A New Era in University+Industry Collaboration with Kuika

Closing the gap between the education provided at universities and the skills required by the business world is now more critical than ever. In today's rapidly digitalizing world, the technology sector is facing a shortage of skilled human resources. To address this gap, we are introducing a new model in Turkey that integrates university-industry collaboration into the curriculum. As Kuika, we are bringing our AI-powered smart systems development platform to universities through application development courses, equipping students with up-to-date skills, and preparing them for the workforce before graduation. Through our university-industry collaboration courses, we introduce students to real projects and enhance their digital skills.

Digital Transformation and Talent Needs

Organizations around the world are turning to technological solutions in every field to keep pace with the digital age. However, this rapid transformation is also increasing the need for qualified software developers. Traditional software development methods and a limited number of expert developers make it difficult to meet this demand, so new approaches are gaining importance. According to Gartner's forecast, more than 80% of the new applications developed by organizations will be produced using low-code or no-code platforms by 2029.

This trend democratizes software development, allowing even non-technical profiles, known as citizen developers, to participate in application development. In short, next-generation application development approaches offer both a solution that increases productivity and an opportunity to close the software skills gap.

At this point, the role of universities becomes critical. Higher education institutions, which train the workforce of the future, need to quickly adapt their curricula to the rapidly evolving world of technology. Low-code application development and AI-powered tools are becoming skills that not only computer engineering students but also students from different disciplines need to learn. For example, students in various fields, from business to health sciences and even sports management, can develop digital solutions for their own sectors thanks to AI-powered platforms. As a result, software development is no longer an expertise exclusive to IT departments, but a shared skill that everyone can take responsibility for.

University-Industry Cooperation Model: Sector on Campus Program

Turkey took a step toward a comprehensive initiative that brings together university education and industry experience in 2023. The “Sector on Campus” program, coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, is based on companies offering credit courses at universities. This program aims to equip students with the latest knowledge through MTH-coded courses offered by partner companies at universities, thereby cultivating qualified human resources.

Kuika, a company that stands out with the courses it offers, is part of this national program. As the Kuika Artificial Intelligence-Supported Intelligent Systems Development Platform, we are bringing next-generation software development to the university curriculum. As of 2025, Kuika's application development course is being taught at 28 universities in 32 different departments/programs. In these courses, students learn to design web and mobile applications with minimal coding using the Kuika platform; they also gain practical skills such as integrating data sources, modeling workflows, and developing with AI-supported tools.

The courses we offer at universities prepare students for this future work model and give them a competitive advantage. Indeed, our Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) initiatives bring theory and practice together, enabling students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world—so young talents are ready to create value before they graduate.

To date, over 600 students have gained AI-powered smart system development skills through Kuika's university courses. These students experienced the process of turning an idea into a working prototype through project-based assignments and applications throughout the semester. Feedback shows that the courses develop not only technical skills but also problem-solving, creativity, and interdisciplinary work skills. As a result, students who take Kuika courses graduate with a profile that is much closer to the expectations of the business world.

The AI-supported development courses we offer at universities and similar university-industry collaboration initiatives are emerging as the talent development model of the future. This model adds an application-oriented and sector-integrated dimension to traditional classroom education, preparing students for the world they will encounter after graduation. With this approach, which also contributes to Turkey's National Technology Initiative vision, we aim to grow the country's pool of software developers and create a workforce with high digital capabilities across all sectors.

Through our university courses enriched with AI-supported low-code platforms, we offer an effective way to train the qualified human resources required by the age of digital transformation. Benefiting students, educational institutions, and companies alike, this model brings learning and application together, enabling lasting learning and rapid adaptation.

The university-industry collaboration we are pursuing goes beyond being an innovation in course programs; it becomes an investment in the country's future. This investment lays a solid foundation for a competitive and innovative economy by introducing hundreds of young people who are ready for work on the day they graduate into the business world.