Social Responsibilities
Pioneer of National Technology Initiative, BAYKAR
Since it was founded, BAYKAR, a pioneer in Turkey's defense industry, has been exploiting its role to disseminate technological development with socially responsible projects. Thanks to Baykar’s projects, the majority of people have achieved social awareness. Aiming to produce Turkish high-tech, Baykar continues to support initiatives in order to increase the capacity and competence of well-trained people both in social and professional life.
The Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation was established in December 2016 by a group of young entrepreneurs and young professionals who believed that, for Türkiye to raise its voice for a better world and take its place among economically and socially advanced nations, it must inevitably carry out a national and indigenous technology initiative. The foundation began its activities in 2017.
The foundation implements various projects to enable talented young people—and individuals from all age groups—to take part in the process of producing technology; to support initiatives, projects, and activities aimed at developing technologies that must be produced nationally and originally due to their strategic importance; to foster an entrepreneurial culture in the field of technology; and to contribute to scientific studies in all these areas.
Through its projects—such as Bilim Türkiye, Discovery Campus, DENEYAP Technology Workshops, DENEYAP Kart, T3 Entrepreneurship Center, Take Off Startup Summit, Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program, National Teams of Technology Support Program, TEKNOFEST, the T3 AI Large Language Model, and KÜRE Digital Encyclopedia (a joint project of T3 Foundation and KÜME Foundation)—the T3 Foundation contributes to the realization of Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative.
Accepting no donations other than from its founders, the sole supporter of the T3 Foundation is Baykar. Under the active leadership of Board of Trustees Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar and Board Member Haluk Bayraktar, the foundation continues its efforts toward transforming Türkiye into a society that develops technology.
Without a doubt, one of the most critical pillars of the paradigm shift required for Türkiye to develop technological competence and become a global actor is strengthening public support for national technology development and cultivating a highly qualified workforce in these fields. The belief and enthusiasm of every individual in our society in the capabilities, strength, and future of our country form the foundation of the “National Technology Initiative.” One of the key conditions for achieving this vision is becoming a major player in the fields of aviation and space—globally recognized as the driving force behind high-technology projects.
With these goals in mind, TEKNOFEST was first held in 2018 and is organized with the partnership of ministries, government offices, public and private sector institutions, academic organizations, and media companies that play critical roles in Türkiye’s national technology ecosystem. TEKNOFEST has been held 13 times in total—two of which were abroad—and three times in 2025. TEKNOFEST TRNC, held on May 1–4, 2025 at the former Ercan Airport, hosted 225,000 visitors; TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland, held August 28–31, 2025 at Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, hosted 175,000 visitors; and TEKNOFEST Istanbul, held September 17–21, 2025 at Atatürk Airport, welcomed 1,032,000 visitors.
To date, TEKNOFEST has hosted more than 11 million visitors and received over 4.5 million competitor applications and nearly 2 million team applications since its early years. With the most recent festival, the competitions reached a total of 64 main categories and 150 sub-categories.
Through exhibition areas, flight demonstrations, seminars, and activities held within TEKNOFEST, the aim has been to increase public interest in the National Technology Initiative. TEKNOFEST Technology Competitions—organized in the key fields of the future—seek to contribute to cultivating a highly qualified talent pipeline. Participants ranging from primary-school students to PhD candidates, recent graduates, and professionals may apply to the competitions; teams that pass the preliminary selection receive material and travel/accommodation support, and those that place receive cash awards.
ÖZDEMİR BAYRAKTAR
NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Within the scope of the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program, the T3 Foundation provides scholarships to students who embrace the vision of the National Technology Initiative and are eager to contribute to Türkiye’s development of national and indigenous technologies. In addition to financial support, the program contributes to the personal, academic, and professional development of its scholars.
Launched in 2018, the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program has provided support to more than 20,000 students.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, a total of 5,000 students are being supported across six different scholarship tracks: Rising Star, Instructor-Mentor, Educational Support, You Will Come, T3 AI Undergraduate Researcher, and the Ethical Communication Scholarship Program.
Türkiye Scholarships & Baykar Technology Joint Scholarship Program
As the Baykar family, we proudly support 200 successful students in coordination with the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). Through the Türkiye Scholarships & Baykar Technology Joint Scholarship Program, we provide scholarships to 148 undergraduate and 52 graduate students.
