- Joining Forces in Higher Education: An Academic Partnership Bridging Istanbul and Bitlis

- The two universities will cooperate in education, research and academic exchange, with a particular focus on supporting the Faculty of Medicine at Bitlis Eren University

- CoHE President Özvar: “The active movement of academic staff, like bees, is indispensable to our country’s development”

- “We do not want our universities to be uniform. We expect them to specialize in the fields in which they excel.”

- “I hope this academic partnership between Istanbul and Bitlis will create new opportunities for our faculty members and students and develop into lasting scientific collaborations over time.”

October 14, 2026

Koç University and Bitlis Eren University signed a Sister University Program Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in education, research and academic activities.

The memorandum was signed by Koç University Rector Prof. Metin Sitti and Bitlis Eren University Rector Prof. Necmettin Elmastaş at a ceremony held in Istanbul with the participation of CoHE President Erol Özvar. It provides for short-term student and academic staff exchanges, joint research projects, training to support the professional development of academic staff, and cooperation in cultural, artistic and sporting activities.

The partnership also aims to strengthen the educational and research capacity of the Faculty of Medicine at Bitlis Eren University by drawing on Koç University’s academic expertise.

“We Want Our Universities to Build on Their Strengths”

Speaking at the ceremony, CoHE President Erol Özvar stated that sharing knowledge, experience and resources between state and foundation universities would make a significant contribution to the higher education system. “We do not want our universities to be uniform or all alike. Beyond providing high-quality education and training, we expect each university to specialize in certain fields,” Özvar said.

Emphasizing the importance of universities developing expertise in their areas of strength and contributing to regional development, Özvar noted that universities with different institutional structures could benefit from one another’s resources and help spread successful practices.

Bitlis Eren University Adds Value to Its Region and Turkish Higher Education

Özvar stated that Bitlis Eren University had made significant progress since its establishment, becoming an institution that adds value to both its region and Turkish higher education. He said CoHE expected the university to further strengthen its educational and research capacity and make an even greater contribution to the development of Bitlis and the surrounding region. He added that the sister-university partnership with Koç University would support this progress.

Praise for Koç University: Ranked First in Research Performance

Recalling that Koç University ranked first in CoHE’s 2026 Research Universities Performance Monitoring Index, Özvar noted that the university ranked 329th in the 2027 QS World University Rankings and was placed in the 326–350 band in the Times Higher Education rankings. He congratulated the university’s leadership and academic staff on these achievements.

Özvar stated that Koç University should aim first to enter the world’s top 200 universities and subsequently the top 100. He added that the university had the academic expertise and research infrastructure needed to achieve these goals.

“The Movement of Academic Staff, Like Bees, Is Indispensable to Our Country’s Development”

Highlighting the importance of academic staff mobility between universities, Özvar said that sharing knowledge and experience across institutions was essential to Türkiye’s development.

“Work conducted solely in Istanbul, solely on campus or solely behind closed doors is not enough. Academic staff must move like bees, carrying the pollen of knowledge in their minds and hands and sharing it with other universities. This is indispensable to our country’s development. For this reason, we will be following Koç University closely,” he said.

Support for the Faculty of Medicine and Joint Scientific Projects

Özvar emphasized the importance of strengthening the academic capacity of Bitlis Eren University’s Faculty of Medicine through educational support, research collaboration and scientific consultancy from Koç University faculty members. He added that mutual access to research infrastructure would benefit both institutions.

He also expressed his expectation that the universities would develop joint projects for TÜBİTAK, European Union and other funding programs, increase academic publications, and expand technology transfer and R&D activities.

Appreciation for Eren Holding and the Koç Family’s Contributions to Education

Özvar expressed his appreciation for Eren Holding’s support for the development of Bitlis Eren University and its role in facilitating cooperation between the two universities. He thanked the Eren family and the holding’s management.

He also acknowledged the contributions of Koç Group and the Koç family to education, noting that the tradition of serving society through education, pioneered by the late Vehbi Koç, had gained broad social impact through universities, scholarships and various support programs.

Koç University Rector Sitti: “Working Together Enables Us to Expand Our Social Impact”

Koç University Rector Prof. Metin Sitti stated that innovation, research and the social and economic impact of universities were becoming increasingly important, with inter-university cooperation playing a key role in this process.

Sitti said Koç University was committed to sharing its strong research infrastructure, academic experience and educational expertise with Bitlis Eren University. He emphasized the importance of the two institutions learning from one another and producing knowledge together. “We are taking the first step toward a meaningful partnership that brings together two universities from different parts of Türkiye around a common purpose. I believe one of the approaches most needed in higher education is for our universities to make greater use of one another’s knowledge, experience and strengths. Knowledge grows when it is shared. By working together, we not only enhance the capabilities of our own institutions but also expand the social impact we can achieve,” he said.

Sitti also highlighted the importance of turning the contributions of Ahmet Eren, Honorary Chairman of Eren Holding, to both universities into institutional cooperation. “Two universities supported in different ways by Mr. Ahmet Eren are now bringing together their own knowledge, experience and resources. In this way, these valuable investments in education, which began with individual contributions, are evolving into institutional cooperation and generating a broader social impact,” he said.

Bitlis Eren University Rector Elmastaş: “We Want to Turn the Protocol into Tangible Results”

Bitlis Eren University Rector Prof. Necmettin Elmastaş stated that the agreement marked an important step in cooperation with Koç University. He said the university particularly wanted to draw on Koç University’s academic expertise to develop its Faculty of Medicine and help meet the healthcare needs of the region.

Elmastaş stressed the importance of exploring opportunities to provide physician support in specialties where it was needed. “Our aim is not to let the signed protocol remain merely a declaration of goodwill, but to turn it into a sustainable partnership that generates mutual benefits and delivers tangible results,” he said.

Eren Holding Honorary Chairman Ahmet Eren: “The Two Universities Will Work Hand in Hand to Serve the Country”

Ahmet Eren, Honorary Chairman of Eren Holding, stated that Bitlis was one of Türkiye’s economically disadvantaged provinces and emphasized the importance of investing in the city.

He said they regarded Koç Group as a role model in industry and commerce and noted that Koç University had also achieved a high level of academic success. Eren added that the two universities would serve Türkiye through their joint efforts.

The ceremony, held at Divan Kuruçeşme in Istanbul, was attended by CoHE President Erol Özvar; Rahmi M. Koç, Honorary Chairman of Koç Holding and Honorary Chair of the Board of Trustees of Koç University; Ahmet Eren, Honorary Chairman of Eren Holding; Koç University Rector Prof. Metin Sitti; Bitlis Eren University Rector Prof. Necmettin Elmastaş; representatives of the Koç and Eren families; and university administrators.

The ceremony concluded with a group photograph following the signing of the memorandum.