IOSTE EURASIAN REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND BROKERAGE EVENT HORIZON-2020 ON S&T EDUCATION, ISTANBUL TURKEY, 24-26 April 2015

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The International Organization of Science and Technology Education (IOSTE) Eurasian Regional Symposium and Brokerage Event Horizon-2020 was held at the Bahçe?ehir University (BAU) Istanbul, Turkey from 24- 26 April, 2015. The President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro participated in the event; he chaired a session on 25th April, 2015 and made a presentation on Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) and other programmes of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF). Title of his presentation was; "Inquiry Based Science Education- Key to S &T Innovation and Economic Development in ECO Region". Purpose of the presentation was to introduce ECOSF and its programme and seek collaboration in scientific and technological innovation from other countries, mainly the ECO member countries especially Turkey; which is a founder member state of the ECO.

It was emphasized by the President that Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) is vital to enhance the concept of innovation among youth for better economy. He said that ECOSF is supporting S&T research projects of applied nature in collaboration among its 10 member countries but to ensure a sustainable supply of talent for economic development, ECOSF is promoting IBSE at school level in the region. He also discussed the strategies of ECOSF for IBSE and S&T based innovation and cooperation in ECO region. A delegation of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) comprising of Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf and Principal Scientific Officer, Dr. Mirza Habib Ali also participated in the event and presented a poster.

Earlier, the meeting was opened by Director of BAU. The President IOSTE, Dr. Hae-Ae Seo, Pusan National University, Korea also had a word in the inaugural ceremony. The head of International Department of the Turkish National Organization is promoting S&T Research and Education in the country. The director of International Collaboration & Horizon 2020 National coordinator Mr. Hakan Karatas said was the chief guest. Mr. Hakan Karatas said in his speech that Turkey is the second largest investor in S&T after China. He said that TUBITAK had joined EU's 7th Framework Programme (FP-7) and now is participating in Horizon 2020 under a bilateral agreement. TUBITAK supports scientists for various scientific activities including funding of research projects and travel grants within the country, but to encourage Turkish scientists to participate in the EU Horizon 2020 programme, they provide special incentives. He said that TUBITAK provides matching grants to winners of EU funding. In addition, they give away cash prizes of 50,000 Euro each and travel grants to project winners of EU funding.

The basic aim of the event was to provide information about Horizon-2020, to bring all stakeholders together and to enhance partnerships among potential coordinators and partners in a fruitful networking environment. In the technical session of the event all the EU's premature projects were presented by all the project investigators from Europe and other countries.