From Ukraine to Djibouti, from Pakistan to Niger, and from Azerbaijan to Morocco, we are committed to fostering fair, ethical, and highly skilled generations of students from 18 fraternal and friendly countries. These students will contribute to the prosperity of both Türkiye and their home countries.
EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE
On February 6, 2023, Türkiye faced a devastating disaster—one of the largest earthquakes in history, affecting 11 provinces. Baykar responded immediately and actively to this crisis. Our unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed to conduct field reconnaissance, while soup kitchens and container cities were swiftly established to support the affected regions.
Baykar stood by our citizens impacted by what has been termed the “Disaster of the Century,” with over 150 volunteer Baykar personnel and 18 teams working in coordination with non-governmental organizations. We provided a wide range of in-kind aid, including tents, generators, medicine, clothing, toys, and hygiene supplies, to those in need and for search and rescue operations. Our volunteer teams remained in the region for days, tirelessly working to meet the basic needs of the earthquake victims.
In Hatay and Kahramanmaraş, we operated three temporary soup kitchens, providing three meals a day for months. Additionally, in coordination with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (Interior Ministry), we established Baykar Container City in Kahramanmaraş, offering safe and peaceful accommodation for 2,000 people until permanent housing could be completed.
PERMANENT RESIDENCES FOR EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
In response to the devastating earthquake, Baykar initiated the construction of permanent residences for those in need in Adıyaman, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş. We were actively involved in the intensive aid campaigns launched following the disaster. As part of this effort, we have completed a project that includes 352 houses in Hatay, 352 houses in Adıyaman, and 308 houses in Kahramanmaraş, totaling 1,012 permanent residences.
HUMANITARIAN AID
As Baykar, we do not remain indifferent to the humanitarian problems around us.
GAZA
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where a humanitarian catastrophe continues due to the occupation by Israel, Baykar has donated $10 million to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, bolstering their relief efforts.
UKRAINE
Since February 2022, Baykar has been committed to providing substantial humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people, who have been displaced and are facing immense challenges in meeting their basic needs due to the ongoing conflict.
LIBYA
In the wake of devastating floods in Libya, a nation with which Türkiye shares a close bond of friendship and brotherhood, Baykar extended significant humanitarian assistance.
IDLIB, SYRIA
Baykar continues to support the people of Syria, who have endured severe hardships in accessing basic necessities for over a decade due to the protracted conflict.
The Canan Bayraktar Public Health Foundation
The Canan Bayraktar Public Health Foundation, established in 2020, is dedicated to advancing research in immunology, oncology, psychology, psychiatry, and rare diseases. One of the foundation's key focus areas is addressing social issues and pioneering innovative treatments. The foundation actively develops psychosocial intervention and rehabilitation programs in collaboration with scientific research, particularly in the fields of oncology and psychology. Its mission includes establishing laboratories, institutes, and higher education centers to support future research and forming partnerships, both materially and morally, with relevant institutions.
Within the foundation operates BAĞDAM (Contextual Behavioral Sciences Center), a specialized research center dedicated to studying human behavior and clinical issues across multiple levels and dimensions, adhering to the principles of contextual behavioral sciences.
BAYKAR NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Baykar National Technology Vocational and Technical High School is a project school established under the "Vocational Education Cooperation Protocol" signed between Baykar and the Ministry of National Education on May 31, 2024. The school offers a comprehensive five-year education program, including an English preparatory year. It is the first vocational and technical high school in Istanbul dedicated to the fields of defense, aviation, and space.
Students receive extensive education and training in highly sought-after areas, such as "Aerospace Technology" (encompassing propulsion systems, electronic systems, design, and manufacturing) and "Information Technologies" (with a focus on software development). As part of the curriculum, students are required to complete internships, which they undertake within ongoing projects at Baykar. After graduation, Baykar actively supports students in securing employment opportunities.
Each student at the Baykar National Technology Vocational and Technical High School benefits from scholarship support provided by Baykar. The students are trained by Baykar’s expert staff and academic advisors, who bring global experience to the classroom. Additionally, Baykar equips the school with state-of-the-art workshops, laboratories, and all necessary educational tools.
Feeling responsible for the future Turkey’s defense and aviation industry, BAYKAR is welcoming high school and college students in its Hadımköy, Istanbul R & D Center.
During their visits, students have observed the production line.
Followingly, BAYKAR Technical Manager Selçuk Bayraktar and experienced engineers at BAYKAR present themselves and share a sincere talk with the guests.
All in all, BAYKAR is highly proud of welcoming Turkey’s future.
