Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) took part in the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo, held in San Diego, United States, under the “Study in Türkiye” pavilion coordinated by the Turkish National Agency.

This year’s fair featured nearly 8,000 participants from 103 countries and over 320 exhibition booths. It remains one of the most important global events for promoting and marketing international higher education, student exchange programs, and universities. The event draws great attention from experts working in universities' international admissions and marketing offices.

In addition to promotional activities, the fair also hosts conferences on topics such as international higher education, studying abroad, and global engagement, delivered by field specialists.

With the leadership and support of the Turkish National Agency, many universities from Türkiye participated in the event. Representing OMU, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Said Kurşunoğlu, Head of the International Relations Office, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tütüncü, Erasmus Coordinator, held institutional promotion meetings and engaged in bilateral discussions on cooperation and exchange programs.

OMU Conducts Bilateral Meetings at NAFSA Expo 2025

At the NAFSA Expo 2025 in San Diego, which OMU attended under the coordination of the Turkish National Agency, Prof. Dr. Kurşunoğlu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tütüncü held numerous bilateral meetings.

Discussions focused on Erasmus+ capacity building, mutual student and academic exchanges, doctoral and postdoctoral study opportunities, bilateral cooperation protocols, and joint symposium planning.

Notable figures met with during the event include:

• Dr. Mohd Ariffin, President of Erasmus+ Malaysia and Executive Director and Chair of the Administrative Committee of the Asia Technological Universities Network (ATU-Net),
• Prof. Dr. Shalva Kırtadze, Rector of Akaki Tsereteli State University (Georgia),
• Dr. Desiderio R. Apak III, National President of the Philippine Institute of Computer Engineers and Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
• Prof. Dr. Sanda Monica Filip, Vice Rector of the University of Oradea (Romania),
• Prof. Dr. Christina Duhnea, Head of International Relations and Erasmus Coordinator at Ovidius University of Constanta (Romania),
• Mg. Ricardo Sanchez Garrafa, Director of National and International Relations at Andina del Cusco University (Peru),
• Marcus Thomson, International Student Advisor at IOVA University of Science and Technology (USA),
• Samantha Gerber, International Student Services Coordinator at the University of Denver (USA),
• Lan Gibson, Dean of Global Campus at the University of San Diego (USA),
• Makbule Köksal, Director and International Student Advisor at the University of California Riverside (USA),
• Priyanka Basu, Director of the Office of Global Engagement and Partnerships at JIS University (India),
• Abidemi Oyeniran, Executive President of Wisdom House College (Nigeria).

Additionally, OMU’s booth was visited by İlker Astarcı, President of the Turkish National Agency, as well as Prof. Dr. Fatih Yılmaz, Rector of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, and Prof. Dr. Mustafa Alişarlı, Rector of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University.