10th Eurasia International Higher Education Summit Starts
April 8, 2025 Istanbul
CoHE President Erol Özvar attended the 10th Eurasian Higher Education
Summit 2025 (EURIE) organized by the Eurasian Universities Association
(EURAS) in Istanbul this year.
CoHE President Özvar and Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Dr. Zambry
Abd Kadir made the opening speeches of the summit.
Özvar started his speech by addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in
Gaza. Emphasizing that educational institutions have been targeted, tens of
thousands of people have lost their lives and millions of people have been
deprived of basic rights. He said, "We call on the international higher
education community to openly defend academic freedom and human rights, and
demand an immediate cessation of violence and the restoration of the
dignity and educational rights of the people of Gaza."
Özvar also reacted to the crackdown on Gaza-supporting academics and
students at some universities in the US and Europe, saying, “Recent
disturbing examples, such as the mistreatment of Professor Cemal Kafadar at
Harvard University and Rümeysa Öztürk at Tufts University, demonstrate the
alarming erosion of academic freedom. Türkiye stands in solidarity with all
victims of oppression and injustice, and actively supports Palestinian
students and academics affected by these persecutions".
Stating that education builds strong bridges that connect countries in the
modern world, Özvar said that EURIE is an exceptional platform for global
dialogue and cooperation and that the summit will discuss how institutions
can make their relations in the field of higher education stronger and more
sustainable. He stated that higher education is experiencing significant
transformations driven by developing technologies, changing social
expectations and economic realities.
Stating that one of the strategic goals defined in the Strategic Plan of
the Council of Higher Education for 2024-2028 is internationalization,
Özvar emphasized that the essence of this goal is to position Turkish
higher education as one of the focal points of regional and global academic
and educational mobility.
Özvar said that Türkiye's commitment to quality assurance, accreditation
and active participation in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by
taking advantage of its strategic geographical position bridging Europe and
Asia has gained international recognition and appreciation, especially in
the Bologna Process evaluations.
Özvar said, “At the European Higher Education Area Ministerial Conference
held in Tirana last year, it was agreed to establish a long-term
secretariat for the EHEA in 2027. Istanbul is among the candidate cities
proposed to host this secretariat. I strongly believe that Istanbul is the
most suitable city for this task and we are currently preparing a
comprehensive dossier for the evaluation process. We will continue to
actively contribute to the EHEA in the coming period.”
Özvar said that Türkiye-Azerbaijan University in Baku, the capital of
Azerbaijan, has set an important precedent for innovative approaches and
future international educational partnerships by functioning as an
“umbrella university” that incorporates well-known programs of Türkiye's
leading universities such as Middle East Technical University, Istanbul
Technical University and Hacettepe University.
Özvar emphasized that artificial intelligence is no longer just a
technological tool but a fundamental component that is reshaping teaching
methodology, research activities and institutional management. “Recognizing
the transformative potential of AI and digital technologies, Türkiye has
strategically prioritized investments and initiatives in these areas. The
Council of Higher Education has proactively opened over 70 new
undergraduate and associate degree programs at 20 universities,
specifically designed in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data,
digital systems, cyber security and informatics.”
Özvar underlined that in parallel with the digital agenda, sustainability
and green transformation also represent urgent priorities for Türkiye's
higher education sector.
The 10th Eurasia Higher Education Summit will be held at Istanbul Lütfi
Kırdar Congress Center on April 8-10. In addition to Türkiye, more than 400
representatives of higher education institutions from more than 60
countries from Europe, Asia, America and Africa are attending the summit.
Speaking at the Summit, Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Dr. Zambry
Abd Kadir stated that higher education is not only a national system but
also a global bridge to peace, innovation and sustainable development. He
stated that international cooperation is no longer an option but a
necessity.
Prof. Mustafa Aydın, President of the Eurasian Association of Universities
(EURAS), said that as the Eurasian Higher Education Summit, they have been
proud to create a platform that encourages cooperation in higher education,
strengthens academic partnerships, and increases the sharing of knowledge
and experience in the last decade.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, EURAS&EURIE President Prof. Mustafa Aydın,
British Council Global President Martin Hope, NAFSA CEO Dr. Fanta Aw, TIM
President Mustafa Gültepe, ITO President Şekib Avdagiç made speeches at the
opening of the summit.
Following the opening speeches, Özvar visited the Malaysian booth together
with Malaysian Minister of Higher Education Kadir. He also visited the
other booths.