High level US official participates in TASSA-TUBITAK workshop

The second TASSA-TUBITAK workshop, which brings the scientists across the Atlantic together in order to develop collaborative research projects, will take place in Gebze, Turkey, on May 28-31, 2006 (see http://www.tassausa.org/index.php?pageName=tubitak&Type=programs and http://www.tassausa.org/Default.php?Type=News&go=69). Twice as many participants from North America are invited to the workshop this time and the previous five workshop themes are now expanded to include two more, Nutritional Sciences and Technology Management. Dr. George Atkinson, the Science and Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (appointed by Colin Powell in 2003) will address the participants in the opening session. The group of scientists will have an opportunity to talk with him in person at Gebze.

TASSA has been instrumental in the arrangement of Dr. Atkinson's four-day trip to Turkey. During his visit, which has required considerable time and effort in both countries to be realized, he will be officially hosted by TUBITAK. Dr. Atkinson’s visit is significant in that it will bring together the highest level policy making institutions of both countries, in alignment with TASSA's mission.

Dr. Atkinson's program includes, besides holding meetings at TUBITAK Headquarters in Ankara, touring the facilities at MAM institutes, visiting a few state and private universities both in Istanbul and Ankara, meeting with some TUSIAD members, and seeing U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson. TASSA President Suleyman Gokoglu will accompany him throughout his stay in Turkey.

For more details about Dr. Atkinson's career and responsibilities, please refer to the following sites: http://www.state.gov/g/stas/37306.htm http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/24359.htm http://www.chem.arizona.edu/faculty/profile/profile.php?fid_call=atki