Mardin Artuklu University (MAU) participated in the NAFSA 2026 Education Fair, held in Orlando, United States, from May 26–29, as part of its internationalization strategy, establishing significant contacts with higher education institutions from around the world. The university delegation included Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özcoşar and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serkan Yiğit.

During the fair, which brought together higher education institutions from various countries, the MAU delegation held bilateral meetings with universities from the United States and other nations. As a result of these discussions, several cooperation agreements were signed covering student and academic staff mobility, joint research projects, academic exchange programs, and international partnerships.

The fair also featured the “Study in Türkiye” promotion area, organized under the coordination of the Turkish National Agency, where Turkish higher education institutions had the opportunity to engage with international stakeholders and showcase Türkiye’s potential in higher education.

Rector Özcoşar: “Internationalization Is One of Our Strategic Priorities”

Rector Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özcoşar stated that the NAFSA 2026 Education Fair made a significant contribution to the international visibility of Turkish higher education institutions. He noted that the event, organized under the “Study in Türkiye” umbrella by the Turkish National Agency, was carried out successfully. Özcoşar also expressed his gratitude to İlker Astarcı for his support.

Referring to the fact that the event coincided with the period of Eid al-Adha, Özcoşar emphasized that the holiday dinner held on the first day of the celebration served as a meaningful gathering. He highlighted that such events strengthen solidarity among Turkish universities and contribute significantly to international promotion efforts.

Commenting on the fair, Özcoşar stated:

“As Mardin Artuklu University, we do not view internationalization solely in terms of student and academic mobility. We regard it as a strategic area encompassing joint research, cultural interaction, academic cooperation, and institutional capacity development. The NAFSA 2026 Education Fair has been highly productive in increasing our university’s visibility within the global higher education system and in developing new partnerships. The meetings we held and the agreements we signed during the fair will further strengthen our university’s international academic network.”

Strengthening the Global Academic Network

Özcoşar underlined that Mardin Artuklu University, with its multilingual, multicultural, and interdisciplinary academic structure, possesses strong potential for international collaboration. He stated that the university remains committed to expanding its global academic network through sustained efforts and strategic partnerships.

The meetings and agreements concluded during NAFSA 2026 are expected to contribute significantly to increasing the university’s number of international agreements and enhancing its institutional visibility within the global higher education landscape. The strategic steps taken at the fair are anticipated to yield tangible outcomes in the coming period, particularly in the areas of student and academic mobility, joint academic initiatives, and international project partnerships.