As part of the 25th anniversary of Hisar Schools, the conference series titled “Thinking Big in Agriculture” will be held online on March 23 at 18:00.
In recent months, changing global conditions and post-pandemic developments have brought topics like agriculture, food scarcity, and farming efficiency to the forefront of national discussions. Reports by scientists warn that if measures are not taken to reduce carbon emissions by 2050, agricultural yields could decrease by one-third, driving up food prices. Currently, food prices are near the highest levels of the past decade due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and extreme weather conditions.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Hisar Schools continues to host a conference series aimed at contributing to the knowledge of students and society about the future. The series brings together distinguished experts to discuss current developments in science, technology, and innovation. Open to students, alumni, families, and the wider community through an Open Source approach, the third conference in the series will focus on “Thinking Big in Agriculture.”
The guest speaker for the March 23 conference is Tülin Akın, founder and chairperson of TABİT Smart Agricultural Technologies Inc. During the session, Akın will explore agriculture from multiple perspectives, including profession, opportunity, lifestyle, and nutrition, providing insightful knowledge to participants.
Graduating in 2005 from Akdeniz University’s Vocational School of Agriculture in Agricultural Marketing, Tülin Akın founded TABİT Smart Agricultural Technologies and Turkey’s first agricultural communication, e-learning, and e-commerce network, tarimsalpazarlama.com, while still at university in 2004. She also completed a Micro MBA program at Anadolu University and Boğaziçi University.
Akın launched the Vodafone Farmer Club, implemented in India, Ghana, Kenya, New Zealand, and Tanzania, providing early-warning information to farmers. She also developed farmer computer software with Intel and led social responsibility projects to raise water awareness in rural areas and prevent tractor accidents.
Her achievements include the Agricultural Trade Development Award from the Turkish Farmers’ Association (2012), Turkey’s Changemaker award from Sabancı Foundation (2013), JCI – TOYP Entrepreneurship Award as one of the 10 Young Global Leaders (2013), Anita Borg Institute International Social Impact Award (2013), Garanti – KAGİDER Woman Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2013), and a Nobel nomination by the UN (2014). She was also recognized as the Schwab World’s Best Social Entrepreneur at the World Economic Forum (2018) and received the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Award (2018).
Tülin Akın continues to develop projects aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas, promoting sustainable economic empowerment, and accelerating the social development of farmers and their families.
Hisar Schools’ Education Model Integrates Science, Engineering, Art, and Design
Since its founding, Hisar Schools has aimed to educate students capable of competing globally by offering an academic program that connects science, engineering, art, and design. From an early age, students have opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills through hands-on experiments and observations tailored to their interests. Equipped with these skills, students embark on their life journeys prepared to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement them with perseverance. With 979 graduates and 1,515 current students, Hisar Schools’ community is committed to contributing positively to the country, the world, and humanity.