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Relationships to support the goals
Ege University has a leading role not only in education and research but also in sustainability and environmentally friendly approaches. In this context, a comprehensive sustainability policy has been established in parallel with the SDGs. The sustainability vision of Ege University, as outlined in these plans and policies, is implemented in cooperation with national and international institutions, local and national governments, and communities.
Ege University, with its strong academic staff and institutional expertise, officially assigns subject-matter experts to commissions, boards, and working groups established within local, regional, and national public institutions, as well as national and international non-governmental organizations, in order to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Within this framework, more than 170 Ege University academics actively serve in over 250 commissions, boards, and working groups formed by public institutions and non-governmental organizations at local, regional, and national levels, taking active roles in identifying problems and needs, developing policies and strategies, modelling possible scenarios, monitoring interventions, and reporting.
List of Assignments of Academics in Government and NGO Commission
In addition, Ege University contributes to the development of public policies and strategic plans through active participation as an institutional stakeholder. In accordance with national legislation, public institutions such as ministries, municipalities, and regional development agencies invite Ege University to provide expert opinions, feedback, and data in the preparation of their strategic and action plans.
Click below to view selected examples and details of Ege University’s institutional participation in the strategic planning and policy development processes of local, regional, and national public authorities.
1. Ege University a Member of the IU GreenMetric Steering Committee
Ege University, whose remarkable achievements in the GreenMetric rankings over the past decade have both raised environmental awareness and built sustainable campuses, was appointed as a the National Coordinator by the University of Indonesia (UI), GreenMetric’s executive body, in 2024. Ege University also serves as a member of the UI GreenMetric International Steering Committee, directly contributing to the development, improvement, and policy-level governance of the GreenMetric global sustainability measurement framework, and participates in the process that discusses and approves the programmes of the network.
Source:
https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/network/steering-committee
https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/network/strategic-framework
2. Collaboration of Ege University and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye
Ege University senior management and academics are members of the “Izmir Bay Scientific Committee”, which has been established and coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye. As a research institution supporting data-based decision making, Ege University takes part in the scientific committee to identify the problems and challenges of Izmir Bay (Northern Aegean, Türkiye), develop evidence-based policies and strategies, model possible future scenarios with and without intervention, monitor and report the results of implemented actions, and also develop applicable scientific solutions for the ecological restoration and water quality improvement of the bay. This mission is considered a strategic step in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); in particular, SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 - Climate Action, and SDG 14 - Life Below Water are being carried out through inter-institutional collaboration coordinated by the Ministry within the scope of the rehabilitation of Izmir Bay, protecting marine ecosystems, reducing the pollution burden, and strengthening the sustainable blue economy approach. In this context, a meeting, chaired by Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Ms. Fatma Varank, saw significant participation from Ege University, showcasing its scientific expertise and solution-oriented approaches. The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ersan, Vice-Rector of Ege University, along with academics from the Faculty of Fisheries and Faculty of Science, specializing in environmental sciences, marine ecology, wastewater treatment technologies, and sustainability.
Scientific Committee’s 15-Point Action Plan for Izmır Bayannounced by Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak
The Izmir Bay Scientific Committee has developed a 15-point urgent and short-term action plan to address the increasing environmental challenges in the Gulf of Izmir. The plan, prepared after on-site assessments of wastewater treatment plants and connected stream systems by the Scientific Committee members, was announced on behalf of the Committee by Ege University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak. The declaration took place following the “Breath Mobilization” meeting held on October 7, 2024, chaired by Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Fatma Varank.
https://surdurulebilir.ege.edu.tr/tr-22424/action_plan_for_izmir.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQdLEgZnC1
3. Ege University academics are leading the way in keeping Izmir's first "World Heritage Site" alive
The "Area Management Plan" for the Bergama Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape Area has been opened to access. Ege University academics continue to contribute to the preservation and conservation of the Bergama Multilayered Cultural Landscape Area, a World Heritage Site designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the first World Heritage Site in Izmir. The Bergama Area Management Plan was approved and opened to public access thanks to the efforts of an advisory board comprising Dr. Emre Ataberk, Lecturer at Ege University's Bergama Vocational School, who serves as the Bergama Site Manager, and Ege University faculty members.
