R&D and Laboratories

Established as a research university under the “University That Transforms Knowledge into Products” approach, Konya Food and Agriculture University offers laboratories specialized in many different fields and equipped with state-of-the-art technology to our students and faculty members. In addition to the laboratories established to support the courses taught in our departments, there are also numerous other laboratories available for the research activities of our faculty and students.

KIT-ARGEM: Turkey’s First and Most Comprehensive Thematic R&D Center in the Field of Kit Development, Supported by the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of the Republic of Turkey

Located on the campus of Konya Food and Agriculture University and established with a total budget of 25 million TL with the support of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of the Republic of Turkey, the New Generation Food Test Kits and Reference Materials Research and Development Center (KIT-ARGEM), the goal is to produce diagnostic kits used in the food, agriculture, and health sectors—nearly all of which are currently imported from abroad—using domestic capabilities. Through KİT-ARGEM, the necessary infrastructure will be established and expertise built to develop these diagnostic kits and the core materials used in them. As the first of its kind in Turkey in its field, the center serves a large number of researchers and practitioners from both academia and industry. Within KİT-ARGEM, our academics from a wide range of disciplines—including electrical-electronics engineering, computer engineering, molecular biology and genetics, food engineering, and bioengineering, our faculty members, R&D specialists, and students have the opportunity to collaborate using an interdisciplinary approach.

The KİT-ARGEM project is the most comprehensive initiative of its kind in Turkey. Within the center, DNA, protein, and synthetic biology-based diagnostic kits are developed for areas such as food safety and traceability, the diagnosis and monitoring of animal and plant diseases, GMO detection, halal food certification, and the identification of animal and plant genetic types and diseases. Research is conducted on the development of DNA-, protein-, and synthetic biology-based diagnostic kits; the chemicals required for these kits; and the necessary software and hardware for their use. Under the KIT-ARGEM houses numerous laboratories equipped with diverse technical infrastructure, including cell culture, molecular microbiology, next-generation DNA sequencing, proteomics, genomics, microscopy, electrophoresis, chemical synthesis, cleanroom, and electronic device prototyping laboratories.

Strategic Product Development, Application, and Research Center (SARGEM) Laboratories

The Special Food Control Laboratory and the Biocidal Product Analysis Laboratory, which operate under SARGEM at Konya Food and Agriculture University, provide testing and analysis services to universities, the public and private sectors, grower and producer associations, foundations, professional organizations, chambers of commerce and stock exchanges, and individuals. Accredited by TÜRKAK, the SARGEM Specialized Food Control Laboratory has received an “Organization Competency Permit” from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock of the Republic of Turkey and and is authorized to perform 120 different analyses under the “TSE Approval for Laboratories Authorized to Provide Testing Services.” The laboratory also houses the SARGEM Biocidal Product Analysis Laboratory, which has been authorized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey to conduct biological efficacy tests on biocidal products.

Seed and Plant Health Clinic

The Seed and Plant Health Clinic at Konya Food and Agriculture University, established in 2023, serves as a plant hospital where diagnostic and control efforts are carried out against diseases that pose problems in agricultural production in our country. The clinic identifies seed-borne diseases before planting, diseases that emerge during the growing season, and diseases that occur after harvest, thereby determining the most appropriate and effective control methods. At the Seed and Plant Health Clinic, studies are conducted to identify the problems our farmers face throughout the growing season and to provide the most appropriate control strategies. Additionally, the clinic conducts research on biological control methods to address biotic and abiotic stress factors that cause growth abnormalities in plants. To address pathological and environmental problems in agricultural crops arising from or exacerbated by climate change, control strategies are being developed that preserve ecological balance and enable the sustainability of agricultural production. The Seed and Plant Health Clinic offers university students the opportunity to complete their internships and makes significant contributions to the academic development of our students who actively participate in the scientific research and projects conducted within the clinic. We welcome all students and farmers who say, “I am part of the future of our country’s agriculture,” to the Seed and Plant Health Clinic.

A First in English Education: 4K Virtual Reality Classroom Enables a “Learner-Centered” Approach to Education

The 4K-resolution virtual classroom, which has been launched by the Foreign Languages Coordination Office at Konya Food and Agriculture University, is a first in Turkey. Konya Food and Agriculture University designed this virtual classroom—which utilizes entirely original and locally developed software—to help students learn English, practice English, and keep their vocabulary up to date. Thanks to the virtual reality headset and joystick in the virtual classroom, students at Konya Food and Agriculture University can freely explore the streets of the virtual environment and eavesdrop on conversations between English-speaking individuals. This allows them to be exposed to different accents and improve their English proficiency. By moving beyond conventional educational approaches, the virtual classroom at Konya Food and Agriculture University transforms what would otherwise be a standard English class into an enjoyable learning experience for students.