Türkiye and the United Kingdom Launch Scientific Collaboration for Child Health

A strategic collaboration launched with Newcastle University and Hacettepe University will conduct international research in childhood nutrition, physical activity, metabolic health and mental wellbeing. The four-year program aims to support young researchers and establish a sustainable scientific network between Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Under the leadership of Sabri Ülker Vakfı, a comprehensive scientific collaboration focused on healthy child development has been initiated between Newcastle University and Hacettepe University. Through the program implemented under the Strategic Research and Capacity Development Partnership, the aim is to create a long-term research platform between Turkey and the United Kingdom.

The platform, which focuses on supporting balanced nutrition habits, increasing physical activity, preserving metabolic health and strengthening children's mental wellbeing, will advance scientific collaborations through joint research, researcher exchange programs and international science symposiums.

For over 15 years, Sabri Ülker Vakfı has been working to disseminate reliable scientific information, support research contributing to public health and foster the development of young scientists. With this new initiative, the foundation aims to strengthen scientific collaborations at an international scale.

International Research Network in Child Health to be Established
The program, to be conducted in collaboration with Newcastle University's Institute for Population and Health Sciences and School of Biomedical, Nutrition and Sport Sciences, and Hacettepe University's Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, will carry out interdisciplinary research in childhood nutrition, physical activity, metabolic health and mental wellbeing.

Under the four-year project, three doctoral researchers will be supported through an international mentorship model. The research will examine the effects of nutritional interventions on metabolic health, cognitive performance and mental wellbeing in school-age children.

Within the program scope, nutrition behaviour and physical activity habits of children during their transition from primary to secondary school will also be evaluated using scientific methods.

Within the framework of the collaboration;

-Comparative research will be conducted in Turkey and the United Kingdom.
-Young researchers will be supported through joint doctoral and training programs.
-Researcher exchange programs will be developed.
-International science symposiums will be organized alternately in both countries each year.
-An International Scientific Advisory Board and Joint Steering Committee will ensure program sustainability.

"Every Investment in Science is an Investment in Humanity's Future"
Sabri Ülker Vakfı Board Chair Yahya Ülker stated that scientific collaborations are not limited solely to producing research, but also hold great importance in training future researchers.

Ülker said, "As Sabri Ülker Vakfı, for over 15 years we have supported work that contributes to transforming reliable scientific knowledge for public benefit. We believe that scientific progress is possible through training scientists who will conduct research and strengthening international research networks. We view this partnership not merely as a collaboration between two universities, but as a permanent bridge established between Turkey and the international scientific community."

Global Scientific Solutions to Global Health Challenges
Prof. Bernard Corfe, Director of Newcastle University's Human Nutrition and Exercise Research Centre, emphasized that global challenges regarding healthy child development can only be addressed through international and interdisciplinary research.

Corfe stated that the program aims to include young researchers in international scientific networks, develop joint training models and create sustainable scientific capacity between the two countries.

Prof. Zehra Büyüktuncer Demirel, Faculty Member at Hacettepe University's Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Division of Nutrition Sciences and Member of Sabri Ülker Vakfı Science Board, noted that the collaboration will increase Turkey's international visibility in nutrition and public health research.

Aiming for Scientific Capacity and Public Health Contributions
Through the strategic partnership between Sabri Ülker Vakfı, Newcastle University and Hacettepe University, the aim is to generate new scientific data in the field of healthy child development, support young researchers and ensure that the scientific outputs contribute to public health applications.