October 11, 2025

President of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) Prof. Erol Özvar visited Tunisia on October 10–11 to attend the 5th Turkish-Arab University Presidents’ Forum and to hold various official meetings.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, which was jointly organized by the CoHE, the Association of Arab Universities, and the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) and hosted by the University of Tunis El Manar, Özvar stated that they had gathered to exchange ideas on higher education and to discuss common issues in the global higher education landscape.

Highlighting that the forum provides a unique platform for shaping innovative partnership models, Özvar emphasized that common challenges can be addressed through mutual understanding and cooperation. He added that for this reason, the Turkish delegation participated in the event with a large academic team.

Expressing his belief that the ideas and perspectives presented in the forum panels would provide valuable input for future work, Özvar said, “The Turkish-Arab University Presidents’ Forum reflects the great potential within our academic communities. The networks we have established and will continue to establish will help us activate this potential. In this regard, we attach great importance to the development of concrete and joint research projects among our universities.”

“We desire our region to become a zone of peace. In this respect, our universities have great responsibilities. Future generations will likely receive their final education before entering professional life at our universities. Therefore, our universities play a crucial role in ensuring peace and sustainability in our region, and in raising young generations with a sense of responsibility and an awareness of history,” he stated.

At the opening ceremony, speeches were also delivered by Tunisian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Mondher Belaid, Ambassador of Türkiye to Tunisia Ahmet Misbah Demircan, President of the Arab Council for Scientific Research Abdelmajid Ben Amara, President of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) Mustafa Aydın, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities Amr Ezzat Salama, and Rector of the University of Tunis El Manar Moez Chafra.

– Turkish university presidents took part as moderators and speakers in the forum panels –

At the forum, panels included:

“Leadership, Governance and Strategic Partnerships” moderated by Kütahya Dumlupınar University Rector Prof. Süleyman Kızıltoprak, with Çankırı Karatekin University Rector Prof. Mevlüt Karakaş and Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University Rector Prof. Şehmus Demir as speakers;

“Internationalization, Reputation and Global Engagement” featuring Turkish Aeronautical Association University Rector Prof. Rahmi Er and Istanbul Nişantaşı University Rector Prof. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu;

“Digital Future, Smart Universities & Innovation Ecosystems” with Gebze Technical University Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar and Fırat University Rector Prof. Fahrettin Göktaş as speakers;

“Green Universities and Sustainability Leadership” moderated by Düzce University Rector Prof. Nedim Sözbir, with Bahçeşehir University Rector Prof. Esra Hatipoğlu and Kayseri University Rector Prof. Kurtuluş Karamustafa as speakers.

The forum concluded with a session titled “Arab-Turkish Academic Cooperation: Building a Common Vision for Regional Excellence.”

– Meeting with the Tunisian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research –

CoHE President Prof. Erol Özvar met with Tunisian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Mondher Belaid.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation between Turkish and Tunisian universities, particularly in developing joint research projects and strengthening student and faculty exchange programs.

Within the scope of his visit, Özvar also paid a visit to the Turkish Embassy in Tunis and met with Ambassador Ahmet Misbah Demircan and embassy staff.

Özvar was accompanied on his visit by CoHE Deputy President Prof. Naci Gündoğan, CoHE Executive Board Member Prof. Mahmut Ak, and several university rectors.