https://unesco.bergama.bel.tr/alan-yonetim-plani-2023-2028/
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1457/
4. 3rd Turkey-Uzbekistan Forum
As Ege University, we participated in the ‘Health Forum’ held in Samarkand, attended by the Ministers of Health of the Organization of Turkic States Member and Observer States. At this Forum, where significant steps were taken in health, we also raised our cooperation with Uzbekistan to the next level in health education. During the health forum, we signed agreements with 13 different institutions, including universities, academies, institutes, and centers, primarily with the Uzbek Ministry of Health. Under the coordination of the Council of Higher Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation of Uzbekistan, we organized the 2nd Uzbek-Turkish Education Forum in Samarkand, hosted by Tashkent State Transportation University and our university. As part of the Forum, we signed 20 bilateral cooperation agreements with 39 universities from Uzbekistan. In line with the ‘New CoHE Vision’ of the Republic of Türkiye and with the goal of ‘Science Diplomacy,’ our university has increased the number of bilateral cooperation agreements with Uzbek higher education institutions from 10 in 2017 to 150 in 2024.
5. Ege University contributes to the co-design of international higher education governance and quality assurance framework
Ege University contributes to the co-design of international higher education governance and quality assurance frameworks. Within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the 7th General Assembly Meeting of the Union of Turkic Universities (UTU) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. At this intergovernmental policy platform, Ege University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak delivered a presentation titled “Establishment of the Turkic World Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency”, providing direct policy input for the development of a joint quality assurance architecture across OTS member countries.
6. Ege University – NGO Strategic Collaboration on Climate Change Adaptation: Ege University-Society for Urban Ecology (SURE) partnership:
The “Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of Urban Coastal Districts in Izmir” Project was led by Ege University (Faculty of Agriculture – Department of Landscape Architecture) in partnership with the Austria-based NGO Society for Urban Ecology (SURE). The project was supported within the scope of the “Grant Programme for Climate Change Adaptation”, as financed by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye and realized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and was officially launched at Ege University on 22 January 2024.
The opening meeting was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdulkadir Bektaş (Deputy Head of the Climate Change Presidency, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change), SURE representatives, Ege University academics, and the EU Delegation to Türkiye.
This transnational project enhances climate change adaptation capacity by combining scientific assessment, stakeholder engagement, and sectoral vulnerability analysis. Coastal districts of Izmir were assessed for major climate hazards (heatwaves, urban flooding, storm-surge coastal flooding), vulnerability hotspots were identified, and nature-based solutions (green infrastructure and ecosystem-based adaptation) were co-developed.
The consortium included academics from Türkiye and Romania, as well as an international NGO partner (SURE) from Austria. The project delivered capacity-building programs for local authorities, universities, municipalities, NGOs, and communities, and contributes to the EU Green Deal priorities and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The project will have been completed in June 2025.
7. Ege University senior management attended the “Agricultural Vision (2023–2035)” meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels, contributing to cross-border dialogue on long-term agricultural policy development.
Ege University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak joined the general evaluation the meeting in Brussels, within the scope of the European Union Agriculture–Food Days, as part of the EU Project implemented by Ege University Science, Technology, Application and Research Center (EBILTEM).
8. A Shared Vision in Science, Art and Culture: Cooperation Protocol Between Ege University and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan
A cooperation protocol was signed between Ege University and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan to strengthen collaboration in education, culture, and the arts. The agreement includes joint scientific projects, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, competitions, and festivals, all aimed at preserving and promoting the culture of the Turkic world for future generations. This initiative highlights the importance of international partnerships and shared efforts to advance sustainable cultural and educational development. With this official intergovernmental protocol, Ege University directly contributes to SDG-aligned policy cooperation between Türkiye and Azerbaijan in the fields of culture and education.
9. Cooperation agreements and global education network
The “European International Higher Education Cooperation Summit” EAIE 2024, organized by the European Association for International Education (EAIE) and held in Toulouse, France, is recognized as one of Europe’s largest higher education events. At this platform, Ege University took significant steps to strengthen its internationalization mission. During the summit, Ege University expanded its international cooperation networks.
https://www.haberekspres.com.tr/ege-universitesi-fransada-yeni-anlasmalar-imzaladi
Global Engagement
The commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the context of 'Partnership for the Goals,' is paramount. Ege University actively engages in a wide array of initiatives by partnering with academic institutions, government bodies, and non-governmental organizations on Sustainable Collaborations. Our global engagement and Exchange Programs Partnerships maps showcase the most significant international academic collaborations.
Our Global Engagement map: link
Our Exchange Programs Partnerships map: link
