Seven Maarif Teams from Four Countries Participate in TEKNOFEST 2026
October 05, 2026
Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMF) participated in TEKNOFEST 2026 with students attending its schools in different countries. Students from Maarif schools in Afghanistan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan took part in technology competitions held in Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa, presenting their innovative projects.
A total of 7 teams, 16 students, and 6 teacher advisors from Turkish Maarif Foundation schools participated in competitions organized as part of TEKNOFEST 2026. Students at primary, middle, and high school levels had the opportunity to showcase projects they developed in various fields, including educational technologies, healthcare, agricultural technologies, and addiction prevention.
Turkish Maarif Foundation participated with five teams in the competitions held in Diyarbakır from September 16 to 20 and was represented by two finalist teams in the competitions held in Şanlıurfa from September 30 to October 4.
Seven Innovative Projects from Four Countries
Students from Maarif Schools in Afghanistan participated in the competitions with projects focusing on educational technologies and addiction prevention. The "FluentFuture" project, developed by students from Sheberghan Boys' High School, competed in the Educational and Digital Experience Technologies category, while the "VapeGuard" project, developed by students from Mazar-i-Sharif Boys' High School, was selected as a finalist in the Technological Applications for Combating Addiction category. Using artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies, VapeGuard aims to detect electronic cigarette use in school environments and provide early warnings.
The "AlgaeMist" project, developed by students from the Kyrgyzstan Maarif Educational Complex, competed in the agricultural technologies category with an algae-based natural protective spray designed to reduce post-harvest food losses in fruits and vegetables. The project aims to create an edible protective barrier on the surface of fruits and vegetables, offering an innovative approach to reducing food waste and extending the shelf life of produce.
Three teams from Maarif Schools in Pakistan participated in the competitions with projects developed in healthcare technologies, educational technologies, and healthy living. A team of primary school students from Maarif Schools in Georgia also took part in the event with a project focusing on healthy living.
Students Participate in Science and Technology Activities
In addition to the competitions, Maarif students participated in technology workshops and science activities organized as part of TEKNOFEST, gaining firsthand experience with various technological applications. They also visited exhibition areas, met participants from different countries, and exchanged ideas about projects and emerging technologies.
The Turkish Maarif Foundation stand at TEKNOFEST also attracted considerable interest from visitors. Hajera Nazari, a graduate of Maarif Schools in Afghanistan who is currently studying at Harran University Faculty of Medicine, welcomed visitors to the stand and contributed to introducing the educational activities of Turkish Maarif Foundation. Students from Science and Technology High Schools in Syria also visited the stand and learned about the Foundation's ongoing activities.
Chairman Özdil Meets with Finalist Students
Turkish Maarif Foundation Chairman Mahmut M. Özdil met with Maarif students who reached the TEKNOFEST finals, accompanied by Board of Trustees members Prof. Dr. Nevzat Şimşek and Ömer Faruk Terzi.
During the meeting, students introduced their projects and shared their preparation processes and TEKNOFEST experiences. The EcoSpark team from Kyrgyzstan and the Al-Khwarizmi 1.0 team from Afghanistan discussed the development stages of their projects and their future goals.
Chairman Özdil and the accompanying delegation received information about the students' work and expressed their support for their initiatives in science and technology.
Özdil: "We Must Develop Solutions to Global Challenges Through International Cooperation"
Turkish Maarif Foundation Chairman Mahmut M. Özdil participated in the "KÜRE Talks" program organized by the Culture and Civilization Foundation (KÜME) as part of TEKNOFEST, where he shared his views on the future of education, international cooperation, and technological developments.
Emphasizing that challenges in education concern not only individual countries but the entire world, Özdil highlighted the importance of international solidarity and cooperation in developing lasting solutions.
Özdil stated that Turkish Maarif Foundation carries out its educational activities in the 66 countries where it operates with an approach based on mutual learning. He emphasized that the Foundation's approach goes beyond simply sharing Türkiye's educational expertise with other countries, drawing attention to the importance of learning from the knowledge, experiences, and perspectives of different societies in advancing and transforming education.
Stressing that education carries responsibilities beyond the transmission of knowledge, Özdil stated that young people should benefit from the accumulated wisdom of the past while developing the skills of independent thinking, critical inquiry, and creativity needed to shape the future.
He also emphasized that scientific and technological advancements cannot be considered independently of ethical values, stating that education should teach young people not only "what they can do" but also "what they should do."
Concluding his remarks with Turkish Maarif Foundation's motto, "Good People Will Save the World," Özdil reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment to supporting young people's work in science and technology.
Innovative Contributions to Science and Technology from Maarif Students
The participation of seven teams from four countries in TEKNOFEST 2026 reflected the opportunities Turkish Maarif Foundation provides to students across different regions of the world in science and technology. Projects developed in fields such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and addiction prevention enabled students to apply their knowledge and skills to address real-life challenges.
Throughout the competitions, Maarif students from diverse cultural backgrounds had the opportunity to present their projects in an international environment and exchange knowledge and experiences with their peers.
Turkish Maarif Foundation continues to support the scientific and technological work of its students around the world, helping them develop innovative ideas and transform those ideas into tangible projects.
