Istanbul Aydın University (IAU) President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın attended the “Islamic World Education and Science Organization” event held in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın made a speech on the importance of Arabic as a language at the event, which was attended by important names such as the Vice President of Mauritius, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Development and the Ambassadors of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Prof. Dr. Aydın, his speech followed with great interest, emphasized the role of Arabic in the world of education and science, and highlighted the need to strengthen academic cooperation in the Islamic world.
Within the scope of the event, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, representing Turkey’s power and academic studies in the field of global education, played an active role in the organization by continuing his contacts to increase international cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of Istanbul Aydın University (IAU), visited Superior University, one of the leading educational institutions of the country, during his visit to Pakistan.
During the visit, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın met with the founders of Superior University, Chaudhry Abdul Halik and Chaudhry Abdul Rahman and thanked them for their contributions to the development of the university. He also expressed his special thanks to Rector Prof. Dr. Sumeyra Rahman for her hospitality and considered the naming of the newly opened social complexes of the university after him as one of the most meaningful gifts in his life.
Within the scope of Pakistan visits, a cooperation protocol was signed between the Association of Private Universities of Pakistan and the Eurasian Universities Association at a meeting hosted by Lahore University. This important agreement aims to strengthen academic and scientific cooperation between the two countries.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın also met with the Rector of Lahore State University and the former Minister of Education during the visit and presented his gratitude for their support for the work carried out in the field of education.
President of Istanbul Aydın University (IAU) Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, together with President of Cyprus Ilim University Fatmanur Aydın, held significant meetings in Lahore, Pakistan.
The committee attended the wedding ceremony of Chaudhry Hamza Rehman, Global Growth Director and son of Prof. Dr. Chaudhry Abdul Rahman, President of the Board of Trustees of Superior University in Lahore. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, who went to Pakistan for the wedding, emphasized the extraordinary friendship that the brother country Pakistan has always shown to Turkey and made the following statements:
“For the wedding of my spiritual son Hamza, I went to Pakistan, a brotherly country that has shown its extraordinary friendship to Turkey in all its troubles. Hamza started a new life with a fabulous wedding. I would like to thank my brothers Abdul Halik and Abdul Rahman, who accepted me as their own brother, and the family that made us feel their sincerity and warmth.”
Leading academics, business people and politicians of Pakistan also attended the wedding ceremony. The contacts made during the visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
A Strategic Action Plan Workshop was held under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of the Küçükçekmece City Council. The workshop focused on identifying solutions to meet the needs of the local community and making significant decisions that shape the future vision for the region.
During the meeting, a roadmap for achieving sustainable development goals was outlined, with priority given to projects that will enhance the well-being of society. The importance of working together was emphasized, and it was stated that all responsibilities related to the development of Küçükçekmece would be carried out diligently.
At the conclusion of the workshop, all participants who contributed to the session were thanked, and the decisions made were highlighted as an important step for the future of the region.
Istanbul Aydın University President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın participated the TOBB Higher Education Council Consultation Meeting hosted by Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Higher Education Council (YÖK). The meeting comprehensively discussed the future of the Turkish higher education system and the roles of foundation higher education institutions in this future.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar highlighted that the high increases in tuition fees could negatively impact the sustainability of education and the reliability of institutions. He emphasized that ensuring students are not harmed should be the top priority and stated that they expected foundation universities to continue their efforts to increase international student numbers. Özvar also noted the importance of showing the same level of sensitivity to international students as is shown to Turkish students and emphasized that developments that could harm the international reputation of the higher education system would be addressed with care.
Prof. Dr. Özvar further stated that programs that do not offer adequate opportunities in the labor market for graduates will not be allowed, and new programs that meet the expectations of the business world and the private sector should replace them. He mentioned that programs whose importance has diminished due to emerging technologies will also undergo transformation in foundation universities, with the quotas for programs with reduced relevance to employment gradually being decreased, and second-degree programs being entirely removed.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of Istanbul Aydın University, emphasized the importance of the meeting, where higher education issues and solutions were discussed. Prof. Dr. Aydın thanked YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar for his solution-oriented approach.
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.
