The Municipality of La Plata, the National University of La Plata (UNLP), and the Embassy of Turkey announced the creation of the first robotics laboratory on the continent, which will feature 3D printing, 3D scanning, and laser cutting.
The announcement was made in the Salon of Agreements of the Municipal Palace, with the presence of Mayor Julio Alak and the Turkish ambassador to Argentina, Süleyman Ömür Budak.
The facility will operate at the UNLP and will be intended for scientific, educational, and research purposes.
A pioneering laboratory
The new center will be named Tka Ceze Lab, in honor of Ismail al-Jazari, considered one of the historical pioneers of robotics and mechanical engineering.
Among its main features:
- Advanced robotics for interdisciplinary projects.
- 3D printing and scanning for rapid prototyping.
- Laser cutting for precision parts.
- Technical training provided by Turkish specialists.
The initiative arose thanks to a donation from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which will also train the staff and send specialized technicians for installation.
Educational and scientific impact
All faculties of the UNLP will be able to use the laboratory, which will allow:
- Cross-access for students from different disciplines.
- Applications in health and reproduction of scientific pieces.
- Technological innovation with potential for future expansion.
Mayor Alak highlighted that the laboratory will position La Plata and the UNLP “at the forefront of technological innovation in Latin America,” strengthening the link between knowledge, public education, and productive development.
Diplomacy and culture
The announcement was part of cultural exchange actions promoted by the Embassy of Turkey.
During the meeting, Ambassador Budak also donated typical Turkish dolls to the International Doll Museum of the Republic of Children, which gathers more than 2,500 specimens and is considered one of the most important collections in Latin America.
Robotics and productive development
The focus on robotics in Argentina seeks to:
- Regional competitive advantage: integrate digitalization and intelligent automation into the economy.
- Enhancement of agriculture and mining: optimize monitoring and harvesting through precision agriculture.
- Collaborative robotics (cobots): assistance in monotonous or heavy processes, improving workplace safety.
- Educational innovation: prepare young people for the demands of the technological market.
The Tka Ceze Lab will be a milestone for the city and the region, combining science, education, and international cooperation.
La Plata is projected as a hub of technological innovation, with a laboratory that will not only benefit students and academics but will also provide concrete solutions to strategic sectors of the Argentine economy.
