The 10th EURIE Eurasia Higher Education Summit, organized by the Eurasian Universities Union, commenced at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center. Bringing together universities, academics, and Industry representetiv from around the world, the summit hosted over 2,000 participant from 65 countries.
The opening ceremony of the program was attended by Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education; Davut Gül, Governor of Istanbul; Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia; Dr. Fanta Aw, CEO of the North American Association of International Educators (NAFSA); Martin Hope, Global Director of the British Council; Şekib Avdagiç, Chairman of the Service Exporters Association and the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce; and Mustafa Gültepe, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly.
Özvar: Universities Must Engage in International Collaboration
Speaking at the opening of the summit, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, stated that EURIE has become a vital platform not only at the regional level but also on a global scale for fostering dialogue, partnerships, and sustainable relations among higher education institutions. Emphasizing that education builds strong bridges between countries, Prof. Özvar remarked:
"Today, universities are no longer confined to delivering academic knowledge alone—they are increasingly confronted with expanded roles and responsibilities, including digital transformation and international collaboration."
IZU Took Its Place at the Summit
Representing Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, the Office of International Students and Relations participated in the summit, where participants exchanged insights on current developments in the field of international higher education. On behalf of our university, meetings were held with institutions from various countries to explore opportunities for academic collaboration and student exchange programs.