• President of the Council of Higher Education, Erol Özvar, met with delegations from EURAS and the Association of Arab Universities:
• “Cooperation among universities will contribute not to brain drain but to brain circulation.”
• “At a time when the world is going through political and military instability, universities are the institutions that can help bring about peace and stability.”
• Özvar also met with higher education representatives from Pakistan and Bulgaria.

April 7, 2026

President of the Council of Higher Education, Erol Özvar, met with the delegation of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) and the Association of Arab Universities at the Eurasian Higher Education Summit (EURIE). Özvar also held separate meetings with higher education representatives from Pakistan and Bulgaria.

During the meeting with EURAS President Prof. Mustafa Aydın, along with rectors from member universities, and with the Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities, Prof. Amr Ezzat Salama, as well as representatives from member universities, Özvar emphasized that EURIE offers unique opportunities for all universities and academic unions.

Stating that cooperation among universities will contribute not to brain drain but to brain circulation, Özvar said: “Such circulation of knowledge, skills, and experience will strengthen not only our institutions but also our societies and our shared future.”

During the meeting, the “Arab-Eurasian Higher Education Corridor Initiative” was presented to Özvar.

Highlighting that universities serve as bridges connecting cultures, societies, and disciplines, Özvar stated: “Our responsibility is to strengthen these bridges and make them more functional, inclusive, and future-oriented. In this context, the planned initiative to establish the Arab–Eurasian Higher Education Corridor presents a valuable opportunity. We believe that this initiative can evolve into a concrete and effective platform for structured and sustainable academic cooperation.”

Recalling that numerous universities from Türkiye and around the world participated in the EURIE Summit, Özvar said: “At a time when the world is experiencing significant political and military instability, inter-university relations are among the institutions that can contribute to bringing peace and stability to the world.”

- “Cooperation Is Not a Choice but a Necessity”

Emphasizing that inter-university cooperation is no longer merely a choice but a necessity, Özvar stated: “In today’s highly competitive and interconnected academic environment, no institution can reach its full potential on its own. Cooperation is the path to excellence. Therefore, we attach great importance to strengthening our relations with EURAS, the Association of Arab Universities, and their member institutions.”

Özvar underlined that cooperation could be expanded in many areas, including strengthening institutional dialogue and connections with universities in member countries, expanding joint academic programs, promoting academic and student mobility, enhancing joint research and academic output, as well as digital collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Encouraging all member universities to adopt a proactive approach in establishing contact with Turkish institutions, launching joint programs, and exploring new areas of cooperation, Özvar noted that the Council of Higher Education stands ready to support, facilitate, and coordinate these efforts.

- Meetings with Pakistan and Bulgarian Delegations

Özvar also met with the Pakistan delegation led by Prof. Sumaira Rehman, Head of the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP).

Emphasizing that EURIE has established itself as a longstanding tradition and a well-recognized brand in higher education, Özvar stated that this year’s summit brought together rectors, vice-rectors, experts, administrators, students, and private sector representatives from more than 60 countries. He added that the main objective of the summit is to bring together experts, authorities, and university leaders from around the world to advance cooperation in higher education to higher levels.

Highlighting that relations between Türkiye and Pakistan date back many years, Özvar said:
“There are exceptionally strong relations between Türkiye and Pakistan in the fields of higher education, science, technology, and innovation. Especially in recent years, there have been significant developments in student and academic staff mobility. In this meeting, we will further discuss the existing relations between our universities and exchange ideas regarding the future.”

The delegation of the Council of Higher Education, led by Özvar, also held a meeting with Prof. Miglena Temelkova, President of the Council of Rectors of Bulgaria, and her delegation. During the meeting, issues such as inter-university cooperation, joint and dual degree programs, as well as Turkish and Bulgarian language education were discussed.