February meeting of Istanbul Aydın University Aydın Policies Platform was held. The meeting, which was attended by Firuz Bağlıkaya, President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) and Oya Narin, President of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD), discussed critical issues such as the future of tourism in Turkey, sustainable tourism investments, the transformation of the sector after the pandemic and the effects of digitalization on tourism. Solution proposals and strategies for the development of the sector were discussed in detail and issues such as sustainable growth, increasing global competitiveness and encouraging innovation-oriented investments were discussed.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of Istanbul Aydın University, stated that the meeting provided important conclusions for the sustainable growth of tourism in Turkey and thanked the guests for their precious contributions.
February Board of Directors meeting of the Service Exporters’ Association (HİB) was held. At the meeting, global developments in the service export sector were evaluated in detail, while strategies to increase Turkey’s competitiveness in the international market were discussed.
At the meeting, where the activities carried out to strengthen Turkey’s service exports in many fields, especially education, health, tourism and logistics, were evaluated, new collaborations and projects to support sectoral growth were discussed.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, Vice President of HİB, emphasized the importance of such consultations in order to maximize Turkey’s potential in service exports and stated that efforts will continue with commitment for a stronger and sustainable growth in the global arena.
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”.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın attended the reception hosted by Mr. Ahmad Mohammadi, Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Istanbul, on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Iranian National Day. During the reception, views were exchanged on strengthening the deep-rooted ties of friendship and cooperation between Turkey and Iran.
Emphasizing that Turkey and Iran have shared a common culture and civilization throughout history, the two countries expressed their belief that they will carry their relations forward in a way that will contribute to regional peace and stability. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın wished the friendly and brotherly Iranian people a future full of peace, happiness and success on the occasion of this meaningful day and thanked Consul General Mr. Ahmad Mohammadi for their kind invitation and welcoming hospitality.
Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) Board Member Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın visited Mahsun Altunkaya, President of Altunkaya Holding and Halit Acar, Board Member of Acarsan Holding, in their offices. During the meeting, current developments in the business world, economic dynamics on a global scale, investment opportunities, current developments in export and industrial sectors were discussed, and evaluations were made on strategies to increase sustainable growth and international competitiveness in the business world. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın thanked them for their kind and sincere hospitality.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın visited his student, Lysandra Carpet Board Member Abbas Uğur and his family during his visit to Gaziantep. At the end of the visit, where the past was remembered and long conversations were held, Prof. Dr. Aydın thanked Uğur and his family for their kind hosting and wished Abbas Uğur success.
Gaziantep Nurdağı Hisar Village School Library, established in cooperation with Istanbul Aydın University and Anatolian Education and Culture Foundation (AKEV), was opened by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of Istanbul Aydın University and President of AKEV Board of Trustees, Mümine Elif Aydın, Vice President of AKEV Board of Directors, and Nurdağı District Governor Nurullah Cemil Erciyas.
Prof. Dr. Aydın, who was in the region within the scope of the two-week-long “Mathematics and Education Festival” held at IAU Nurdağı Education and Life Campus, thanked Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, Nurdağı District Governor Nurullah Cemil Erciyas, all academicians and students who contributed.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın visited IAU Nurdağı Education and Life Campus, which was established in Nurdağı district of Gaziantep after the February 6 earthquake. Making statements here, Aydın said, “IAU Nurdağı Education and Life Campus, established in the Nurdağı district of Gaziantep, has become not only an education area for the citizens affected by the February 6 earthquakes, but also a symbol of rising up again, growing hope and solidarity.”
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın stated that Istanbul Aydın University has once again shown the transformative power of education with the work carried out at the Nurdağı Campus and that they offer children and young people affected by the earthquake the opportunity to build a strong future. Aydın said, “The ‘Mathematics and Education Festival’, which will last for two weeks and organized with the contributions of academics and students, has been implemented in order to make the people of the region feel the healing power of science and learning.” He used his expressions.
Expressing that they act with the understanding that healing the wounds of the earthquake is possible not only by rebuilding physical structures, but also by empowering individuals with education, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın underlined that Istanbul Aydın University is working hard to make education accessible and sustainable in Nurdağı.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın said, “The Anatolian Education and Culture Foundation (AKEV) has also established science laboratories, kindergarten classrooms, music workshops, libraries, sewing-embroidery workshops and computer workshops to strengthen the educational infrastructure in the region. In addition, support was provided for battery-powered chairs to support the participation of disabled individuals in society. These projects will contribute to the stronger inclusion of earthquake-affected individuals in both academic and social life.”
Franchise Istanbul Expo, organized in cooperation with TÜYAP, was held at TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center as the 33rd organization of UFRAD Franchising Association. Investors and franchise associations from more than 60 countries, especially Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, showed great interest in the fair.
The opening speech was given by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of UFRAD, and it was emphasized that a strong ecosystem is being built that plays an important role in opening Turkey and its brands to the world markets. It was also stated that the franchising sector is a dynamic structure that not only grows companies but also strengthens the national economy and creates employment.
It was emphasized that the franchise sector has reached a size of 55 billion dollars and this figure is expected to exceed 70 billion dollars by 2025. While it was stated that the number of chain businesses in Turkey exceeded 3,700 and the number of branches linked to these businesses exceeded 66,000, it was pointed out that the number of Turkish brands operating abroad exceeded 400. It was highlighted that this data revealed the competitiveness of brands in international markets and Turkey’s role in global trade.
It was stated that Franchise Istanbul Expo is not only a fair, but also a transformation point for the sector. Within the scope of the organization, new investment opportunities, establishing international partnerships and strengthening Turkey’s entrepreneurship ecosystem were emphasized.
It was emphasized that in order for Turkish brands to remain strong in the global competitive environment, it has become inevitable to adopt a global perspective instead of thinking locally. It was stated that every brand should aim to open up to international markets and develop strategies to increase its competitiveness.
Since 1991, UFRAD Franchising Association, which has been working for the development of the franchise system, will continue to guide the sector with more than 200 members and these efforts to strengthen the franchising ecosystem will make significant contributions to Turkey’s economic growth and global success in the field of entrepreneurship.
The Turkish Exporters Assembly held a meeting in Trabzon with the participation of Trade Minister Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat to announce the January 2025 export numbers. At the meeting, it was emphasized that export numbers are increasing day by day compared to the previous year.
In particular, it was stated that export of services, which plays a critical role in closing the current account deficit, broke record after record, and that this success was possible thanks to the contributions of HIB members. While the results obtained at the meeting were welcomed, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın wished that the success achieved would be beneficial for our country and the sector.
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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
