The First Academic Staff Mobility Held Within the Scope of the Orhun Exchange Program
![]()
Istanbul Ticaret University has taken an important step toward building an academic bridge with the Turkic world through the Orhun Exchange Program. The first academic staff mobility, carried out with the participation of four academics from Tashkent International University of Uzbekistan, laid the foundation for lasting scientific cooperation between the two countries.
Having joined the Orhun Exchange Program, implemented under the umbrella of the Turkic Council and coordinated by the Association of Turkic Universities (TÜRKÜNİB), as of the 2024–2025 academic year, Istanbul Ticaret University hosted its first academic staff mobility. The program, held between 2–9 November 2025 with the participation of Assoc. Prof. Samandar Babaev, Dr. Javlon Davronov, Lecturer Munira Abdullayeva, and Lecturer Sofiya Alimova from Tashkent International University of Uzbekistan, made a significant contribution to our university’s internationalization vision. Throughout the five-day program, our guest academics had the opportunity to learn about the academic structure of Istanbul Ticaret University as well as explore the cultural and historical richness of Istanbul.
FIRST MEETING IN ISTANBUL
The first day of the program began with a welcome by our exchange programs office. Our Exchange Programs Coordinator Assist. Prof. Dr. Elif Nuray Yıldırım, Assist. Prof. Dr. Zebiniso Kemal, and exchange programs specialists Arda Türkoğlu, Asena Leblebici, and Betül Doğdu hosted our guests at a breakfast gathering held at Cemile Sultan Korusu. Following breakfast, a cultural tour was organized on the Anatolian side, during which important historical and cultural landmarks around Anadolu Hisarı were visited. The day concluded with a dinner at Liman Han in Eminönü.
RECTORATE VISIT AND SADABAD CAMPUS TOUR
On the second day morning, our Rector Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek welcomed the guest academics in his office. During the meeting, they discussed academic cooperation opportunities between the two universities, and Prof. Dr. Şimşek presented commemorative gifts to the guests. Later, Assist. Prof. Dr. Zebiniso Kemal conducted a guided tour of the Sadabad Campus in Sütlüce.
In the afternoon, our guests visited Miniatürk accompanied by Arda Türkoğlu. They explored miniature models of symbolic structures from various cities of Türkiye, gaining an impression of the country’s historical and cultural diversity.
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS AND JOINT PROJECT DISCUSSIONS
The third day began with a breakfast meeting held in the Rectorate Senate Hall with the Mathematics Department committee. Afterwards, Assoc. Prof. Samandar Babaev delivered a presentation titled “An Optimal Quadrature Formulas for Numerical Approximation of Fractional-Order Integrals,” followed by a presentation by Dr. Javlon Davronov titled “Construction of Discrete Analogue of Some Differential Operator.” Following the presentations, meetings were held to exchange ideas for potential project partnerships, laying the groundwork for future collaborations.
On the same day, Dr. Sofiya Alimova met with our Head of the Department of Management Information Systems, Prof. Dr. N. Öykü İyigün, and Dr. İsrafil Boyacı to discuss possible academic projects. Later, our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Berk Ayvaz welcomed the guest academics and held consultations on Türkiye–Uzbekistan relations and the cooperation potential between the two countries.
TECHNICAL VISITS AT HEZARFEN CAMPUS KÜÇÜKYALI
Throughout the day, the visiting academics continued their program with several visits at Hezarfen Campus Küçükyalı. They were welcomed by the Head of the Department of Computer Engineering Prof. Dr. Saadettin Aksoy, the Head of the Department of Software Engineering Prof. Dr. Doğan Kaya, and the Director of the Vocational School Assoc. Prof. Muhammet Ceylan. The guests received detailed information about ongoing research in the laboratories.
They also examined projects, designs, and models developed by our students, gaining insight into the university’s productivity and innovative approach in engineering fields. The visit concluded with a briefing by Technology Transfer Office Specialist Esra Polat on potential collaborations between the two institutions.
EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING
The fourth day began with Lecturer Munira Abdullayeva’s visit to the English Preparatory School at Ahi Çelebi Campus in Eminönü, where she met with our Preparatory School Coordinator Lecturer Şenay Kaplan. During the meeting, they compared English teaching methods in Türkiye and Uzbekistan, and evaluated differences in educational practices between the two countries.
Dr. Abdullayeva conducted an interactive lesson for the preparatory class students, demonstrating practical teaching approaches. She then delivered a seminar titled “The Power of Rapport: Enhancing English Proficiency Through Positive Teacher-Student Relationships.” Discussions also covered the impact of AI-supported learning methods on language education. After the seminar, our guests continued their visit by experiencing the historical atmosphere of Eminönü.
SHARING EXPERIENCES
On the final day of the program, a professional video recording was carried out at the TV Studio of Sadabad Campus Sütlüce, during which our guest academics shared their experiences in the Orhun Exchange Program. They reflected on the academic and cultural gains they acquired during their stay at Istanbul Ticaret University. The program concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony.
AN ACADEMIC BRIDGE WITH THE TURKIC WORLD
The five-day program strengthened academic solidarity between the two countries and served as a concrete demonstration of Istanbul Ticaret University’s commitment to building strong academic ties with the Turkic world. Through the efforts of the Exchange Programs Coordination Office, our university will continue to enhance academic collaboration and foster joint scientific production with institutions across the Turkic world.
