International Sustainability Collaborations

Mersin University actively engages in international sustainability collaborations that strengthen its commitment to global environmental responsibility. Through partnerships with international institutions and participation in joint research projects, the university enhances its sustainability programs, promotes knowledge exchange, and contributes to innovative solutions addressing global ecological challenges.

Faculty of Science Prof. Dr. Emrah Kırdök’s coordinated team sheds light on the diseases and dietary patterns of the period from the DNA obtained from Stone Age chewing gum   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/381658/fen-fakultesi-ogretim-elemanimiz-dr-ogr-uyesi-emrah-kirdokun-koordinesindeki-ekip-tas-devrinden-kalma-sakizdan-elde-edilen-dnadan-donemin-hastaliklarina-ve-beslenme-sekillerine-isik-tutuyor   Description: “Our university conducts international collaborations as part of its sustainability programs. A notable example is the ancient chewing gum analysis project conducted at Huseby Klev, located on the western coast of Scandinavia, dating back approximately 9700 years. In partnership with Stockholm University, this study aims to shed light on the dietary habits and health conditions of a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer group through the metagenomic analysis of chewed birch tree resins. The research revealed that this community consumed reindeer, trout, and nuts, and identified that one individual suffered from periodontal disease. Coordinated by Dr. Emrah Kırdök, this project required the use of innovative computational methods to analyze ancient DNA sequences. With contributions from Dr. Andrés Aravena of Istanbul University, this multidisciplinary approach enhances our understanding of sustainability by examining human-nature interactions from the past, which helps develop modern conservation strategies. Such international collaborations promote knowledge sharing to address universal sustainability challenges and offer innovative solutions.

Silk Road and Beyond Congress Series SIRCON 2024   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/384461/ipek-yolu-ve-otesi-kongre-serisi-sircon-2024-universitemiz-ev-sahipliginde-basladi   Description: Mersin University hosted the SIRCON 2024 Congress, themed “One Belt, One Road: Language, Human Capital, and Cultural Heritage.” This event brought together a diverse array of international scholars and researchers to address significant economic, social, cultural, and historical issues linked to the Silk Road. Collaborating institutions included Necmettin Erbakan University and Uzbekistan’s Alfraganus University, showcasing the importance of cross-border academic partnerships.   The congress facilitated discussions around historical connections and contemporary collaborations among Turkish and Uzbek institutions, aiming to enhance cultural exchanges and academic contributions in various fields, including science, education, and culture. The involvement of scholars from different disciplines will further enrich the academic landscape and provide opportunities for shared learning and innovation.   The congress serves as a vital platform for strengthening ties between countries, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting sustainable practices. By revisiting the Silk Road’s legacy, participants are encouraged to explore new avenues for collaboration that will benefit future generations. This initiative aligns with Mersin University’s commitment to sustainability and global partnerships, illustrating how historical legacies can inform and inspire contemporary sustainability efforts.

Future English Language Teachers Develop 21st Century Skills with the European Union E-Twinning ITE Project   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/384521/gelecegin-ingilizce-ogretmen-adaylari-avrupa-birligi-e-twinning-ite-projesi-ile-21-yuzyil-becerilerini-gelistirdi   Description: “The “Future English Teacher Candidates Developed 21st Century Skills with the European Union E-Twinning ITE Project” event concluded successfully. Coordinated by Dr. Özge Kutlu Demir from Mersin University’s Faculty of Education and Dr. Beata Durackova along with Nikola Lehotska from Constantine the Philosopher University in Slovakia, the EU E-Twinning ITE project involved a virtual collaboration called “Beyond Borders: Virtual Collaboration of Future English Teachers” from February to May 2024. During this initiative, 62 English teacher candidates from both institutions worked together to enhance their language skills and cultural awareness. A closing ceremony was held to present participation certificates to the teacher candidates, who will publish their collaborative outputs in the journal titled “ENJOY” with an ISSN number.”

