Coimbra Group Annual Conference and General Assembly which IU Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak runs as Honorary President took place this year between the dates of 7-10th June 2016 in Poities, a city in France.

In the meeting, a conference named “City Universities” took place along with General Assembly and Working Group meetings.

IU Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak exchanged ideas with different university rectors who attended from different countries to Coimbra Group Annual Conference and General Assembly. Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak signed “Poitier Declaration” which was prepared in order to improve the cooperation between Coimbra Group universities and city municipalities they are at.

“Responsibilities of Universities In Relation To Social Problems Were Discussed”

In order to achieve strategical union, rectors and city mayors from different countries came together. Among the prominent subjects were education not only for all the students but also all the people living in cities and education of citizens through cultural access; relations with innovation transformation from research laboratory to socio-economical world and companies; campus integration of cities and buildings policy regarding the space urban planning policy.

“Poiter Declaration” which was prepared to improve the relations between Coimbra Group Universities and the city muncipalities in which they are located was opened for signature. Also, in these three days, the member universities’ collaborations in the field of education and research were discussed as well as the responsibilities of the universities in the face of social problems, especially the education problems of the refugees.

IU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Bayram Mert Savrun, IU International Academic Affairs Chairperson Assoc. Prof. Dr. Y. Yeşim Özer, IU State Conservatory Director, IU. Bilateral-Multiple Relations Coordinator Prof. Dr. Aygül Günaltay, IU Faculty of Letters Academic Member Prof. Dr. Arzu Kunt, IU Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Academic Member Prof. Dr. Ali Ağaçfidan and IU Faculty of Engineering Academic Member Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Selçuk were attended to the Coimbra Group Annual Conference and General Assembly.

About Coimbra Group

The headquarters located in Belgium’s capital city Brussels, Coimbra Group takes its name after University of Coimbra, one of the oldest universities of Europe.

Coimbra Group of Universities, which was founded in 1985 with the association of rooted and respected universities of Europe, offers its member universities the opportunity of making studies about internationalization, academic collaboration, perfection in the fields of education and research and developing associations through establishing academic and cultural ties.

Translators: Zeynep ÇELEBI, Merve Ceren EROĞLU

IU Directorate of Press and Public Relations