The opening ceremony of the General Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED) was held at Istanbul Aydın University (IAÜ), with 200 members from 25 countries attending.

The event was graced by the presence of Deputy President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Haldun Göktaş, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey Gökhan Yazgı, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of IAÜ and Board Member of UNIMED, UNIMED President Prof. Khereih Rassas, UNIMED Secretary General Hmaid Ben Aziza, Deputy Secretary General of Union for the Mediterranean Joan Borrell, and UNIMED Director Marcello Scalisi.

The ceremony began with opening speeches. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın emphasized in his speech, “In this platform, where we have come together to enhance scientific, cultural, and academic collaborations in the Mediterranean Region, we are taking important steps for the future of our region. As Istanbul Aydın University, we are proud to be a part of UNIMED for 17 years. I believe we will achieve even greater successes together.”

UNIMED President Prof. Khereih Rassas highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the importance of education as one of humanity’s strongest tools, particularly in these challenging times when access to education in Gaza has become increasingly difficult. He underscored the importance of solidarity among academics.

Prof. Dr. Haldun Göktaş, Deputy President of YÖK, spoke about Turkey’s significant international projects in higher education and the responsibility of universities in nurturing future leaders through knowledge sharing. He noted that universities should not only focus on scientific achievements but also work toward human rights, peace, and sustainable development. He stressed the importance of training students to be individuals capable of solving global challenges.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı, during the ceremony, highlighted the significance of Arslantepe Mound being included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. He then presented a plaque to Prof. Dr. Francesca Balossi Restelli, the head of the Arslantepe Mound Excavation, for her dedicated efforts in preserving and promoting historical heritage.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın concluded by expressing his heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the event. He emphasized the importance of strengthening collaborations in the field of education to provide a better future for the youth, who are the guarantee of tomorrow. “Education is the most powerful tool for transforming societies. Therefore, under the UNIMED umbrella, enhancing our international cooperation, sharing experiences, and developing new projects are of great importance. Together, we will continue our struggle for a brighter future,” he said.