Merkam Took Part In The Scientific Meeting On “Women And Sustainability” At The 7th International Gülnar Science And Culture Events   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/386550/merkam-7-uluslararasi-gulnar-bilim-ve-kultur-etkinliklerinde-kadin-ve-surdurulebilirlik-temali-bilimsel-toplantida-yer-aldi   Description: The 7th International Gülnar Science and Culture Events, held from August 25 to 30, 2024, were organized under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ayşe Çalık Ross from Kocaeli University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Archaeology. This year’s event took place in Gülnar, Mersin, hosting various academic and cultural encounters and attracting participation from numerous institutions and organizations, including academics from various national and international universities.   As part of the event, Mersin University’s Women’s Issues Application and Research Center (MERKAM) and the Yörük Culture Application and Research Center (YORMER) participated in a scientific meeting themed “Women and Sustainability.” MERKAM Director Assoc. Prof. Aysun Yaralı Akkaya presented a talk titled “The Gender of Participation: The Role of Women in Political Transformation.” Before her presentation, she shared insights about MERKAM’s activities and expressed her happiness at being part of this comprehensive event in Gülnar.   YORMER Director Assoc. Prof. İmran Gündüz Alptürker provided detailed information about Yörük culture in his presentation titled “Traditional Healing Practices in Yörük Culture: Healing Women.” Following this, MERKAM’s Assoc. Prof. Canan Dural Tasouji shared her work titled “Lives Echoing in the Circle: Digital Stories from Women,” while Dr. Pelin Kılınç Özüölmez presented a study entitled “An Examination of Maternal Visibility Regarding Social Validation Expectations on Instagram: #IAmAMother.”

Our University Signed MediCoRe Memorandum of Understanding with 34 Universities from 16 Mediterranean Countries   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/384559/universitemiz-16-akdeniz-ulkesinden-34-universitenin-olusturdugu-medicore-mutabakatina-imza-atti   Description: Our university has actively engaged in international collaborations to promote sustainability and resilience in the Mediterranean region. One notable initiative is the signing of the Mediterranean Community Resilience (MediCoRe) memorandum of understanding, held in Bari, Italy, in cooperation with 34 universities from 16 Mediterranean countries. MediCoRe focuses on developing engineering solutions to address environmental and human-induced damages in the Mediterranean basin while prioritizing sustainability. The collaboration, led by the Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, and Chemical Engineering at Bari Polytechnic University, aims to foster joint educational projects and coordinated research activities across Mediterranean universities and institutions.   Representing our university, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Emre Akın, and Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Güler from the Department of Geological Engineering participated in the meeting. In addition to the MediCoRe agreement, ERASMUS mobility agreements were signed with European Union member universities, and bilateral partnerships were initiated with universities from non-EU countries. At the first stage, our departments of Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Chemical Engineering will be involved in this collaboration, with plans to expand the scope to other relevant disciplines in the future.

A Joint Student Workshop was held between our Faculty of Architecture and Kassel University in Germany   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/384725/mimarlik-fakultemiz-ile-almanya-kassel-universitesi-is-birliginde-ortak-ogrenci-calistayi-gerceklestirildi   Description: Our university has successfully completed a student exchange program in collaboration with Kassel University’s Faculty of Architecture, Urban and Landscape Planning, supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Kassel Municipality. The program aimed to foster academic exchanges between Germany and Turkey while enhancing students’ professional and technical skills.   Faculty members Dr. Yasemin Sarıkaya Levent, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tolga Levent, and Prof. Dr. Nida Naycı represented our university, alongside Kassel University faculty and Kassel Municipality experts. Fifteen undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. students from our City and Regional Planning and Architecture departments participated in the program, which included technical tours and an applied workshop titled “Sustainable Urban Renewal and Application of Innovative Planning Instruments.” The workshop involved developing sustainable urban strategies for challenging urban areas. The project outcomes were shared with stakeholders through student presentations at Kassel University.

