We participated in the General Assembly of the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED), of which we are a member, held at the University of Calabria on 9–10 July 2025.

The Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED), headquartered in Rome, is a robust international cooperation network comprising 179 universities and institutes from 25 countries. Among its distinguished membership, which includes only nine universities from Türkiye, Çağ University stands out as the sole higher education institution representing our region since becoming a member in February 2025.

The 2025 UNIMED General Assembly, held on 9–10 July 2025, brought together approximately 150 representatives from member universities and partner institutions. Serving as a key platform for addressing the main challenges and opportunities in higher education across the Euro-Mediterranean region, the General Assembly aims to strengthen academic collaborations in the fields of higher education, research, and innovation. This year's meeting was hosted by the University of Calabria, located in southern Italy, and provided a dynamic environment that encouraged stakeholder engagement and the establishment of new partnerships.

The 2025 session specifically focused on the revitalization of Euro-Mediterranean higher education partnerships. The event held particular significance as it coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process and aligned with the European Union's renewed emphasis on regional cooperation under the framework of the “New Agenda for the Mediterranean.” Furthermore, the Assembly addressed several critical and timely topics, including regional crises, support for at-risk scholars, the integration of artificial intelligence technologies, and the strengthening of cooperation between universities, local governments, and civil society organizations.

Representing our university, Dr. Ayşe Şenay Koç, Faculty Member at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and liaison for UNIMED membership relations, together with Prof. Dr. Eda Yaşa Özeltürkay, R&D Coordinator, participated in the event. They actively contributed to various sessions and collaborative activities, engaging with numerous international stakeholders. These interactions provided opportunities to explore joint project initiatives and participate in ongoing projects. Such engagements have significantly enhanced our university’s global academic outreach and constituted a valuable step toward advancing its vision of excellence.

The 2026 UNIMED General Assembly will be hosted by the University of Barcelona in Spain.