Gul hosts TUBİTAK science awards at Presidental Palace

Top Turkish scientists were honored yesterday in a ceremony hosted by President Abdullah Gul at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, in the 45th annual awards given by the Turkish Scientific and Research Board (TUBITAK). This year's awards covered three categories: science, scientific service and initiative, and – for the first time – history. Speaking at the gathering, Gul said although Turkey can claim many important scientific achievements, it still lags in comparison to many other countries. Gul blamed this lag in part on time wasted on domestic political disputes rather than prioritizing scientific research. Gul said his official residence was hosting the ceremony to demonstrate the state's highest support for science. Princeton University's Sukru Hanioglu, an Ottoman scholar who has done work in the history of science, won the premier TUBITAK history award. At the end of the ceremony, Gul, State Minister Mehmet Aydin and TUBITAK head Nukhet Yetis posed for a photo with the award winners. The event ended with a reception.