Dear Members and Esteemed Stakeholders of Özyeğin University,

The role of universities now extends far beyond education, research, and entrepreneurship. The institutions that will forge the future will be those capable of building collaborative ecosystems that bring together diverse disciplines, the public and private sectors, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and international partners to address complex global challenges. At Özyeğin University, we aspire to be at the forefront of this transformation.

We are living in an era defined by accelerating scientific progress, rapidly advancing technologies that are transforming every aspect of our lives, and global challenges that call for collective solutions. In such an era, the future of universities depends on their ability to translate the knowledge they generate into economic, social, and global impact.

Our mission to contribute to science on a global scale and provide the best possible education to the young people who will redefine the future remains at the heart of who we are. Yet, I believe it is more important than ever for us to build international partnerships, connect research with society, and remain in close dialogue with all our stakeholders, especially with the young people.

The international engagements we have undertaken in recent months, our investments in research, academic collaborations, and the achievements we have made along the way stand as strong testaments to our vision to become an Entrepreneurial Research University with High Global Impact.

During my visit to China in April, where I attended the 130th anniversary celebrations of Xi’an Jiaotong University, we had the opportunity to meet with university leaders from around the world and exchange views on the future of higher education and the role AI will play in this massive transformation. Our engagement with the University Alliance of the Silk Road and our discussions on research collaborations also opened new avenues to further strengthen Özyeğin University’s position within the global research community.

Another important milestone in strengthening our international visibility was the THE European Universities Summit, which brought together leading higher education executives from across Europe. The summit’s discussions on the transformation of higher education, the evolving role of research universities, artificial intelligence, interdisciplinary education and research, sustainability, and international collaboration once again underscored that universities have a responsibility not only to advance knowledge, but also to translate that knowledge into economic and social impact.

The AI Platform meeting we hosted in June connected academia, the business community, and the technology ecosystem on a shared platform. The discussions gave us an opportunity to explore the multidimensional transformation driven by AI not only in technology, but also across education, entrepreneurship, research, and social impact.

Strengthening our research capacity through new research centers has been one of the most important steps we have taken in recent months toward our goal of becoming a university that creates global impact by addressing complex global challenges. These new centers are important building blocks of our research ecosystem that supports interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerates scientific discovery, and encourages research with the potential for high global impact. We believe that the true value of research lies not only in academic publications, but in outcomes that create value for both society and industry. We are placing this principle at the heart of all our research activities.

The connections we have built around the world extend far beyond academic collaboration. The alumni gathering we hosted in Milan, which I was also pleased to attend, once again reminded us of the importance of maintaining a strong bond with our alumni around the world. Seeing the impact our graduates are making across industries and countries has given us a close-up view of how OzU’s educational philosophy and entrepreneurial approach resonate on the international stage. It was a particular source of pride to see our first-place ranking in the TÜMA Graduate Satisfaction Survey stand as a testament to the strong bond we share with our alumni. The close relationships our graduates maintain with their alma mater and their satisfaction with their overall university experience at OzU speak to the value of the student-centered approach we have embraced.

Connecting with the young people who will define the world of tomorrow is just as important to me as building international partnerships. That is why I find it immensely valuable to meet with students at different high schools, listen to their questions on everything from AI and entrepreneurship to research and career planning, share in their aspirations, and exchange ideas about the future of higher education. The curiosity of young people, their questioning perspectives, and their eagerness to embrace change remind us, at every encounter, of our responsibility as a university to help build a better tomorrow.

At Özyeğin University, we forge ahead with unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge, expanding our research capacity, strengthening our international partnerships, and translating the knowledge we create into lasting social impact. Because the universities that chart the course ahead are those that go beyond adapting to change and have the vision to build what comes next. I would like to thank all our faculty, students, alumni, staff, and stakeholders whose hard work and dedication make this journey possible. I invite you to explore our latest research and initiatives featured in this issue of Beyond.

With my warmest regards,
Prof. Barış Tan
President