The Turkic World Urbanism Summit began as an international gathering that will shape the architectural and urbanism vision of the Turkic world, hosted by Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU).

On the first day of the summit, following the opening ceremony, the program continued with a panel attended by guest rectors from Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye. In the session titled “The Current State of Universities in the Turkic World, Joint Education and Research Programs,” the contribution of higher education to city branding was addressed in a multidimensional manner.

The panel was attended by Atyrau University Rector Prof. Dr. Salamat Nurmuhanulu Idrissov from Kazakhstan, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, International Vision University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Vecdi Can from North Macedonia, University of Management and Future Technologies Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammadismoil Mahmudov from Uzbekistan, and OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın.

Prof. Dr. Muhammadismoil Mahmudov: “Competitiveness is measured by the capacity to produce knowledge”

Speaking at the panel, University of Management and Future Technologies Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammadismoil Mahmudov stated that a significant transformation is taking place in higher education in Uzbekistan and made the following remarks:

“Especially in the information age, a country’s competitiveness is measured not by the natural resources it possesses, but by its capacity to produce knowledge, its research infrastructure, and the international visibility of its higher education institutions. In Uzbekistan, a significant transformation is taking place in higher education with digitalization, artificial intelligence-supported education systems, and new quality standards. The ‘New Tashkent’ project is not only an urbanization project, but also a next-generation education and innovation space designed for the knowledge society of the future. Behind strong branded cities are strong universities, and Tashkent is experiencing this transformation. The academic strength of the Turkic world lies in its capacity to transform a shared past into shared future projects. Relations between universities should not remain only at the level of protocol; they should transform into lasting structures that touch students, research, technology, and urban life.”

Prof. Dr. Salamat Idrissov: “Universities are strategic centers in the development of cities”

Atyrau University Rector Prof. Dr. Salamat Nurmuhanulu Idrissov from Kazakhstan drew attention to the role of universities in urban development and stated:

“In the Turkic world, higher education institutions are not only structures that produce knowledge; they are also strategic centers that guide the development of cities, increase cultural interaction, and strengthen international visibility. The contribution of our universities to city branding is not limited to academic production; it also shows its effect in social, cultural, and economic fields. For this reason, university–city cooperation is one of the fundamental elements of sustainable development.”

Idrissov also stated that a common digital education and library network should be established among Turkic world universities and said, “In this way, access to scientific publications, course content, and research data will be shared, accelerating knowledge exchange and strengthening equality of opportunity in education.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Joint academic networks should be strengthened”

Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus emphasized the importance of inter-university cooperation:

“We believe that cooperation among universities in the Turkic world should be increased, joint research networks should be developed, and student exchange programs should be strengthened. I think that such platforms are extremely valuable for our shared academic future.”

Şanlıdağ also provided information about academic activities at his university and stated that the studies carried out through research centers and institutes are concentrated in the fields of health, engineering, and artificial intelligence, and that scientific productivity is reflected in practice through international projects and achievements in organizations such as Teknofest.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Vecdi Can: “Education in Turkish cannot be rejected”

International Vision University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Vecdi Can from North Macedonia drew attention to the problems faced by Turkish-medium education at the international level:

“It is unacceptable that the diplomas of students who receive education in Turkish outside Türkiye are rejected. Education in Turkish should not be a reason for rejection.”

Can stated that the International Vision University he represents is a Turkish minority university established in North Macedonia and expressed that the university was established by the Turkish community in North Macedonia under the umbrella of the Şar Vardar Foundation. He emphasized that the university is not only a higher education institution but also carries a cultural and historical mission.

He also stated that the university was established to provide education in Turkish and represents a first in the Balkans in this respect, and said, “The continuation of Turkish at the academic level is of vital importance not only for education but also for identity and culture. Because language is the foundation of a society’s existence.”

Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın: “OMU carries out effective activities at national and international levels”

OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, who delivered a presentation at the panel, referred to the university’s activities in the fields of education, research, and social contribution and stated that OMU continues its work with the vision of being an effective higher education institution at national and international levels.

Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın stated that the panel held within the scope of the Turkic World Urbanism Summit provided a highly productive and inspiring academic environment, and that the contributions of rectors from different countries are of great importance in developing a shared vision in higher education. Aydın thanked those who contributed to the organization of the program and all academics who participated, emphasizing that such international gatherings strengthen inter-university cooperation.

Urbanization issues discussed in the first session

In the second half of the day, in the session chaired by Prof. Dr. Cevdet Yılmaz, rapid urbanization, migration, housing policies, and transportation problems were evaluated within an academic framework. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mutlu, Dr. Cem Ayık, and Dr. Yeliz Emecen contributed to the session.

Resilient and smart cities sessions

On the second day of the summit, sessions focusing on global urbanization issues will be held.

In the session titled “Resilient and Sustainable Cities,” chaired by Prof. Dr. Yusuf Demir, disaster management, climate change, and social resilience will be discussed by Prof. Dr. Afşin Ahmet Kaya, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Altuğ, and Research Assistant Nilay Nida Can.

In the “Smart and Digital Urbanism” session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Erhan Burak Pancar, digital municipal services, smart transportation, and waste management will be evaluated by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çetin, Dr. Damla Karagöz, and Prof. Dr. Nurdan Gamze Turan.