıklı said that the status quo must be overcome and that this is why they are involved in politics.

Speaking highly of the projects included in the “Young Minds, New Ideas” competition, Arıklı expressed his belief that the competition would be held with far more participants next year and stated that the differences with other countries would be closed through the efforts of young people. Arıklı thanked those who contributed, the sponsors, the organizers, the European University of Lefke, and BTHK, and wished success to the youth.

BÜRÜNCÜK: “SUCH EVENTS SHOULD CONTINUE BY GROWING”

President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority Kadri Bürüncük also thanked those who contributed to the event and the young people who prepared projects.

Sharing the excitement, they felt from evaluating numerous projects throughout the day, Bürüncük congratulated all project owners for their efforts.

Expressing his hope that the event would continue in the coming years with broader participation, Bürüncük noted that everyone’s contribution is needed for such events to continue. Bürüncük stated that BTHK would continue contributing to the process.

PROF. DR. YÜKSELEN: “AS EUL, WE ARE PROUD TO HOST THIS EXCITEMENT”

European University of Lefke Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Yükselen stated that they were proud to host “one of the student events with the highest excitement and energy” that he had seen in recent years.

Thanking the universities, students participating in the competition, academics, and sponsors who contributed to the event, which required tremendous effort, Yükselen stated that he believes the event will be embraced by other universities in the coming years and carried even further forward.

ALTINSAAT: “WE WILL CONTINUE OUR WORK IN THE TRNC”

President of the Turkish Informatics Association Kenan Nurhan Altınsaat expressed his satisfaction with the launch of the “Young Minds, New Ideas” competition in the TRNC and said that they were happy to see the level reached today through the cooperation agreement signed with BTHK within the framework of the “Cyprus Informatics Island” vision.

Altınsaat stated that during the final process they listened to projects from young people across different disciplines and expressed their satisfaction with the interest shown. He also noted that thanks to the competition, students had the opportunity to meet peers from different universities and departments and establish future professional collaborations.

Announcing that the Turkish Informatics Association decided to establish a working group in the TRNC, Altınsaat also stated that the winning projects would be invited to the National Informatics Congress and the Young Informatics Professionals Congress.

KÜÇÜKÖZDEMİR: “WE BELIEVE THIS COMPETITION WILL BECOME A TRADITION IN THE TRNC”

One of the main sponsors of the competition, Northern Cyprus Turkcell General Manager Murat Küçüközdemir, stated that he believes the organization, which was held for the first time in the TRNC and which they are very happy to sponsor, will become a tradition there just as it has in Türkiye.

Emphasizing the importance of young people taking advantage of such opportunities, Küçüközdemir stated that Northern Cyprus Turkcell opens its doors to recent graduates through young talent programs. Explaining that applications such as “Play and Win” and internet reward systems based on step counts were implemented through suggestions from young people within the company, Küçüközdemir stated that technology can be used to make society healthier, more entertaining, and better educated.

USTACAN: “TODAY’S PROJECTS COULD BECOME TOMORROW’S INITIATIVES AND LOCAL TECHNOLOGIES”

One of the main sponsors of the competition, Telsim Deputy General Manager Murat Ustacan, drew attention to the fact that approximately 120 projects took part in the organization, showing how strong young people’s interest is in technology, engineering, and production. He stated that telecommunications, software, and energy are among the fields shaping the future.

Ustacan noted that the factor making the difference in these fields is not only technology, but also human resources capable of using technology in the right place, at the right time, and for the right purpose. He stated that increasing youth employment depends on raising individuals who produce solutions, think entrepreneurially, and possess digital competencies. Ustacan added that the projects presented today could become tomorrow’s initiatives, R&D centers, and domestic technologies.

WINNERS WERE DETERMINED THROUGH INSTANT VOTING

Following the protocol speeches, finalist projects selected through evaluations conducted throughout the day were presented. The finalist projects were instantly voted on by the jury and protocol members. Accordingly, the results were announced as follows:

“Software, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Platforms” category:

“1. EUL – AI-Powered Skin Analysis System. 2. EMU – AI-supported study platform (Web Application for Education: Question–Answer Sharing System). 3. METU NCC – Secure Online Voting System (SOVS)”

“Engineering, Hardware and Sustainable Technologies” category:

“1. CIU – Structural acoustic objects and critical monitoring system (Y.A.N.K.I. Yield Analysis & Networked Kinetic Intelligence). 2. NEU – Alzheimer’s early diagnosis sensor (Innovative Point-of-Care Biosensors Targeting SMAD3 for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease). 3. EMU – AI-supported navigation system for visually impaired individuals (NYSME (Now You See Me): Assistive Navigation System with AI-Based Perception and Multimodal Feedback with Sensor Fusion for Real-Time Environmental Awareness)”

The competition concluded with the presentation of award cheques worth 10,000, 20,000, and 40,000 TL respectively to the winning teams, as well as plaques presented to contributors.

The event’s main sponsors were Telsim, Northern Cyprus Turkcell, and K-MET, while PASHA supported the event as an event sponsor and Koopbank as a platinum sponsor. Gold sponsors included EMI Technologies Ltd., Güven Sigorta, Barikat Cyber Security, Metgin, Ekin Adademir Ltd., and PRO Temizlik.