Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) hosted the “Internationalization in Higher Education: Navigating Global Challenges and Opportunities Conference (IHECON 2024),” a hybrid event that brought together academic leaders, researchers, and experts from 19 countries to address the future of internationalization in higher education.
Held from October 25-27, 2024, at OMU’s Atatürk Congress and Culture Center and the Distance Education Center (UZEM), IHECON 2024 featured contributions from 26 universities and five partner institutions, including the Yunus Emre Institute, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, and Çarşamba Municipality. The conference aimed to foster discussions on international collaboration, digital transformation, and the evolving landscape of higher education in a post-pandemic world.
The conference opened with the speeches of Prof. Dr. M. Said KURŞUNOĞLU, the Chairman of the IHECON2024 Organizing Committee, and Prof. Dr. Çetin KURNAZ, Vice-Rector of Ondokuz Mayıs University; and followed by keynote addresses by Prof. Dr. Kimberly Noels from the University of Alberta, Canada, with “Language Education and Internationalization” and Emeritus Prof. Dr. Hans de Wit from Boston College, USA, with “Critical Reflections on the Concept and Evolution of Internationalization in Higher Education”. These addresses set the stage for discussions on the increasing importance of international collaboration and the challenges and opportunities facing institutions worldwide. Following the keynotes, conference sessions explored perspectives on the role of internationalization in advancing academic exchange and global engagement.
The keynote speakers for the afternoon session were Prof. Dr. Mahmut Aydın (Rector of Samsun University) with “Higher Education Without Walls: What’s Next?,” and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Qiang Zha (York University), with “Problematizing Internationalization of Higher Education: China as the Methodology.”
Throughout the conference, 70 presentations were delivered across 18 sessions, with representatives from 22 different countries sharing their insights. Each session featured interactive Q&A segments, encouraging a dynamic exchange of ideas among participants.
Speaking on behalf of OMU, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Said Kurşunoğlu, Chair of OMU’s International Relations Department and Head of the Conference Organizing Committee, emphasized the university’s commitment to expanding its international reach. "Since establishing the Erasmus Office in 2004, OMU has signed collaboration agreements with 180 universities in 53 countries and now hosts over 5,000 international students," he noted. "However, as the world rapidly digitalizes, these efforts are just the beginning. Moving forward, OMU aims to establish more quality-driven partnerships that align with global trends in internationalization."
OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz also delivered welcoming remarks, underscoring the importance of IHECON 2024 as a testament to OMU’s dedication to international collaboration and the university's role in fostering global academic connections.
OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın also attended the conference where she had the opportunity to meet with various participants and engage in discussions.
IHECON 2024 attracted a notable roster of international participants. Among the distinguished guests were Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin B. Abu Hassan, Director of International Relations at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Prof. Dr. Vincent Kakembo, Vice-Chancellor of Muteesa I Royal University in Uganda; Prof. Zakir Jumakulov, Vice Rector of Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University in Kazakhstan; Nazlı Tyfekci, Vice Rector of Fehmi Agani University in Kosovo; and Suleyman Jabati, President of the Sierra Leone-Türkiye Friendship Association.
In sessions held on the second day, speakers addressed the intersection of internationalization with technological advancement, cross-cultural exchange, and the future workforce. Keynote speakers of the second day were Prof. Dr. Mustafa Said Kurşunoğlu (OMU) on “Geo-Conceptual Bases for the Visionary Internationalization in Higher Education: Relevance and Contradictions,” Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin B. Abu Hassan (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) on “Internationalization Strategy of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM): The Way Forward,” Prof. Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Bin İsmail (Rector of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) on “Internationalisation Agenda of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia: The Way Forward,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dewi Yanti Liliana (Politeknik Negeri Jakarta Indonesia) on “Ethical Horizons: Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence for Education.” These discussions highlighted how universities can embrace internationalization to better equip students for a globalized world and advance research through global partnerships.
The Head of Chancery of the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Ankara, Mrs. Clara Fatmata Koroma, also delivered a speech that focused on the relationship between Türkiye and Sierra Leone.
As the conference concluded, participants expressed their appreciation for OMU’s role in facilitating such a pivotal exchange of ideas. The event underscored the importance of robust international partnerships and proactive strategies to navigate the shifting landscape of global education. OMU’s IHECON 2024 marks a significant step in fostering international collaboration, contributing to an evolving roadmap for global higher education.
LISTEN