Elif Yaprak Gulcan

Dokuz Eylül University (DEU), founded in 1982, has a long-standing tradition of serving as a hub for research and education, particularly in the Aegean region. The university aspires to make a substantial impact on the advancement of higher education institutions both nationally and internationally. With a diverse academic community comprising 69,644 students from across Türkiye and 4,616 international students from 108 different countries, DEU is one of the largest universities in the country. DEU encompasses 18 faculties, 2 graduate schools, 10 institutes, 1 state conservatory, 3 schools, 6 vocational schools, and 48 research and application centers. Its faculties include: Faculty of Education Faculty of Business Faculty of Maritime Faculty of Architecture Faculty of Science Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Letters Faculty of Tourism Faculty of Fine Arts Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty of Nursing Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Faculty of Law Faculty of Sports Sciences Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Theology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine The university fosters a dynamic scientific environment, supported by 6,272 academic staff members, including 1,462 professors, 980 associate professors, 1,664 assistant professors, 612 lecturers, and 903 research assistants. Aligning its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), DEU continues to enhance its global academic standing. The university has been ranked within the 101–200 range in the THE Impact Rankings under the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure category, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and research excellence. DEU maintains bilateral academic collaborations with 68 higher education and research institutions worldwide and has extensive experience in research and project development in the social sciences, engineering, and health sciences. Furthermore, in recognition of its high academic and institutional standards, the Higher Education Quality Board awarded DEU the Institutional Accreditation Certificate as part of the 2021 Institutional Accreditation Program. In 2021, the Council of Higher Education designated DEU as a Research University based on 32 distinct performance indicators under the categories of "research capacity," "research quality," and "interaction and cooperation." DEU is among the top 20 state universities in Türkiye and has played an active role in 8 Erasmus+ projects and 11 EU-funded research projects over the past three years, serving as eit