Officials from the European Union Relations Unit of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) visited Istinye University on August 14. The meeting, attended by Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation, and Commercialization Prof. Dr. Bestami Özkaya, provided a comprehensive discussion on bilateral collaboration opportunities, national and international projects, and strong inter-institutional communication. The visit, organized in connection with the project on healthcare accessibility coordinated by Dr. Ülkü Kölemen, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, marked an important step toward expanding collaboration discussions between the two institutions. The project aims to bring together universities, non-governmental organizations, companies working on assistive technologies, and local authorities. Istinye University administrators and IBB representatives evaluated collaboration opportunities within the framework of European Union projects and international funding. During the meeting, joint projects in areas such as health, energy, environment, disaster management, migration, artificial intelligence, and sports were discussed.
“We Aim to Increase Collaboration with Universities”
IBB Deputy Director of European Union Relations Akın Özkardaş outlined the scope of the proposed collaborations:
“Primarily, we evaluate projects in which we can collaborate, including EU projects. This includes visits to universities. Increasing our cooperation with universities is among our core objectives. Each university has its own area of expertise. We assist with the coordination of EU project applications and provide training to municipalities and NGOs. Since universities have highly developed R&D processes, Horizon Europe projects prepared by universities and shared with IBB yield more effective results. Many units of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), particularly the Smart City Branch Directorate, the Climate Change Branch Directorate, and the Green Areas and Facilities Branch Directorate, are carrying out joint projects with universities.”
Erasmus and International Funding Opportunities
IBB EU Project Coordinator Murat Eryılmaz explained Erasmus-related opportunities:
“We aim to bring European universities to Istanbul under Erasmus and enhance our student exchange collaborations. University partnerships in projects like InterYouth can also attract international funding.”
“We Will Develop More Inclusive Projects Together”
Representatives from Istinye University’s Strategic R&D and Resource Development Unit emphasized that internal fund coordination would be more effective in collaboration with IBB. Strategic R&D and Resource Development Director Dr. Muaz Mücahit Yıldırım noted that more than 30 internationally funded projects are currently underway at the university, half of which fall under Horizon Europe. Dr. Yıldırım highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“Developing joint projects with IBB is among our core objectives to expand the inclusivity of our programs. Working closely with IBB is an important step to develop national and international, impactful, socially beneficial projects and to strengthen inter-institutional communication.”
Istinye University TTO Director Ömer Ertuğrul Meral emphasized the strategic importance of developing national projects, entrepreneurship, and industry collaborations:
“Carrying out joint work with IBB’s international project team within the Smart City Directorate offers great opportunities for both institutions.”
This meeting marked an important step for Istinye University and IBB to combine resources and expertise to advance projects that increase societal benefits. The collaboration is expected to strengthen access to both national and international funding and contribute to the future of Istanbul and Turkey through innovative solutions.