Istanbul Aydın University President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın visited Prof. Dr. Vilayet Valiyev, Rector of Azerbaijan Technical University and Turkey Azerbaijan University. The meeting focused on opportunities to strengthen cooperation in education and research. Joint projects and student exchange programs between the universities were discussed in detail. Additionally, ideas were exchanged on new steps that could contribute to the Turkic World and regional collaborations.
During the visit, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın participated in the VI. International Turkish World Science and Engineering Congress, organized by Azerbaijan Technical University. He emphasized the importance of the congress in strengthening scientific collaborations and sharing innovative solutions in the field of engineering. Prof. Dr. Aydın thanked Prof. Dr. Vilayet Valiyev and his team for their hospitality.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın then met with Rector Prof. Dr. Cafer Caferov and EURAS Board Members at the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University. The discussions focused on enhancing collaborations between the two universities, increasing student and academic staff exchange programs, and creating projects focused on digitalization in education. Following the meeting, a conference titled “Innovative Leadership in Education: Building the Education System of the Future” was held. The conference discussed how transformation in education can be achieved not only through technological innovations but also through visionary leadership. The speeches emphasized that the concept of innovative leadership is the cornerstone of a student-centered education system, allowing students to develop their individual abilities. The conference also addressed the opportunities offered by digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies, stressing that with proper management of these processes, a more efficient and accessible education system could be established. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın expressed his thanks to Prof. Dr. Cafer Caferov and Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University for their hospitality and contributions.
At the end of the busy second day, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın met with the Azerbaijan Educational Consultancy Companies Association (ASAAC) in a meeting. The discussion focused on facilitating Azerbaijani students’ access to educational opportunities abroad, particularly directing them to higher education institutions in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The meeting also highlighted joint projects aimed at providing quality education to students, enhancing academic cooperation, and strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
These meetings were seen as an important step toward deepening international collaborations in the field of education and offering new opportunities for students.
The Aydın Policies Platform December meeting hosted by Istanbul Aydın University, was chaired by Presindent Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın. The meeting featured Prof. Dr. Hızır Tarık Oğuzlu, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and a renowned expert in international relations, who contributed valuable insights to the discussion.
During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Oğuzlu provided an in-depth analysis of the dynamics of global politics and the latest developments in international relations. The meeting particularly focused on recent events in Syria, where Turkey’s role and significance in the ongoing situation were thoroughly examined. The discussions, enriched by the contributions and comments of participants, facilitated an exchange of ideas on regional and global politics. At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Dr. Hızır Tarık Oğuzlu was thanked for sharing his valuable knowledge and perspectives, and appreciation was expressed to all participants for their contributions.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Aydın University, visited Prof. Dr. Ahmed Valiyev, the Founding Rector of Odlar Yurdu University, as part of his Azerbaijan visit. The meeting focused on strengthening educational collaborations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, resulting in a highly productive discussion. Both parties emphasized their commitment to further strengthening educational ties. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın expressed his gratitude to Prof. Dr. Ahmed Valiyev and his team for their hospitality.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın also held a meeting with the Azerbaijani alumni of IAU. Witnessing the international success of IAU alumni, Prof. Dr. Aydın felt proud to see the university family growing once again. During the meeting, alumni congratulated the new board of the alumni association and extended their best wishes. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Aydın thanked the previous board members for their contributions and reaffirmed the determination to pursue greater goals together with the graduates of Istanbul Aydın University.
The General Assembly meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Committee of Local and Regional Authorities for Cooperation (COPPEM) was held online. The main theme of the meeting was to develop innovative strategies within the framework of regional cooperation and sustainable development, and to implement projects in this regard.
Participants discussed common challenges faced by local governments and shared solutions in critical areas such as climate change, migration, economic development, and cultural interaction. Successful projects implemented in 2024 were evaluated, while a stronger commitment to cooperation was expressed in order to achieve peace, stability, and sustainable development goals for 2025.
The meeting emphasized once again the necessity for local governments to work in solidarity to enhance social welfare. A collective will was demonstrated to support innovative projects and increase knowledge sharing in the Europe–Mediterranean region. The meeting reaffirmed the determination to strengthen cooperation for a more sustainable, strong, and prosperous future.
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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
