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1. Project Title
Development of Science and Higher Education Diplomacy Initiative (BİYED)

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2. Project Owner
Institute for Economic Development and Social Research (İKSAD)

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3. Duration
Project Initiation Year: 2016
Pilot Phase for Candidate Institutions: 12 months (with potential for renewal)

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4. General Objective
To enhance the international visibility of Türkiye’s scientific capacity and higher education potential, and to establish science diplomacy as an effective strategic instrument through collaborative research, joint academic initiatives, and scholarly exchange.

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5. Rationale
In recent years, İKSAD has organized numerous scientific activities and international events across multiple continents, published in various languages, and established academic protocols with universities at multiple levels.
This expansive global network of interaction now renders the establishment of active collaborations between Turkish higher education institutions and their international counterparts both necessary and feasible.

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6. Project Objectives

  • To strengthen the global academic engagement capacity of Turkish universities

  • To promote the development of joint international research projects and publications

  • To institutionalize science diplomacy as a strategic component of Türkiye’s soft power

  • To establish sustainable academic relations with institutions in both developed and developing countries

 

7. Targeted Regions for Collaborative Networks
Activities and partnerships will span across Asia and the Pacific, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Balkans, the Turkic World and neighboring regions, and Oceania.
These engagements include international congresses, bilateral academic protocols, scientific publishing initiatives, cultural diplomacy projects, youth researcher camps, and scientific award ceremonies.

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8. Core Activities

  • Annual International Science Diplomacy Forums (hosted in a different country each year)

  • Academic Pairing Program between Turkish and foreign universities

  • Thematic academic journals in English, French, Spanish, and Russian

  • "Science Ambassadors Program" for early-career researchers

  • Annual Science Diplomacy Report

  • İKSAD Science Diplomacy Awards

 

9. Anticipated Outcomes

  • Establishment of a “Science Diplomacy Consortium” involving over 300 universities and research centers across 60 countries

  • Joint academic events and co-publications with higher education institutions in these countries

  • International protocols with network-affiliated universities

  • A digital infrastructure to support academic mobility programs

  • A series of thematic scientific books and international journals

 

10. Benefits for Participating Universities
Universities that join the Science Diplomacy Platform will gain access to:

 

Enhanced International Visibility​

  • Member universities will be promoted at international congresses and forums.

  • They will be featured in English and multilingual promotional reports prepared by İKSAD.

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Integration into a Global Academic Network

  • They will benefit from İKSAD’s international cooperation network operating in over 60 countries.

  • They will gain direct access to opportunities for joint projects, publications, and academic exchanges.

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Hosting Joint Scientific Events

  • Member universities may host international symposiums, workshops, and thematic congresses.

  • The platform provides institutional support and organizational resources for such events.

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Internationalization of Academic Publishing

  • Partner universities may contribute to multi-language book and journal projects under the auspices of İKSAD and its affiliates.

  • Faculty members will attain greater visibility in publications indexed internationally.

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New Horizons for Early-Career Academics

Research assistants and PhD students will have the opportunity to participate in international summer schools and the “Young Science Ambassadors” program.

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Increased Institutional Prestige

  • Participation will contribute to the university’s internationalization strategies.

  • It supports visibility and international cooperation indicators within ranking systems such as YÖKAK, THE, and QS.

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Development of New Protocols and Partnerships (Erasmus+-like)

  • The platform will facilitate streamlined protocol processes with newly introduced institutions.

  • Opportunities for partnership in EU, Asia-Pacific, and bilateral exchange programs will be expanded.

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Science Diplomacy Representation

  • Selected universities may assume regional or thematic representative roles within the platform.

  • This offers international offices and foreign relations units a new diplomatic and academic engagement avenue.

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