Mustafa Zaim, President of the Board of Directors at Maxion İnci& Maxion Jantaş, stated that creating social impact in the regions where they operate and building a sustainable future are among their key priorities, adding, “We believe this protocol represents one of the most tangible and valuable examples of university-industry collaboration.”
Maxion İnci Wheel Group, a leading company in Türkiye’s automotive supply industry, and Manisa Celal Bayar University (MCBU), one of the region’s longstanding educational institutions, have established a model university-industry partnership aimed at strengthening young people’s technical skills and preparing them for professional careers.
Through the protocol signed between Maxion İnci Wheel Group and Manisa Celal Bayar University, the internationally recognized Formare Program, which has been implemented worldwide for 35 years and has positively impacted more than 26,000 young people, will now be launched in Manisa.
The signing ceremony, held at the Rectorate Building of Manisa Celal Bayar University, was attended by Mustafa Zaim, President of the Board of Directors of Maxion İnci & Maxion Jantaş; Şelale Zaim, Member of the Board of Maxion İnci & Maxion Jantaş; and Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, Rector of Manisa Celal Bayar University.
Combining Equal Opportunity in Education with Technical Development
By contributing to the Formare approach, developed under the umbrella of the IOCHPE Foundation, Maxion Wheels puts its global vision of supporting sustainable workforce development into practice in Türkiye through Maxion İnci Wheel Group.
In line with this vision, the program aims to enhance the development of students from the Manisa Technical Sciences Vocational School (MTSVS) in a way that strengthens the role of technical education in strategic industries and prepares them as highly qualified professionals for the business world.
As part of the program, students will have the opportunity to transform their theoretical knowledge into practical experience through real-life projects while receiving volunteer mentoring and training support from Maxion İnci Wheel Group employees.
Mustafa Zaim: “We Are Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mustafa Zaim, President of the Board of Directors of Maxion İnci & Maxion Jantaş, emphasized that creating social impact in the communities where the company operates and contributing to a sustainable future are among the Group’s key priorities.
Highlighting that they are inspired by the strong commitment to education demonstrated by İnci Holding through the İnci Foundation and by Iochpe-Maxion through the Iochpe Foundation, Zaim stated:
“Through the Formare Program, we support young people in discovering and developing their potential. Our goal is not only to equip them with technical expertise, but also with leadership capabilities and a strong professional work culture. In this context, we carry out a broad range of initiatives, from collaborations with vocational high schools and technical education programs to internship and apprenticeship models, as well as projects that increase women's participation in manufacturing. Through these efforts, we are nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. We believe this protocol is one of the most tangible and valuable examples of university-industry collaboration.”
Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar: “Our Students Will Enter the Workforce Better Prepared”
Emphasizing the significance of the collaboration, Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, Rector of Manisa Celal Bayar University, said:
“We are delighted to create new development opportunities for our students through this collaboration. We designed this development journey for the students of the Mechanical Engineering Program at the Manisa Technical Sciences Vocational School, inspired by the Formare approach. Through this model, we aim for our students to graduate not only with strong technical knowledge, but also with the professional competencies, discipline, and work culture demanded by today’s business world. By combining the strengths of technical education with industry experience through a holistic approach, we provide our students with a real and sustainable career advantage. We would like to thank Maxion İnci Wheel Group for its valuable contributions and strong support in making this program possible.”
Program Scope and Benefits
Launching with the 2026–2027 academic year, the program will cover second-year students of the Mechanical Program at MCBU’s Manisa Technical Sciences Vocational School.
Within the scope of the program, students will benefit from:
Infrastructure support for the modernization of laboratories, workshops, and classrooms,
Technical and personal development training delivered by Maxion İnci Wheel Group professionals,
Opportunities to participate in real-life projects and gain firsthand experience of the business world,
Scholarship and award programs for high-performing students.
About the Formare Program
Created in 1989 by the IOCHPE Foundation, Formare is an innovative development program designed to promote equal opportunities in education.
Implemented in Türkiye through the İnci Foundation, the program aims not only to create short-term benefits but also to deliver lasting and sustainable impact. Through partnerships with universities, it strengthens academic institutions while establishing a meaningful bridge between education and industry.
The Formare educational model is structured as a comprehensive development program spanning four academic semesters, integrating technical education with personal development. The program offers a total of 528 hours of training, including 225 hours of technical education and 40 hours of personal development modules.
The program is carried out within partner companies, where employees also contribute as volunteer trainers and mentors.
Over the past 35 years, the Formare Program has positively impacted the lives of more than 26,000 young people worldwide.
