Istanbul Commerce University Met With Arab University Rectors And Tunisian Students In Tunisia
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Istanbul Commerce University represented Turkey at the 5th Turkish-Arab Universities Congress and the “Study in Türkiye 2025” Turkish Universities Education Fair held in Tunisia. Our university delegation, consisting of our Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek, International Office Coordinator Fatma Kabaoğlu, and International Office staff member Merve Önder, contributed to the development of academic relations between the two countries and the international promotion of Turkish higher education.
The 5th Turkish-Arab Universities Congress, hosted by the University of Tunis El Menar, brought together over 100 university rectors from Turkey and the Arab world. The congress addressed topics such as digital transformation in higher education, sustainability, leadership, internationalization, and youth empowerment.
The opening program was attended by Tunisian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Munzer Belid, Council of Higher Education (YÖK) President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, Turkish Ambassador to Tunisia Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Secretary General of the Arab Universities Union Amr ez-Zad Selam, President of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, and numerous academic representatives. Speeches emphasized the goal of increasing permanent cooperation between Turkish and Arab universities through joint research and student exchange programs.
OUR UNIVERSITY DELEGATION AT THE CONGRESS
Our university was represented at the congress by our Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek, International Office Coordinator Fatma Kabaoğlu, and International Office staff member Merve Önder. On the second day of the congress, our rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek met with university rectors from Arab universities and held talks on joint projects. Later in the program, the host Tunis El Menar University was visited to evaluate opportunities for mutual academic cooperation. Our university delegation held various meetings with the aim of increasing the international visibility of Turkish higher education.
INTENSE INTEREST IN OUR UNIVERSITY AT THE “STUDY IN TURKEY 2025” FAIR
Following the congress, the “Study in Turkey 2025” Turkish Universities Education Fair was held in the Tunisian capital with the participation of 34 Turkish universities. YÖK (Higher Education Institution), the Service Exporters’ Association (HİB), and the Eurasian Universities Association (EURAS) also participated in the fair.
In their opening remarks, WAJAHNI Project Manager Mohamed Mnif, YÖK Director of International Relations Mustafa Efe, Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, and Turkey’s Ambassador to Tunisia Ahmet Misbah Demircan highlighted the educational opportunities Turkey offers to international students.
Our university’s booth attracted great interest at the fair. Our Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek met with Tunisian prospective students and provided information about Istanbul Commerce University’s undergraduate and graduate programs and the opportunities available to international students.
MELEK’S STORY WAS THE MOST MEANINGFUL MOMENT OF THE FAIR
One of the most special moments at the fair was the visit of Melek, a student from Tunisia. Melek, who had arrived in Istanbul a week earlier, had seen our University’s Ahî Çelebi Campus in Eminönü during a city tour and was very impressed. Melek, who wanted to pursue a master’s degree in Turkey, learned that our University would be participating in the fair and came to the event with great excitement.
Melek had an emotional encounter at the fair when she met our Rector, Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek, and the International Office team. Our Rector invited Melek to join our university for the upcoming academic year. This meeting became one of the most meaningful and unforgettable moments of the fair.
ACADEMIC COOPERATION MEETING AT THE EMBASSY
Following the fair, Turkey’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, met with the rectors of Turkish universities. The meeting was also attended by TIKA (Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency) Tunisia Coordinator Ali Fuat Cebeci, Yunus Emre Institute Tunisia Coordinator Dr. Ali İhsan Çevik, and Maarif Foundation Tunisia Coordinator. During the meeting, the deepening of academic relations between Turkey and Tunisia, the development of joint fairs and exchange programs were discussed.
The Turkish-Arab Universities Congress and Turkish Universities Education Fair held in Tunisia demonstrated Turkey’s strength in enhancing regional academic cooperation.
