International Academic Cooperation Initiative from Istanbul Gelisim University as Part of China Visit

Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Can Koç, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Istanbul Gelisim University, paid an official visit to China upon the invitation of Prof. Hüseyin Gümüş, Education Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Beijing. As part of the visit, Assoc. Prof. Koç attended the 5th Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the Culture and Friendship Reception for Diplomats, and initiated cooperation talks with three different universities. Throughout the visit, he engaged in significant meetings aimed at strengthening Istanbul Gelisim University’s international academic collaborations.

Discussions with Beijing Language and Culture University on Chinese Education and a Dictionary of Sports Terminology

Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Can Koç’s first visit was to Beijing Language and Culture University. Alongside discussions on academic cooperation, the topics included the establishment of a Confucius Institute within Istanbul Gelisim University to promote Chinese culture in Türkiye, as well as the opening of a Chinese language program within the School of Foreign Languages.

The meetings concluded with a mutual agreement to prepare a Chinese–Turkish Sports Terminology Dictionary.

IGU Highlights Educational Diplomacy and Joint Projects

Invited to both the 5th Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the Culture and Friendship Reception for Diplomats, Assoc. Prof. Koç held important discussions with Sichuan University to strengthen international academic cooperation between Sichuan University and Istanbul Gelisim University.
During the event, Assoc. Prof. Koç delivered a presentation on Istanbul Gelisim University’s educational philosophy, strong academic structure, and internationalization strategies. He expressed a firm commitment to establishing a sister university relationship with Sichuan University, addressing topics including short-term exchange programs for faculty and students, joint scientific research, and collaborative projects. A preliminary protocol was signed during the event.

A Comprehensive Collaboration Process Begins Between Istanbul Gelisim University and Tianjin University of Sport

Within the scope of the China visit, Assoc. Prof. Koç and the delegation of the Education Consultancy Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Beijing visited Tianjin University of Sport on 20 January. Led by Prof. Hüseyin Gümüş, Education Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye, the delegation met with Zhao Xia, Standing Committee Member of the University Party Committee and Vice President of Tianjin University of Sport.
The delegation received comprehensive information on Tianjin University of Sport’s academic structure, its vision for cultivating qualified human resources, scientific research, and community engagement activities. They also had the opportunity to visit the Sports Rehabilitation Laboratory and the Digital Physical Performance Laboratory.

The meeting particularly focused on the rehabilitation processes of individuals with disabilities. Assoc. Prof. Koç provided detailed information on the Exercise and Sports Sciences for Individuals with Disabilities program at the IGU Faculty of Sport Sciences. During the technical inspections, both sides exchanged information on current research conducted in sports sciences and rehabilitation for individuals with special needs. Vice President Zhao Xia also expressed their intention to host international conferences and symposiums and emphasized their goal of implementing concrete projects in the near future.

Ambassador Selçuk Ünal Welcomes Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Can Koç

Selçuk Ünal, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Beijing, welcomed Assoc. Prof. Koç at the Embassy. The meeting addressed Istanbul Gelisim University’s academic initiatives in China, the internationalization objectives of higher education, and ways to strengthen educational diplomacy between the two countries.

IGU Continues to Strengthen Its Internationalization Vision

The visits conducted by Assoc. Prof. Koç demonstrate that Istanbul Gelisim University’s academic relations with Asian universities have entered a new phase. By deepening its international collaborations in student and faculty exchange, joint education programs, scientific research, and sports culture, Istanbul Gelisim University continues its determined efforts toward becoming an innovative, visionary university with strong global competitiveness, successfully representing Turkish higher education on international platforms.