As part of his visit to France, Çankırı Karatekin University Rector Prof. Dr. Harun Çiftçi visited the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). During the visit, Rector Çiftçi highlighted ÇAKÜ`s academic strengths in health and science, particularly in cancer research, and expressed interest in exploring opportunities for joint international projects.
IARC is an interdisciplinary organization that plays a vital role in the global fight against cancer. As part of the WHO, it combines expertise in epidemiology, laboratory sciences, and biostatistics to identify the causes of cancer. The agency also promotes international cooperation to implement preventive measures (for more information, visit IARC).
During the visit, Tracy Wootton, an official at IARC, shared insights about the institution’s work, emphasizing its mission to support international cooperation in cancer research. Wootton explained that IARC coordinates research projects across various countries and organizations and focuses on reducing the global burden of cancer through interdisciplinary studies. She also noted that IARC`s primary mission is to enhance the capabilities of cancer researchers worldwide, achieved through publications and scholarships. Wootton further emphasized the agency’s close collaboration with the World Health Organization, particularly in transforming research findings into actionable policies to combat cancer.
Rector Çiftçi thanked Tracy Wootton for the comprehensive information provided and expressed enthusiasm about potential collaborations. He noted that such partnerships would not only support cancer research but also offer valuable opportunities for ÇAKÜ’s academic staff and students, including research and internship mobility. He added that the university would be pleased to collaborate with IARC in efforts to reduce and prevent cancer worldwide.
Following the visit, Dr. Ceren Sunguc, a member of the IARC research team, conducted an online meeting for Çankırı Karatekin University’s academics involved in cancer research and graduate thesis studies. Dr. Sunguc introduced IARC and provided an overview of the agency`s scientific activities. The participating academics discussed potential avenues for collaboration, including joint research initiatives.