Esteemed Members of Eastern Mediterranean University Family,
As we conclude another year, I would like to sincerely note that while 2025 was not an easy period for Eastern Mediterranean University, it was a year in which our spirit of solidarity, commitment, and collective responsibility grew stronger. From academic activities and international initiatives to our institutional transformation and the bonds we have strengthened with our students and society, we experienced a year that was demanding, instructive, and deeply meaningful. In this sense, 2025 marked a period in which our university reassessed its priorities, renewed its governance approach, and clarified its vision for the future, extending beyond routine practices and activities. Furthermore, 2025 was characterized by rapid change, uncertainty, and emerging challenges not only for our university, but also for our region, our country, and the wider world. Global developments, ongoing uncertainties, wars and economic fluctuations have further underscored the vital role of universities. In such times, universities serve not merely as centers of education, but as spaces where reason, science, collective wisdom, and hope for the future are nurtured. Eastern Mediterranean University continues to move forward with a strong sense of this responsibility.
Standing as an important academic institution with a multi-cultural character and international outlook since 1979, our University continued throughout 2025 to take meaningful steps toward securing this legacy for the future. The measures implemented to strengthen academic excellence, achieve financial sustainability, and reinforce our institutional structure are clear expressions of this collective commitment. I would like to emphasize with transparency that while some of these decisions were challenging, they were essential for the long-term well-being of our University.
This year, our University hosted significant academic and intellectual gatherings, including the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Workshop, the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Summit, the Turkish Economic Association Congress, and a variety of conferences across the fields of education, tourism, and communication. The participation of distinguished experts contributed significantly to the academic growth of our students. In addition, newly launched programs and the establishment of new faculties and higher education schools enhanced our academic framework, fostering a more dynamic and interdisciplinary environment. Arts, sports and cultural activities also brought vitality, diversity, and richness to campus life.
Guided by our internationalization strategy, 2025 marked a year in which new opportunities emerged. Collaboration protocols established across a wide range of regions—from Azerbaijan and China to Italy, Rwanda, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates—significantly enhanced our global academic engagement. This broad geographical reach underscores Eastern Mediterranean University’s dedication to building a diverse, balanced, and sustainable international academic network rather than concentrating on a single region.
Furthermore, the collaborations developed with public institutions, local governments, and civil society organizations have deepened our University’s connection with both the city and the nation.
Throughout the year, we closely monitored international ranking and assessment systems in which our University performs strongly. We consider platforms such as THE, QS, Shanghai Ranking (ARWU), Nature Index, and GreenMetric not as end goals, but as valuable reference points that help us evaluate our progress objectively and, clearly identify areas for further development. We will continue to use these indicators as complementary instruments that reinforce our University’s academic vision and strategic direction.
I would like to highlight that the driving force behind our University’s ability to endure challenges and look ahead with confidence is the dedication of its people. The global recognition earned by our faculty through their scientific achievements, including their inclusion in Stanford University’s list of the world’s most influential scientists, stands as a meaningful indicator of our institution’s research strength.
The year 2025 marked a period in which artificial intelligence and digitalization were more deeply integrated into university life. We approach digital transformation as a holistic process that enhances students’ learning experiences, streamlines administrative operations, and supports the academic productivity of our faculty members. We are pleased to observe that this approach has had a direct and positive impact on decision-making efficiency, service quality, and academic output. For Eastern Mediterranean University, artificial intelligence and digital transformation are not merely technological choices, but strategic management tools that collectively elevate student experience, academic performance, and institutional decision-making quality.
This year was also characterized by a heightened sense of financial responsibility and a willingness to confront existing realities. I firmly believe that the initiatives aimed at improving resource efficiency and securing financial sustainability will contribute to a stronger and more stable future for our University. This year represents a turning point in which financial issues were no longer deferred, but addressed transparently, prioritized responsibly, and handled within a long-term sustainability framework at Eastern Mediterranean University.
During this process, the dedication and perseverance shown by our academic, administrative, technical, and managerial staff, together with all our employees, played a decisive role in sustaining and advancing our University. This collective effort enabled not only the maintenance of daily operations, but also the effective implementation of decisions and the realization of institutional transformation. I extend my sincere gratitude to each and every member of our University community.
As we look to the future, I am deeply confident that Eastern Mediterranean University will evolve as a robust public knowledge hub integrating science, the arts, digital transformation, and social responsibility. Approaching 2026, I wish to reaffirm my strong belief in our shared capacity to address upcoming challenges together. In the year ahead, our focus will be on deepening our research capacity, strengthening our infrastructure, advancing digitalization through tangible outcomes, and more closely aligning international collaborations with academic productivity.
With these thoughts and sentiments, I would like to thank all members of the Eastern Mediterranean University family. I wish you and your loved ones a New Year marked by good health, peace, and the realization of your hopes.
Kind regards,
Prof. Dr. Hasan KILIÇ
Rector Eastern Mediterranean University