The core of our university’s mission is internationalization within the research innovation learning and teaching strategies and it describes the key elements of the internationalization strategy is prioritizing quality to the university's strategy. Partners of the Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) are chosen according to the syllabus, course, outlines, the language of education of the related subject areas of the prospective partner institution. The University has one hundred Erasmus bilateral agreements, twenty general agreements for cooperation and exchange with different European Union countries, twenty-four various agreements such as the memorandum of understanding. Moreover, the University has visited student agreements with non-EU countries and targeting to increase the number of agreements to improve the studying mobility of individuals. Establishing agreements between new partners in new geographical areas is the basic concern of IGU.
IGU is not interested in merely providing a study abroad experience to students in EU and non-EU countries, IGU constantly looking and choosing the partners that share its mission of supporting and improving the lives of students and future leaders. IGU strengthening links between EU and non-EU countries. As well as believes in strategic partnerships between higher education institutions in different countries as it is increasing international experience and improving different language skills.
Today’s Istanbul is a vibrant metropolitan city of more than 14 million citizens with a wide spectrum of economic, industrial and cultural activities, which makes it an ideal setting for educational and cultural studies. Located in Istanbul is giving special attraction to IGU for incoming students and staff. IGU has adopted and promoted students and staff from EU countries. To improve the mobility of individuals and to attract students at all levels from both EU and non-EU countries, IGU develops strategic research partnerships, participates in multilateral projects and thematic networks. IGU hosts today a large number of courses; including associate level, four year BS level and master degree and doctorate courses, which cooperate with leading organizations in their fields to achieve global success and attaches great importance to internationalization, have been examined in detail by international delegations commissioned by German, British and American Accreditation Organizations such as AQAS, AHPGS, ABET and PEARSON and accredited. In order to raise the quality of services, one of the main objectives of IGU is to establish a buddy system to support mobile incoming students. IGU is focusing on information technologies leading towards e-learning and the Continuing Education Center supports the Life Long Learning.
The University also supports the mutual visits of European universities and meetings that are held to further facilitate mobility and joint projects. Attending higher education fairs extends the scope of internationalization and helps increase the number of partners from different geographical areas. IGU ensures non-discrimination once an incoming Erasmus student arrives she/he receives maximum hospitality, including immediate equal access to all the same university facilities enjoyed by local students. Special orientation meetings are held with incoming students for enabling their fast integration into the university and its environment; Moreover, every incoming student has a specific academic adviser (Erasmus Departmental Coordinator) to answer their questions from registration until departure. Academic advisers are also touched with their counterparts at the home university in order to solve queries of students when necessary. The University supports all the international activities for exchange students, staff, and conferences through the highly experienced, qualified staff. At the end of each study period “Erasmus Satisfaction Survey” is given to all incoming students and they are all evaluated for new innovations. As the Bologna Process has been implemented by the IGU, full recognition of courses, transcripts in ECTS credits, grades and Diploma Supplement are given to incoming/outgoing students. IGU is definitely interested in participating in a consortium to take part in student placements and the University has also placed students into the private/public sector for their practical training for years. At IGU the highest quality in academic mobility is widely supported in second and third cycles as well; curriculum development, research programs.
