Administration

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çelik was born in Konya in 1965. After graduating from the Department of Mechanics at Konya Technical High School, he received his bachelor's degree in 1989, master's degree in 1991, and Ph.D. in 1997 from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Middle East Technical University (METU). Between 1989 and 1997, he served as a research assistant in the Division of Mechanics at the same department. From 1995 to 1996, he conducted research as a visiting scholar at The Ohio State University.

From 1998 to 2010, he worked at ASELSAN's MST/REHİS Group, serving as Senior Design Leader and Manager of the Mechanical Analysis and Testing Unit. During this period, he took part in numerous R&D and technical projects involving land, naval, and air platforms and prepared 142 technical reports for the defence industry. Between 1998 and 2000, he also taught courses in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Program at the Department of Technical Sciences of the Turkish Military Academy. In 2003, he was granted the title of Associate Professor of Mechanics in the field of Mechanics. From 2003 to 2013, he served as a committee member in the NATO Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) working groups on "Applied Vehicle Technology" and "Sensors and Electronics Technology."

Following his appointment as Professor at KTO Karatay University in 2010, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çelik held several academic and administrative positions, including Founding Chair of the Departments of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Chair of the Bologna Coordination Commission, Vice Dean, and Acting Director of the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences. He also served as a member of the Project Evaluation Committee under KOSGEB's "Research, Development, Innovation and Industrial Application Support Programme," served on academic juries, and acted as a reviewer for TÜBİTAK projects and conferences. Between 2012 and 2015, he served as an Education and Technical Consultant and Project Technical Manager at ASELSAN's MGEO Sector. From 2013 to 2015, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the TÜBİTAK-TEYDEB USETEG (Transportation, Defense, Energy and Textile Technologies Group).

From February 2015 to 2017, he held several senior positions, serving as Vice President and Acting President of TÜBİTAK, as a member of the TÜBİTAK Scientific Board, and as a member of the Higher Education Quality Board of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Between 2017 and 2022, he served as ASELSAN's Deputy General Manager responsible for Technology and Strategy Management. In this capacity, he played a founding role in initiatives aimed at developing the technology and industrial ecosystem, contributing to the establishment of major initiatives and institutions such as ASELSAN Academy, ASELSAN Cyprus, ASELSAN Konya Inc., ASELSAN, and ASELSAN Konya Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, and the Konya Technology Industrial Zone.

By Presidential Decree, he was appointed as a member of the Council of Higher Education on July 15, 2018, and as a member of the Presidential Board for Science, Technology and Innovation Policies on October 9, 2018. From 2019 to 2021, he served as Chair of the University-Industry Cooperation (ÜSİ) Committee of the Council of Higher Education. Between 2021 and 2024, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of ASELSAN Sivas Hassas Optik A.Ş., and from 2021 to 2025, as Chairman and Member of the Board of Managers of AselsanNet. Between 2022 and 2025, he served as Deputy General Manager of ASELSAN and Head of its Transportation, Security, Energy, Automation and Health (UGES) Sector. He served as a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KTO Karatay University from 2010 to 2026. Since 2015, he has been a full member of TÜBA (the Turkish Academy of Sciences).

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çelik brings together extensive academic expertise, many years of experience in the defense and high-tech industries, and the roles he has undertaken in shaping science and higher education policies. His areas of academic expertise include experimental mechanics, fatigue theory, structural analysis, machine elements, shock and vibration in military platforms, operational dynamic analysis, stress measurement, and accelerated life testing. His academic work includes articles published in national and international scientific journals, conference papers, graduate theses completed under his supervision, and contributions to patent-related work. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çelik has continued his work in national technology development in the defense industry and civilian fields and in shaping science and higher education policies, guided by an approach of effective management.

He was appointed Rector of Konya Technical University by Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette on November 7, 2026. He is married and has three daughters.