The March Executive Board meeting of the Eurasian Universities Association (EURAS) was held under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın. During the meeting, current developments in the field of higher education at regional and global level were comprehensively discussed. The decisions taken to strengthen interuniversity collaboration paved the way for further joint projects carried out between the members of the union.
The agenda of the meeting also included the preparations for the Eurasian Higher Education Summit – EURIE 2025, which will be held on April 8-10, 2025 at Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center. Academics, university administrators and education leaders from around the world are expected to attend this event, which is of great importance in line with the goal of internationalization in higher education.
The meeting was considered as an important step towards strengthening international academic collaborations and building a stronger academic future.
EURAS Board Member and President of AL-Mustagbal University Prof. Dr. Hasan Sharif Majdi visited EURAS Headquarters and Istanbul Aydın University.
During the visit, important meetings were held with EURAS & EURIE President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın and academic and administrative managers of Istanbul Aydın University. During the meetings, fruitful ideas were exchanged on future collaborations, joint projects and ongoing studies. It was emphasized that these meetings will further strengthen academic cooperation between universities. We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Hasan Sharif Majdi for his kind visit and contributions.
The February Executive Board meeting of the Eurasian Universities Association (EURAS) was held under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın. During the meeting, while the projects carried out with member universities were evaluated in detail, the steps to be taken to improve academic cooperation were discussed.
In addition, the preparation process for the 10th Eurasian Higher Education Summit (EURIE), which will be held on 8-10 April 2025 at Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center, was discussed. The strategic role of the summit in the international higher education world was emphasized and the opportunities it will offer for participating universities and academics were discussed.
EURAS President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated that EURAS continues its mission to create a stronger and more inclusive academic world by removing borders in education in line with the principle of “co-creation, walking together, moving towards the goal together”.
The January Board Meeting of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) was held under the presidency of EURAS President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın.
During the meeting, current developments in the field of higher education were evaluated and the strategic goals of the union for 2025 were discussed. The steps to be taken to strengthening regional academic collaborations, producing sustainable projects in education and creating globally competitive universities were planned in detail.
EURAS emphasized that it will continue to contribute to the world of education by increasing international academic cooperation and thanked all members who contributed to the meeting. The Union stated that it will continue its work with determination with the mission of building a stronger and sustainable academic future.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of Istanbul Aydın University, held an important meeting with educational consultancy firms on the third day of his visit to Azerbaijan. The meeting aimed to help Azerbaijani students receive international-standard education and connect them with established universities in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. During the discussions, concrete steps were taken with the goal of building an educational bridge between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the TRNC, increasing opportunities for young people to shape their futures, and strengthening educational cooperation between the countries.
Before the EURAS workshop, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın gave an interview to the Azerbaijani press. During the interview, he provided insights on the internationalization of higher education, research, quality management, and sustainable development goals. He emphasized that universities are no longer just institutions providing education but also centers for research and innovation, taking on global responsibilities. He stated that internationalization increases competition in higher education, while research and quality management support this process. He also highlighted the importance of incorporating sustainable development goals into universities’ strategic planning, as they are crucial for society and future generations. Prof. Dr. Aydın mentioned that the workshop would serve as a platform to bring together education leaders and contribute to the development of solution-oriented ideas.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS), met with global education leaders at the workshop titled “Internationalization, Research, and Quality Management in Global Universities: Strategic Approaches to Sustainable Development Goals” held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The workshop focused on internationalization processes, research-oriented approaches, and the impact of sustainable development in quality management. The event was regarded as an important platform that brought together the academic world around common goals and provided an opportunity for exchanging ideas.
Finally, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın visited the Turkey-Azerbaijan University and emphasized that this educational institution is a tangible reflection of the “one nation, two states” concept. He described the university as an entity that fulfills the shared dream of both nations and a home for youth centered on science and friendship. He expressed pride and happiness for this significant project, which carries the brotherly ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan into the future.
The December Board Meeting of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) was convened.
During the meeting, new projects aimed at further strengthening cooperation in the field of higher education were discussed, and strategic goals for the upcoming period were determined. A strong commitment was expressed to support universities in enhancing the quality of education, fostering internationalization, and advancing an innovation-driven vision.
At the conclusion of the meeting, EURAS President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın extended his gratitude to all participants for their contributions.
