ANKARA, Turkey – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a grant with the Middle East Technical University (METU), a public, technical university located in Ankara, to provide technical assistance in support of METU’s Smart Campus Project.  The technical assistance will support METU in exploring the benefits of applying advanced technological solutions to enhance the areas of smart energy, smart transportation, smart water management, smart buildings through the utilization of innovative information and communication technologies (ICT).

Ultimately, the goal of the Smart Campus Project is to enable METU to determine how to best achieve integration of campus infrastructure and services through an integrated, centrally managed and operated system that is responsive to the university administrators and its students.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, John R. Bass, signed the grant on behalf of USTDA during a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, along with Professor Dr. Mehmet Zeyrek, Vice President of METU.  Ambassador Bass remarked, “We are very pleased that we can support the ongoing efforts to explore additional ways to improve energy efficiency and modernize information technology at METU and the potential that offers as a model for other universities, businesses, other parts of Turkish society to use energy more efficiently and to adapt the economy and the society to the opportunities of the digital age.”

“We are very privileged today to get together to sign this agreement for the grant with USTDA.  It’s a great opportunity for us to transform our already green campus,” said Professor Dr. Mehmet Zeyrek, Vice President of METU.

Carl B. Kress, USTDA’s Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, who witnessed the signing noted, “USTDA is pleased to have the opportunity to pursue this exciting project with METU, a project that promises to enhance the experience of METU’s students and faculty and as well as to highlight U.S. equipment and technologies that can help the university achieve its objectives.”

METU will competitively select a U.S. firm to complete the technical assistance. Businesses interested in submitting proposals for this USTDA-funded technical assistance should visit the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website at www.fbo.gov.  A link to the FBO announcement will be posted to USTDA’s website at www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.

USTDA has supported several “smart” projects in Turkey in recent years, including in the areas of smart grid development, intelligent transportation systems, and emergency and disaster management response.

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