The "Research Universities, Research-Oriented Mission Differentiation, and Specialization Program," organized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), took place at Gazi University with broad participation. Representing Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal attended the event.

The program, held in the Mimar Kemaleddin Hall, included the participation of YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, YÖK Executive and General Assembly Members, Rectors, Vice-Rectors, and academics.

"We want and support our universities to increase their national and international visibility"

In the opening speech of the program, which began with a moment of silence and the national anthem, YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar thanked the host university. Emphasizing YÖK’s mission to support universities in every way, Prof. Dr. Özvar said, "We want and support our universities to increase their national and international visibility."

He mentioned that five Turkish universities are among the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings, expressing the desire to increase this number in the coming years. Prof. Dr. Özvar also noted that 11 research universities are ranked among the top 1000 in the same list, congratulating the successful institutions.

"This project will open the door for Turkish academic knowledge to the world"

Prof. Dr. Özvar highlighted the upcoming launch of the Azerbaijan Türkiye University, calling it a historic first. He expressed the intention to replicate the Azerbaijan Türkiye University model in other regions. "This project will open the door for Turkish academic knowledge to the world," he said.

He also drew attention to Article 46 of the 2547 Higher Education Law, noting that six universities have been included in the research university monitoring program. He emphasized that the path to research university status is open to all institutions and thanked those involved in organizing the program.

"A rigorous ranking was done in selecting the Research Universities"

YÖK Executive Board Member Prof. Dr. Naci Gündoğan spoke about the nature of the meeting, recalling that the Research Universities Program started in 2017. "A rigorous ranking was done in selecting the Research Universities," he noted.

Since 2023, one-third of the senior management of research universities has changed, Prof. Dr. Gündoğan said, adding that rectors and vice-rectors from 29 universities attended the meeting hosted by Gazi University. He explained that the performance of research universities is evaluated every fall, detailing the performance monitoring criteria in his presentation.

After the opening speeches, the "Research Universities, Research-Oriented Mission Differentiation, and Specialization Program" meetings began.