A Cooperation Protocol was signed between our University and Kazakhstan Shaysultan Shayakhmetov “Til-Qazyna” National Science and Application Center   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/384846/universitemiz-ile-kazakistan-saysultan-sayakhmetov-til-qazyna-ulusal-bilim-ve-uygulama-merkezi-arasinda-is-birligi-protokolu-imzalandi   Description: Our university signed a cooperation protocol with Kazakhstan’s Shaisultan Shaikhmetov “Til-Qazyna” National Science and Application Center. This collaboration, initiated by our Technology Transfer Office (TTO), aims to strengthen partnerships with universities in Turkic Republics, particularly in the field of education. The signing ceremony, held on June 7, was attended by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, who emphasized the university’s commitment to expanding international collaborations in various areas, starting with education.

Bilateral Cooperation and Joint Project Proposal Between Our University and China Agricultural University and Hetao College   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/385878/universitemiz-ile-china-agricultural-university-ve-hetao-college-arasinda-ikili-is-birligi-ve-ortak-proje-teklifi-saglandi   Description: Our university’s Faculty of Science, Biotechnology Department, led by Prof. Dr. Faheem Shehzad Baloch, facilitated a bilateral agreement between our Biotechnology Department, the Wheat Genetics and Genomics Center at the Agriculture University of China, and Hetao College in Inner Mongolia, China. This collaboration focuses on the ‘T-to-T Wheat Genome’ project, aimed at decoding the wheat genome to develop climate-resilient wheat varieties. In addition to strengthening scientific collaborations between Turkey and China, the project promotes research publication in high-impact journals and fosters student and academic staff exchange programs between the two countries.

Erasmus Cooperation Agreement Signed Between Our University and Complutense de Madrid University   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/386094/universitemiz-ile-complutense-de-madrid-universitesi-arasinda-erasmus-is-birligi-anlasmasi-imzalandi   Description: Our university signed an Erasmus agreement with Complutense de Madrid University, ranked 164th globally, through a collaboration led by Dr. Gürbüz Çomak from the Department of Chemical Engineering. This agreement facilitates bilateral cooperation and student exchange programs, allowing our students to study at one of Spain’s most prestigious institutions, while also welcoming Complutense de Madrid University students to experience the dynamic and innovative environment of our university. This partnership strengthens our international collaboration efforts and enhances academic mobility for sustainable educational development.

IV. International Symposium on Academic Studies in Education and Culture in Anamur   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/386923/anamurda-gerceklestirilen-iv-uluslararasi-egitimde-ve-kulturde-akademik-calismalar-sempozyumu-sona-erdi Description: The IV. International Symposium on Academic Studies in Education and Culture held in Anamur has concluded successfully. The event brought together scholars, educators, and researchers to share insights and discuss various topics related to education and culture. Participants presented their findings, engaged in fruitful discussions, and explored innovative approaches to challenges in the field. The symposium fostered collaboration and networking among attendees, promoting the exchange of ideas and best practices. Overall, it was a significant gathering that highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue in enhancing educational and cultural studies.

Faculty of Science, Department of Biotechnology Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Faheem Shehzad Baloch has been selected as a Visiting Professor at South Korea’s prestigious Brain Pool Program   https://mersin.edu.tr/haberler/386982/fen-fakultesi-biyoteknoloji-bolumu-ogretim-uyemiz-prof-dr-faheem-shehzad-baloch-guney-korenin-prestijli-brain-pool-programina-misafir-profesor-olarak-secildi Description: We are excited to announce that Prof. Dr. Faheem Shehzad Baloch from the Biotechnology Department at our Faculty of Science has been accepted as a Professor under the BRAIN POOL program at Jeju National University in South Korea. This prestigious program, supported by the South Korean government, selects only 100 top scientists globally each year. Starting in October 2024, Prof. Dr. Baloch will conduct research on “Evaluation Of Buckwheat Germplasm Using Genomics And Artificial Intelligence Based Phenomic.” This project aims to use artificial intelligence for advanced phenotyping and DNA sequencing of buckwheat genetic resources. The bioinformatics analysis will help identify genes that enhance agronomic and physiological traits to mitigate climate change impacts. Success in this project could lead to effective marker-assisted selection in buckwheat breeding, supporting sustainable agriculture. Prof. Dr. Baloch’s efforts contribute to our commitment to sustainability and strengthen our international collaborations in agricultural biotechnology.