Delegates from the 4th National Antarctica Science Expedition, which was established under the auspice of the Presidency and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and under the coordination of TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Institute (MAM) Polar Research Institute (KARE), were sent off from Istanbul Airport.
At the departing ceremony organized for delegates of the 4th National Antarctica Science Expedition, which was made possible through the sponsorship of Türksat, Turkish Airlines, TÜBİTAK, Hasan Kalyoncu University and IGA Air Enterprise, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank, Governor of Istanbul Ali Yerlikaya, President of TÜBİTAK Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, President of TÜBA Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker and Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin attended.
Speaking at the ceremony, Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank stated that within the scope of 4th National Science Expedition to be organized to Antarctica, the 24 person expedition team will be on a long, exciting and challenging journey.
Noting that the continent of Antarctica is not under the rule of any country, Varank said, “The governing of the continent is carried out by the votes of the consulting countries who are members of the Antarctica Treaty. In the year 1995, under the observer status we became part of this agreement. Our ultimate goal is to become a consultant country and to have a say in the future of the continent.”
Mustafa Varank emphasized that polar research has the nature of shedding light on its future as much as its past. He said, “With our advancement in regards to the poles, we want to stand out in terms of scientific research and we want to make our name be heard with our global vision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Türksat, Turkish Airlines, TÜBİTAK, Hasan Kalyoncu University and IGA Air Enterprise for sponsoring our 4th National Science Expedition.”
Varank noted that the expedition team will say goodbye to their families and embark on a difficult and courageous journey of 15 thousand kilometers, and that he wholeheartedly believes that the team will carry out important research on the White Continent, where the Turkish flag will be proudly wave.