09.01.2026

The meeting held at Fenerbahçe University Ataşehir Campus was attended by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Şükriye Güniz Küçükgüzel, Dr. Lecturer Derya Dilek Kançağı, Prof. Dr. Serhan Yarkan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başar Öztürk, Research Assistant Rukiye Kökkız, Director of Health, Culture, and Sports Kerem Zülfikar, Head of the Career Center and Alumni Office Nazlı Doğan, General Director of Ardem Project Dilek Adalı, and the university project team from Fenerbahçe University. On behalf of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), project coordinators Buse Canbolat, Murat Eryılmaz, Buket Güney, and Filiz Turan from the EU Relations Directorate, as well as Higher Education Relations Coordinator Bahar Yazgan and Zuhal Kılıç from the Youth Services Directorate, participated in the meeting.

The meeting focused on potential collaboration opportunities between Fenerbahçe University and IMM under Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ Programs, as well as TÜBİTAK and ERA-NET calls. It was noted that Fenerbahçe University has an extensive academic and institutional collaboration network at both national and international levels, with strong coordination capacity for multi-partner projects.

While potential joint project topics between IMM and Fenerbahçe University were evaluated in detail, it was emphasized that artificial intelligence applications, restoration and architecture, health, and sports are priority areas for the university, aligning with IMM’s smart cities, cultural heritage preservation, digital transformation, and social policy goals.

Particular attention was drawn to the potential for joint projects in the health sector, especially under EU-supported calls such as the ERA4Health Program. It was noted that collaborations in projects offering innovative and implementable solutions in Istanbul would enhance both institutions’ capacity to access national and international grants and funding. The meeting also discussed possible cooperation opportunities for university students.