- Representatives of 73 universities from 41 countries across four continents gather in Türkiye for the First Consultation Meeting of Rectors of Islamic Universities.

- Özvar: "The time has come to establish an Alliance of Islamic Universities."

- "Together, we can build a new academic future based on a shared vision."

- "We will enable physicians from Gaza to pursue specialist training in Türkiye."

June 26, 2026

President of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) Erol Özvar called for the establishment of an Alliance of Islamic Universities, built upon a shared vision and a framework of institutional governance, during the First Consultation Meeting of Rectors of Islamic Universities, hosted by Türkiye.

Speaking at the meeting, organized by Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University at the Şahinbey Congress and Arts Center, Özvar presented a comprehensive vision aimed at advancing higher education cooperation across the Islamic world.

Addressing representatives from 73 universities in 41 countries across four continents, Özvar outlined a shared vision for the future of higher education, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in areas including joint research networks, academic mobility, artificial intelligence, sustainability, the reconstruction of Gaza, and science diplomacy.

Stressing that cooperation among universities in the Islamic world should move beyond temporary initiatives, Özvar called for the establishment of an Alliance of Islamic Universities founded on a common vision and strong institutional governance.

He stated that the alliance would provide a broad framework for cooperation encompassing joint degree programs, research consortia, academic and student mobility, and shared quality assurance mechanisms. According to Özvar, such a structure would significantly strengthen the scientific productivity and global competitiveness of the Islamic world. "Today, we have greater opportunities than at any other point in history. What we truly need is a shared determination and the ability to unite around a long-term common vision," he said.

- "Let Us Rebuild Our Shared Civilizational Vision"

Highlighting the evolving role of universities, Özvar said higher education institutions are no longer merely places of education but have become strategic actors that shape societies, drive scientific progress, and develop solutions to humanity's common challenges.

He emphasized that the Islamic world's young population, rich scientific heritage, and talented human capital should be mobilized around common goals, adding that the meeting represented not only an academic gathering but also a strategic opportunity to rebuild a shared civilizational vision.

- A Call for Academic Solidarity with Gaza

Describing the destruction in Gaza as not only a humanitarian tragedy but also an academic catastrophe, Özvar said that targeting schools, laboratories, and universities also meant targeting the future.

Announcing a new initiative for physicians from Gaza, he stated: "In the coming days, you will all hear the good news. We will enable physicians residing in Gaza to pursue specialist medical training in Türkiye. Upon the instruction of our President, Gazan physicians will receive residency training at university hospitals across Türkiye."

Özvar also called for a strong network of solidarity among universities, proposing joint scholarship programs for Palestinian students, expanded research opportunities for academics, the development of distance learning infrastructure, and collaborative efforts to help rebuild higher education institutions in Gaza.

- Joint Action on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation

Özvar noted that artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technologies are fundamentally transforming higher education and stressed that future competition will not be limited to countries that use artificial intelligence but will increasingly depend on those capable of developing it.

He called on universities across the Islamic world to establish joint research centers, create data-sharing networks, and develop joint doctoral programs. He also underlined the importance of ensuring that technological advances are guided by ethical principles.

- "Sustainability Must Be a Shared Priority"

Özvar emphasized that science diplomacy is becoming an increasingly powerful instrument in international relations and stated that lasting cooperation among universities could be strengthened through joint research projects, joint degree programs, research funding, and academic mobility.

He affirmed that Turkish universities are ready to participate in collaborative research initiatives and noted that establishing research networks throughout the Islamic world would accelerate scientific knowledge production while enhancing universities' international visibility.

Addressing climate change and the green transition, Özvar highlighted that COP31, to be hosted by Türkiye, would offer important opportunities to strengthen cooperation among universities in sustainability. He encouraged Islamic universities to conduct joint research on climate change, zero waste, the green transition, and sustainable development, emphasizing that such cooperation would generate value not only for member countries but for humanity as a whole.

- Six Priorities

Özvar stated that the meeting focused on six strategic priorities to strengthen cooperation in higher education: establishing a common framework for diploma recognition and academic accreditation, creating international research collaboration networks, developing joint scholarship and educational programs, sharing digital infrastructure, establishing common quality assurance standards, and transforming the consultation process into a permanent institutional platform.

Concluding his address, Özvar emphasized the immense scientific potential of the Islamic world and expressed confidence that closer cooperation could usher in a new era for higher education. "The partnership we establish today will leave future generations a lasting legacy of academic cooperation," he said.

- "Our Mission Is to Reunite Science with Ethics and Wisdom"

Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Şehmus Demir, Rector of Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University, said that today's greatest challenge is not merely producing knowledge, but ensuring that knowledge serves the right purposes. Calling for lasting academic cooperation among universities across the Islamic world, Demir proposed developing joint research programs in strategic fields that will shape the future, including cybersecurity, space technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy, and food security.