Global Higher Education Converges in Istanbul for 11th Eurasia Summit
Istanbul, April 8, 2026 – The 11th Eurasian Higher Education Summit (EURIE 2026), a significant gathering for global higher education, commenced today at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center. With SABAH Newspaper as its main media sponsor, the summit has brought together prominent actors from the higher education world. Organized by the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS), the event hosts 300 institutions from 50 countries and over 100 speakers.
New Vision for Turkish Higher Education Highlighted
In his opening speech, Professor Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education, emphasized Turkey’s progress with a new vision in higher education. Özvar stated that the goal is a system where academic education is more strongly integrated with the business world, applied learning is prioritized, and international competitiveness is enhanced. He underscored that digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven management are key components of this vision, noting the rapid expansion of programs in these areas across universities.
Global Issues on the Agenda
Professor Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of EURAS and EURIE, speaking at the summit’s opening, stressed that higher education is not merely an academic field but also bears the responsibility of finding solutions to global problems. Aydın highlighted that issues such as wars, migration, inequalities, and the climate crisis concern all humanity, and platforms like EURIE play a critical role in fostering collective intelligence to address them.
Strengthening International Cooperation
Over the course of the three-day summit, sessions will address topics such as the future of higher education, digitalization, sustainability, and academic collaborations. Representatives from various countries will exchange views on developing joint projects and increasing student and academic mobility.
The summit aims to facilitate dialogue and partnerships that will shape the future of higher education globally, fostering innovative approaches and collaborative initiatives to tackle contemporary challenges.
Source: https://www.sabah.com.tr/egitim/kuresel-yuksekogretim-istanbulda-bulustu-7558871