The EURAS General Assembly Meeting was held at Istanbul Aydın University (IAU). During the meeting, university rectors and representatives from different countries gathered to discuss global education strategies, inter-university collaborations, and future projects. Topics such as student exchange programs, joint research projects, and innovative education solutions were discussed, emphasizing the commitment to expanding academic networks and enhancing education quality. Following the meeting, a cooperation protocol was signed between Istanbul Aydın University and the Tajikistan International Tourism and Entrepreneurship University, a member of EURAS.
Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University Rector Prof. Dr. Cafer Caferov also participated in the EURAS General Assembly Meeting. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated, “We were very pleased to host them at our university on the occasion of the EURAS General Assembly Meeting. We had valuable discussions to strengthen our bilateral collaborations and develop joint projects in education. We thank the rector for this meaningful visit and hope that academic collaborations between our two countries will be further enhanced.”
A gala dinner event was held prior to the General Assembly Meeting with the members of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS).
During the event, discussions were held regarding future projects and collaborations. The focus was on creating more student and academic exchange programs between universities, developing joint research projects, and advancing digital transformation in education. Furthermore, there was an exchange of ideas on contributing to society through social responsibility projects and encouraging innovation within universities.
The August Board Meeting of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) was held. The meeting, chaired by EURAS President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, took significant decisions made on regional education strategies and inter-university collaboration. Subsequently, evaluations of ongoing projects and planning for future projects were conducted. There was also an exchange of ideas on the importance of sustaining contributions to the field of education.
On the fourth day of his visit to Azerbaijan, Istanbul Aydın University President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın participated in the “Seher’s Status” program on Space TV. During the program, they discussed the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan and the latest developments in education, sharing common visions and future perspectives. In this context, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın made the following remarks:
“Aiming for excellence in higher education, scientific research, and contributions to science, we visited Odlar Yurdu University, one of Azerbaijan’s leading universities internationally recognized. We had a productive meeting regarding educational collaborations with my dear friend, the Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmed Valiyev, and Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Samir Valiyev. We continue to take steps to further strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries. We extend our gratitude for their excellent hospitality. As Istanbul Aydın University, we have signed a comprehensive cooperation protocol with Azerbaijan Technical University, one of Azerbaijan’s leading universities. This partnership will open new horizons in education and research, contributing to mutual development through the sharing of knowledge and experience. We also thank Rector Prof. Dr. Vilayat Valiyev for his hospitality.”
Following the program, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın visited Odlar Yurdu University, one of Azerbaijan’s leading universities, where he had a meeting with the Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmed Valiyev and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Samir Valiyev to discuss educational collaborations and strengthening educational partnerships between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
A comprehensive cooperation protocol was signed between Azerbaijan Technical University, one of Azerbaijan’s leading universities, and Istanbul Aydın University. Expressing their aim to open new horizons in education and research fields and contribute to mutual development through knowledge and experience sharing, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, the President of IAÜ, thanked Prof. Dr. Vilayat Valiyav, the Rector of Azerbaijan Technical University, for their hospitality.
Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın visited Khazar University, a member of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS), and met with the students. In his speech during the meeting, he highlighted the following points:
“Today, we came together with Khazar University students to address an important topic on innovation and leadership in education. Education is the cornerstone of society and the shaper of the future. Therefore, it is extremely important for us to emphasize innovative thinking and leadership qualities in education. Innovation is an indispensable tool for transformation and progress in education. With the discovery of new technologies and pedagogical approaches, more effective and diversified methods can be developed in the education process. It is inevitable to use innovative applications to capture the interest of our students and make the learning process more effective. However, the effective implementation of innovation is closely related to leadership. Leadership in education relies on a visionary perspective, bold decision-making, and a collaborative approach. Good leaders share their vision, motivate people, and give them courage. However, it must be remembered that success is not only individual but also team-based. A good leader encourages teamwork, allows everyone to utilize their strengths, and unites differences. Leadership in education is the art of ensuring this unity. We wish all our principals success on their challenging journey as educators and leaders, and we thank Principal Gönül Tahmezova of 7th High School for their wonderful hospitality.”
On the final day of his Azerbaijan visit, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın took significant steps towards strengthening educational and academic collaborations, engaging in various meetings in this context.
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Istanbul Aydin University Chairman of the Board of Trustees / BIL Holding and BIL Education Institutions Chairman of the Board of Directors / Cyprus Science University Honorary President
