On the third day of the 10th Eurasian Higher Education Summit – EURIE 2025, EURAS April Executive Board Meeting was held in Istanbul under the presidency of EURAS President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın and with the participation of member universities. During the meeting, ongoing projects were evaluated, the status of existing collaborations was reviewed and ideas were discussed on strategic steps for the future. It was emphasized once again that EURAS will continue its journey of building a strong academic bridge from Eurasia to the world with the same dedication.
The closing session of EURIE 2025 brought together important actors of higher education. EURAS President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Postdam University Rector Prof. Dr. Florian Schweigert, Turkish-German University Consortium General Coordinator Prof. Dr. Ferit Küçükay and DAAD Secretary General Kai Sicks discussed the future of internationalization in higher education.
After the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Former President of TÜBİTAK and Rector of ITU, was presented with a special award in honor of EURIE’s 10th anniversary.
All academic stakeholders who contributed were thanked and wished to achieve many more successes together in this valuable platform that removes borders in education.
The Council of Higher Education of Republic of Türkiye (CoHE) Panel, which took place on the second day of the Eurasian Higher Education Summit – EURIE 2025, enlightened the present and future of higher education with the participation of experts in their fields.
The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Haldun Göktaş, Deputy President of YÖK, with the participation of EURAS President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın. CoHE Executive Board Member Prof. Dr. Naci Gündoğan, CoHE Member Prof. Dr. Derviş Karaboğa and CoHE International Relations Director Mustafa Efe took part in the panel with their speeches. The panel turned into a seminal meeting where knowledge and experiences were shared.
On the same day, a Türkiye-Malaysia Common Forum was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Haldun Göktaş, Deputy President of the Council of Higher Education of the Republic of Türkiye (CoHE), with the presence of Minister of Education Malaysia Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, and with the participation of rectors of Turkish universities. The forum drew attention as an important step towards strengthening the cooperation between the two countries in the field of education.
Within the scope of the summit, meetings with delegations from Brazil, Poland, Romania, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as officials from the German Education Agency DAAD, brought cooperation opportunities covering a wide range of topics from academic mobility to joint research projects, from student and academic exchange to workshops. These meetings also set the stage for the sharing of common values and global responsibilities.
Furthermore, the Eurasian Association of Universities (EURAS) Members Forum was also held with the participation of Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia. At the forum, important decisions were discussed in line with the goals of developing cooperation between universities in Eurasia and increasing the exchange of knowledge and experience.
All these events, hosted by Istanbul Aydın University, were one of the strong steps taken for a more fair and accessible academic world that goes beyond borders in higher education.
The Eurasia Higher Education Summit (EURIE), Türkiye’s international showcase in the field of higher education, has opened its doors for the 10th time in Istanbul between April 8-10, 2025. The summit, which brings together prestigious universities, academics and leading representatives of the higher education sector from all over the world every year, was held successfully and with great participation this year.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of EURAS and Istanbul Aydın University, made the opening speech at the summit and highlighted the competencies that will stand out in the business world of the future. Prof. Aydın pointed to the skills that are transforming in many areas from artificial intelligence and data expertise to critical thinking, emotional intelligence and technological literacy, and emphasized that these competencies will be crucial for global competitiveness.
EURIE 2025, where 320 institutions from 65 countries participated this year and 156 speakers shared knowledge and experience in 52 sessions, was not only a summit but also a strong sign of Türkiye’s leadership vision in international education diplomacy. Expressing his gratitude to all stakeholders who supported the summit, Prof. Dr. Aydın said, “This journey, which started with a big dream 10 years ago, has turned into a success written in golden letters in our higher education history.”
At the opening of the summit, President of the Council of Higher Education of Republic of Türkiye (CoHE) Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar made a speech and shared Türkiye’s internationalization goals in higher education. Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir also addressed the participants with a speech shedding light on the future of academic cooperation between countries. Dr. Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, and Martin Hope, Global Chair of the British Council, also made valuable contributions highlighting the power of international education to transform individuals and society.
EURIE Honorary Awards, specially given for the 10th anniversary of the Summit, were presented to Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, President of the Board of Directors of Turkish Airlines, Ivor Emmanuel, International Director of UC Berkeley University, and Prof. Dr. Florian Schweigert, Rector of Potsdam University, for their global vision, leadership and contributions to higher education.
Great Interest from Young People to Imagine Tomorrow Entrepreneurship and Innovation Event
The 8th Imagine Tomorrow Entrepreneurship and Innovation Event, organized simultaneously with EURIE 2025, attracted great interest. With the participation of 130 entrepreneurs and 58 stands, the creative ideas of young people and their courage to produce came to the front. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated that this event offered young entrepreneurs the opportunity to express themselves on an international platform and said, “These contributions to the entrepreneurship ecosystem are among the most valuable investments in the future of our country.”
Within the scope of the Summit, Mr. Davut Gül, Governor of Istanbul, Mr. Mustafa Gültepe, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Mr. Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Service Exporters Association and ITO, also contributed to EURIE 2025 with their support.
The summit, which was crowned with a gala dinner on the Bosphorus, turned into a multi-dimensional platform where friendships were strengthened and bridges of cooperation were built, not just an academic gathering.
EURIE 2025 is not just a Summit; it is Türkiye’s Strategic Walk in International Education
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated that they continue on their way with the same determination in their 10th year and said, “We are here to share knowledge without borders and to build a common academic future. Every year, we are walking forward together with a stronger and louder voice.”
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.”
