A Decade of Innovation: Leading Open Science, Global Networking, and AI-Driven Library Services at IZTECH

169th Colloquium of the Centre for Scientific Information

A Decade of Innovation: Leading Open Science, Global Networking, and AI-Driven Library Services at IZTECH

Gültekin Gürdal, Izmir Institute of Technology

This presentation explores the visionary transformation of the Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) Library over the past decade, positioning it as a cornerstone of the Turkish and European research ecosystems. As one of Turkey’s leading research-oriented institutions, IZTECH has evolved beyond traditional librarianship to become a strategic hub for academic innovation and data management.

A key focus of the session will be the library’s extensive experience in organising and hosting national and international strategic meetings over the last ten years. These events, including high-level symposiums on Open Science and research infrastructures, highlight IZTECH’s role in shaping regional policies and fostering global collaborations.

Furthermore, the presentation will showcase the library’s technological flagship: the GCRIS (Grand Current Research Information System). Special emphasis will be placed on the newly integrated GCRIS AI Assistant, demonstrating how artificial intelligence is being leveraged to streamline research data management, enhance discoverability, and provide personalised support to the academic community. By blending a decade of networking expertise with next-generation AI tools, IZTECH Library serves as a model for modern, service-oriented academic libraries navigating the digital age.

About the speaker:

Gültekin Gürdal is the Head of the Library at Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) and a prominent figure in the global Open Science community. He served as the President of ANKOS (Anatolian University Libraries Consortium), where he led national-level academic collaborations, and remains an active member of the ANKOS AI Working Group. Gültekin currently holds strategic roles on the OpenAIRE Executive Board and the DSpace Leadership Group. As a co-founder of Research Ecosystems, he spearheads the development of GCRIS (Grand Current Research Information System). His recent expertise focuses on integrating Artificial Intelligence into research infrastructures, most notably through the GCRIS AI Assistant. His work continues to bridge the gap between institutional leadership and cutting-edge research technologies.

Practical information:

Time: 5 May 2026, 14:00

Location: hybrid format, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, Zagreb (1st Wing Lecture Hall) and online via Zoom

Online participation: registration via the provided link is required

Language: English

Expected duration: 1 hour

The lecture is open to all interested participants!