Aziz Sancar urges five Turkic states to work together in science

Nobel Prize-winning scientist Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar said at the academic year opening ceremony of Adana Alparslan Türkeş University of Science and Technology that the five major Turkic states must work together in science, technology and the economy to gain influence in the world.

Nobel Chemistry laureate Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar delivered the opening lecture at the opening ceremony for the 2026-2027 academic year at Adana Alparslan Türkeş University of Science and Technology. Speaking at the ceremony held in the university's conference hall, Sancar called on the Turkic world to act together in science and technology.

"There are five major Turkic states. The five major states should work together," Sancar said. He added, "If we want to have a voice in the world and want to be strong in science, technology and the economy, we need to work as the Turkic world." In this context, Sancar listed Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Adana Alparslan Türkeş Bilim ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi kampüsü (arşiv)

The Five Eyes example

Sancar cited the "Five Eyes" alliance, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which assess intelligence among themselves without even sharing it with NATO. He stressed that the Turkic states could achieve similar success if they worked together like these five English-speaking countries.

"I expect 10-15 Nobel Prizes from China"

Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar (arşiv)

Addressing China's rise in recent years, Sancar said, "China was far behind us in the 1970s" and argued that China had surpassed the United States today through a strong breakthrough. Sancar said, "I expect 10-15 Nobel Prizes from China over the next 10-15 years," and stated that he did not currently expect a Nobel Prize from the Turkic world. Sancar added, "They learned from the West, and we should learn from them."

Speaking at the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Adnan Sözen announced that the university's Advanced Technologies Application and Research Center had been named after Aziz Sancar. Adana Governor Mustafa Yavuz said they aimed to train successful and ethical scientists. Sancar was presented with a gift after the speeches.

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