ITU to Host "EUR-ACE Connect 2026 Forum" in June

The EUR-ACE Connect 2026 Forum, hosted by Istanbul Technical University (ITU), will bring together international stakeholders in the field of engineering education at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center on June 4–5, 2026.

Prior to the EUR-ACE Connect 2026 Forum, the event will take on a two-phase structure with a 25-person workshop to be held on June 2–4, 2026.

The forum will be organized in collaboration with the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI), the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions (LACCEI), the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Engineering Programs (MÜDEK), and EELISA.

Designed differently from a traditional conference format, the organization aims to create a human- and idea-focused network for academics, institutional representatives, and stakeholders who want to develop projects in the fields of engineering education, research, innovation, and international collaborations. Participants will be able to share their project ideas, find international partners, and initiate concrete collaborations.

Within the scope of the forum, topics such as internationalization and visibility, student and academic mobility, joint and double degree programs, program objectives and learning outcomes, global employability, joint education projects, research collaborations, academic development, and inter-institutional cooperation will be addressed through interactive sessions.

One of the key components of the event is the lightning talk sessions, where participants will be able to present their projects and collaboration calls in 5-minute presentations. They will also be able to schedule 20-minute one-on-one matching meetings via a dedicated mobile app for the event, enabling direct contact.

The workshop to be held prior to the forum will focus on training accreditation and quality assurance experts for engineering programs. Participants who successfully complete the two-and-a-half-day specialized workshop, conducted in English and in person, will receive an international certificate and the title of “Expert Candidate.” After participating in accreditation visits, they will have the opportunity to transition to “Active Expert” status.

The EUR-ACE Connect 2026 Forum, which aims to increase international interaction in the field of engineering education, is expected to lay the groundwork for lasting collaborations between academic institutions and stakeholders.

For more information:

• EUR-ACE Connect 2026 Website: https://www.b2match.com/e/eur-ace-connect-2026
• ITU Communications Officer: Dr. Lale Erdem Atılgan – erdeml@itu.edu.tr