A Joint Vision for the Future from ITU and AzTU

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) hosted a delegation from Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU). During the meetings, held to deepen cooperation in the fields of education and research between the two long-established technical universities, strategic steps were taken across a wide range of areas, from joint doctoral programs to student exchanges.

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is expanding its academic collaborations with the goal of increasing scientific impact, developing human resources, and creating value on a global scale through sustainable partnerships.

A delegation from Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU), one of the leading academic institutions in the brotherly country Azerbaijan, visited our Ayazağa Campus on December 22, 2025. The visit provided a comprehensive opportunity to assess how the two universities can contribute value to the future driven by a culture of collaborative wisdom and collaborative innovation.

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal emphasized that the meeting addressed the establishment of joint doctoral programs, the collaborative definition of interdisciplinary research areas, and the implementation of joint projects. Our Rector underscored his belief that the shared knowledge generated by combining the expertise of both universities in these fields will make high-quality and lasting contributions to the international scientific ecosystem. He noted that the meeting, which showcased an academic approach embracing “co-thinking, co-creation, and co-development” beyond mere protocols for inter-university collaborations, constituted a strategic step toward strengthening a culture of joint research.

In terms of scientific research, the meeting addressed strategic steps to increase the output of high-impact publications. The focus was on co-designing joint supervision and mentorship frameworks, alongside the development of shared research environments. Furthermore, it was also emphasized that the human resources to be jointly trained in thematic areas such as data analysis would strengthen scientific output and form the foundation for lasting collaborations.

The meeting highlighted the significance of collaborative knowledge production across various engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on Mechanical Engineering as well as Control and Automation Engineering.

The AzTU delegation’s visits in Türkiye included not only ITU but also other universities and scientific institutions such as TÜBİTAK BİLGEM.