Academic Bridge to the Turkish World from Istanbul Gelisim University

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) participated in the international symposium on "Turkish World: Social Sciences and Engineering Collaborations", hosted by Uzbekistan Renaissance Education University, which brought together distinguished higher education institutions from the Turkish world, with a high level of academic and administrative representation.

Academic engagement from IGU: Scientific depth and institutional representation

Istanbul Gelisim University contributed to the symposium with four representatives known for their academic competencies and international visions. Prof. Şenol Durgun, Assoc. Prof. Hakan Yıldırım, Asst. Prof. Bulent Deyirmenci and Umedjon Haitmurodov from the International Students Office presented their academic papers in various sessions.
The presentations made in multidisciplinary themes ranging from social sciences to engineering drew attention to the potential of joint scientific production by considering the regional dynamics specific to the Turkish world. Participants contributed to the deepening of the cooperation by presenting analyses of common projects that could be carried out.

Common vision message from Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin

Istanbul Gelisim University Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin attended the symposium through an online connection and emphasized the importance of academic solidarity and common vision between institutions in her opening speech. Prof. Bahri Şahin included the following statements in his speech:
“Our presence here today is a manifestation not only of an academic partnership, but also of our shared history, culture, language, and shared vision of the future. Research projects, student and academic exchange programs, joint curricula and scientific organizations to be carried out together will be the most concrete steps of this cooperation.
As Istanbul Gelisim University, we are honored to be among the organizers of this symposium. Our university adopts internationalization not only as a Western-oriented orientation but also as a multifaceted strategy that deepens academic cooperation with the Turkish world. Especially in social sciences, culture-based approaches and producing technological solutions that will respond to regional needs in engineering are among our primary goals.
The bold and visionary steps taken by Uzbekistan in the field of higher education in recent years set an inspiring example not only for Uzbekistan but also for the entire Turkish world. The new universities opened, the determination towards internationalization and the importance given to scientific production are carefully monitored.

Such activities, which aim at cultural convergence beyond scientific interaction, are decisive not only in the construction of today but also in the construction of tomorrow. Every scientific meeting held serves not only to share information, but also to build a common vision of the future. The presence of valuable academics from our university in this symposium is a concrete indication of our contribution to this vision. Such activities, in which scientific language is common and academic ties are strengthened, build not only today but also tomorrow."

Interdisciplinary approaches were discussed

The symposium took place with the presentation of numerous scientific papers under 5 thematic headings:
               1.           Pedagogical Interpretation and Research in Modern Society
               2.           Philology: Research and Teaching
               3.           The Role of Green Economy and Digital Technologies in Sustainable Development
               4.           Social Sciences and Humanities
               5.           Engineering, Mathematical Modeling, Information Systems and Technological Knowledge

The contributions of the IGU representatives presented original and practical academic suggestions in line with the development goals of the Turkish world under these headings. While interdisciplinary approaches encouraged the transfer of knowledge between institutions, they also opened the door to new joint research and education projects.

The meeting that guides the academic future of the Turkish World

The symposium, which was held in Uzbekistan on May 5-6, 2025, was carried out in partnership with prestigious institutions such as Renaissance Education University, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan, Istanbul Gelisim University, Hacı Bayram Veli University, Karabük University, Ankara University, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Zhubanov Aktobe University and Osmonov Jalalabad State University.
The symposium, which is based on the strategic documents of the Presidency of Uzbekistan that shape higher education policies, aimed to deepen academic integration among Turkish states and to establish the infrastructure of sustainable cooperation in the fields of social sciences and engineering.

From scientific interaction to lasting collaborations

At the end of the symposium, bilateral cooperation protocols between universities, joint publication planning and declarations of intent regarding student mobility programs came to the fore. Istanbul Gelisim University played an active role in this process and made a concrete contribution to academic diplomacy.
Istanbul Gelisim University shapes its internationalization strategy not only with the aim of integrating into global rankings, but also with an understanding that strengthens cultural ties with the Turkish world, prioritizes solutions to regional problems and encourages joint scientific production. Every academic activity participated in this direction not only contributes to science, but also plays a critical role in the realization of the multidimensional vision of the university.