Mehmet Akif Nacar is an academic and technology manager who has conducted academic research in computer engineering in Türkiye, with a focus on high-performance computing, grid computing, and cloud computing. In addition to his academic career, he has held senior management positions at HAVELSAN, a national technology company, and has participated in industry-university collaboration projects.

Mehmet Akif Nacar began his academic journey in the Department of Computer Engineering at Trakya University, completing his undergraduate studies in 1995. Following his undergraduate education, he pursued graduate studies in the Department of Electronic-Computer Education at Gazi University to enhance his expertise in information technologies. In 1998, he earned his master’s degree and then traveled to the United States to expand his international knowledge, completing a second master’s degree in Computer Science at Syracuse University.

He pursued his doctoral studies in Computer Science at Indiana University, earning his PhD in 2008, after which he decided to continue his academic career in Türkiye. His doctoral thesis and subsequent research have focused on high-performance computing (HPC), grid computing, and cloud computing technologies.

After completing his PhD, Nacar began his academic career at Harran University and quickly assumed various administrative roles. From 2008 to 2019, he served as Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Between 2010 and 2011, he led the Department of Industrial Engineering, and from 2011 to 2014, he headed the Department of Computer Engineering. During this period, he made strategic decisions aimed at enhancing the academic development and educational quality of these departments.

Nacar served as Director of the Information Processing Research and Application Center (2009–2013) and later as Director of the Information Technology Application and Research Center (2013–2016) at Harran University. Within these centers, he organized regional and national technology development and research activities under projects supported by TÜBİTAK, the Ministry of Development, and the GAP Regional Development Administration.

In 2017, Nacar was appointed Deputy General Manager for Education and Simulation Technologies at HAVELSAN, where he played a key role in managing R&D projects. He also assumed the chairmanship of the Board of Directors of EHSİM, a subsidiary of HAVELSAN, where he facilitated the development of innovative solutions in the fields of educational technologies and simulation.

Nacar has continued to serve on the Board of Directors of Quantum3D, a U.S.-based technology company owned by HAVELSAN, and has held the position of Chairman of the Board since 2020. He has also served on the Board of Directors and as Deputy Chairman of Cornea Aviation Systems Industry and Trade Inc.

Mehmet Akif Nacar has led the effective implementation of the university-industry collaboration model in academic and industrial projects. He was a founding member of Şanlıurfa Technopark and, as a member of its Board of Directors, contributed to strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem. He served as a member of the KOSGEB R&D Council and as the Provincial Representative of the Ministry of Industry and Technology for Public-University-Industry Collaboration (KÜSİ), actively participating in the development of innovation support mechanisms at local and national levels. He worked as the university representative for the Turkish Patent Institute on intellectual property projects, providing guidance to academics on commercializing patents and innovative initiatives.

Nacar has served as a reviewer, monitor, and panelist in TÜBİTAK’s TEYDEB and KAMAG programs. He has also been a member of TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM’s TRUBA and TEYDEB Cloud Computing Advisory Board.

Mehmet Akif Nacar possesses advanced proficiency in English. He is married and a father of three children.