Trakya University continues to make visits for the growth of Balkan Universities Association

A VISIT FROM RECTOR PROF. DR. ERHAN TABAKOĞLU TO DEMOCRITUS UNIVERSITY OF THRACE, GREECE

Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu visited Rector of Democritus University of Thrace, Prof. Dr. Aleksandros Ch. Polychronildis due to his new assignment and congratulated on his new position. Vice Rector of Democritus University for International Relations -Dr. Maria Michalopoulou, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs- Prof. Dr. Zoe Gavrilidou, Faculty Member responsible for International Relations Eleni Mavridou and Trakya University International Relations Coordinator Assoc. Prof.Dr. Murat Türkyılmaz joined to the meeting.

Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu emphasized that two universities, which have the same names and where a river passes between them, should cooperate more closely and he congratulated the newly elected Rector Prof. Dr. Aleksandros Ch. Polychronildis by wishing him success. Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu stated that the next meeting of Balkan Universities Association will be held in Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and they also want to see Democritus University of Thrace in the Association during this period when Greece is the Chair of the Board.

In the meeting, where the Balkan Universities Association was introduced by stating that meetings are held respectively in Turkey and Greece, issues such as; organizing joint conferences, preparing the joint master programs for the purpose of meeting and integrating Turkish and Greek students, ensuring joint participation to the conferences and symposiums to be held at both universities by informing the lecturers, and providing the opportunity of mutual internship for Medical Faculty students were consulted.

 BILATERAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN TRAKYA UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE, SERBIA

Trakya University has added a new one to its cooperation agreements and protocols in the field of international education. Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu, who went to the city of Belgrade and had a series of contacts there, visited University of Belgrade and held meetings. Turkish Ambassador in Belgrade- Tanju Bilgicler International Relations Advisor Prof.Dr. Hilmi Ibar and International Relations Coordinator Assoc. Prof.Dr. Murat Türkyılmaz also accompanied Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu during the visit.

The delegate met with the Rector of University of Belgrade Prof. Dr. Ivanka Popović to discuss educational and scientific cooperation and to sign a joint protocol. The meeting aimed to establish bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of education, issues such as; carrying out joint scientific studies by faculty members, cooperating in different fields of education, carrying out joint scientific research, exchanging students and academic staff, producing and executing projects and also arranging a joint scientific and cultural activities were handled and a bilateral cooperation agreement was signed.

Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu delivered a speech in the beginning of the meeting and congratulated Rector Prof. Dr. Ivanka Popović on her new position and he stated that he was pleased to be the first Rector to visit Prof. Dr. Ivanka Popović and said “Because of its mission, Trakya University is the most important institution in this region that focuses on the Balkans. Nearly 3,000 of our international students out of 3.200 are from the Balkans. There are 206 universities in Turkey and these universities are aware of the fact that when it comes to cooperate with Balkans, Trakya University takes the lead. He added that Trakya University is the Permanent Secretariat and founding member of Balkan Universities Association, in which 70 universities are members. We aim to increase the number of member universities from 70 to 100 in a short time. At this point, we hope to see Belgrade University which is one of the oldest universities in the Balkans, among us.

THE COOPERATION PROTOCOL BETWEEN TRAKYA UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES BALTAZAR ZAPRESIC, CROATIA

Trakya University is enhancing its cooperation in international education with every passing day. In this context, a cooperation protocol has been signed between Trakya University and the University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zapresic September 6^th, 2018. The protocol signed by Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu and Rector of the University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zapresic Prof. Dr. Vladimir Simovic aims to establish educational-scientific cooperation and bilateral relations. The protocol includes items such as carrying out joint scientific studies by faculty members, cooperating in different fields of education, carrying out joint scientific research, exchanging students and academic staff, producing and executing joint European Union projects and also arranging joint scientific and cultural activities.

Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu reminded that Trakya University is the Founding Member and Permanent Secretary General of the Balkan Universities Association. He also stated “In parallel with our mission and vision on the Balkans, we are taking the firm steps forward to become the first Turkish University that comes to mind in the Balkans. Every year we increase our number of international students. We are committed to internationalization and being a brand university with programs such as Mevlana, Erasmus and Farabi, as well as bilateral international exchange programs for students and academic staff.

A VISIT FROM TRAKYA UNIVERSITY TO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY VARNA AND VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY

Vice Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Cem Uzun and International Relations Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Türkyılmaz, Vice Rector of Medical University Varna Prof. Dr. Albena Kerekovska, International Relations Officer Siyana Smoletsova and International Relations and Erasmus Program Officers Silvana Dobreva and Svetlana Panayotova met on May 31^st, 2018 in Varna Medical University, Bulgaria.

During the visit, issues such as bilateral exchanges between universities, Erasmus + and Mevlana Program and the Balkan Universities Association were handled, joint research opportunities and projects were discussed. Our delegation stated that they want to create mobility with the departments which offer foreign language education in the Erasmus + program of Varna Free University. Furthermore, after signing the bilateral agreements, plans such as to start mobility of students and instructors, Mevlana Scholarships and educational mobility, Trakya University's Balkan Policy and to increase the number of students in the Balkans were introduced. During the visits, research facilities and periodicals of our university, Trakya University, Edirne, were also introduced.