Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) attended the General Assembly of the Turkic Universities Union operating under the Organization of Turkic States, with the status of observing member of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and EMU Institutional Development and International Academic Affairs Office Coordinator Assist. Prof. Dr. Cahit Ezel attended the event which was hosted by the Tashkent International University and brought together the higher education institutions in the Turkic world. Topics such as academic collaborations within the universities, student and academic staff exchange programs and joint projects were discussed at the General Assembly of the Turkic Universities Union.
“Strengthening the Academic Unity in the Turkic World”
Releasing a statement regarding the event EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç said; “We take great pride in representing our country at the highest level as an official member of the Turkic Universities Union during its General Assembly. Strengthening academic collaborations among universities across the Turkic world, developing joint initiatives, and enhancing student and faculty mobility remain among our foremost priorities. The Orhun Exchange Program—designed to foster cooperation through student and academic mobility—has now been fully implemented. As is well known, the program is grounded in the collaboration of universities operating within the member states of the Organization of Turkic States, particularly in areas related to academic and student exchange. We express our sincere appreciation to all stakeholders whose contributions have made this milestone possible, with special gratitude extended to the Republic of Türkiye, as well as to the Presidency, Prime Ministry, and Ministry of National Education of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. EMU remains firmly committed to further deepening its engagement with institutions across the higher education landscape of the Turkic world and to advancing new dimensions of international cooperation”.
About the Organization of Turkic States and Turkic Universities Union
The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is an international body comprising Turkic nations, with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye as member states, and Hungary, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Turkmenistan holding observer status. The primary aim of the organization is to promote comprehensive cooperation among Turkic-speaking countries. The Secretariat of the Organization is located in Istanbul.
Education stands at the core of the mission of the Organization of Turkic States, which continues to prioritize cooperation in the field of education among its Member and Observer States. This focus is of vital importance, as education not only strengthens collaboration among OTS governments but also directly influences societies and the future generations of the Turkic world.
Recognizing the significance of higher education, the idea of establishing an interuniversity union to enhance cooperation among universities of the OTS Member States has been on the Organization’s agenda since its foundation. In line with this vision, the Turkic Universities Union (TÜRKÜNİB) convened its 8th General Assembly on 15–16 October 2025 in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Eastern Mediterranean University, which became an official member of TÜRKÜNİB during the General Assembly held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 20 May 2024, was represented at this year’s 8th General Assembly by Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and Assist. Prof. Dr. Cahit Ezel, Institutional Development and International Academic Affairs Office Coordinator.
