ESKİŞEHİR'S DIGITAL FUTURE IS BEING SHAPED WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce visited the Digital Youth Centre, established with the support of European Union funding, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, and met with young people receiving training at the centre.

Meeting with young people who are interested in technology, creating innovative solutions, and preparing for the digital world of the future, Mayor Ünlüce received information about the activities carried out at the centre. Stating that the Digital Youth Centre, which has hosted 30 different training and event programmes in only two months since its opening, achieving a 98% satisfaction rate among participants is a great source of pride, Ünlüce emphasized that the centre has become an important educational hub that helps young people unlock their potential.

Within the programmes prepared in line with international training curricula, young participants receive training in fields that shape the professions of the future, including basic Python coding, artificial intelligence applications, game programming, data analysis, and digital marketing. Improving their digital skills, young people also actively take part in projects contributing to the technological transformation of the city.

As part of the "EskişehirAI" project carried out at the centre, young participants continue their efforts to develop a locally produced artificial intelligence model trained on Eskişehir's urban life, culture, and local data. In addition, through the "Digital Child" project, educational and instructive digital games are being designed for children aged 6-9, aiming to support technology literacy from an early age.

Sharing the excitement of the young participants during her visit, Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce emphasized that raising young people as productive, research-oriented, and innovative individuals who will shape the future of technology is among their top priorities. She stated: "I am very happy to meet with our young people at our Digital Youth Centre, who are interested in technology, creating, and preparing for the future. The high satisfaction rate we have achieved in such a short time is the clearest indication that we have made the right investment. We will continue our efforts with determination to ensure that our young people are not only users of technology, but also individuals who develop and create it. While making Eskişehir one of the leading cities in digital transformation, our greatest strength will once again be our young people.