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.”
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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
