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THE ROLE OF EURASIAN SILK ROAD UNIVERSITIES CONSORTIUM IN TURKISH & ARAB UNIVERSITIES COLLABORATION

Hikmet KOÇAKPresident of Atatürk University,

ESRUC Consortium & Turkic Universities Union

http://esruc.atauni.edu.tr

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OUTLINE

• About Silk Road• About Erzurum• About Atatürk University• About ESRUC & Turkic University Union• Objectives of ESRUC• Activities of ESRUC• Projects of ESRUC• What can be done in collaboration with Arab Universities?• How to be an Institutional Member of ESRUC?• Upcoming ESRUC Annual Meeting

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HISTORY • Since the early centuries B.C, the historical Silk Road, beginning from China via

Anatolia and Mediterranean towards Europe has been the route of 8000 km for not only merchants but also the route to carry knowledge, armed forces, ideas, religious beliefs and cultural values from East to West and West to East.

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• In the history of the world, the most important role of the ancient Silk Road was that it established a bridge between eastern and western cultures.

• The rich civilization of the east was a source to develop the trade between east and west.

• Civilizations located on the Silk Road established more profound relations with each other. Without doubt, trade between the east and the west developed; and economic activities and interactions in the modern sense occurred in this period.

• Silk Road is revitalized in trade as well as in historical and cultural values after the reformation of borders in the last few decades.

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• Erzurum, one of the geographical & strategic centers of Anatolia, has drawn attention with ever increasing potential for trade, education & culture within the Silk Road since very early times.

• Erzurum became an active commercial center especially due to the use of Tabriz- Trabzon and İzmir Silk Road under the Ottoman rule.

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• Ataturk University was established on the historical Silk Road in 1957 as a land grant university in collaboration with Nebraska University. It has a fame in Turkey as “a university founding universities”. It is one of the oldest universities ranking in the top 10 in almost every aspect in Turkey.

• Atatürk University has 21 Faculties, 7 Institutes, 1 Conservatory, 2 Colleges, 12 Vocational Colleges and 20 Research and Application Centers. It is equipped with very sophisticated laboratories, libraries, and a techno-park, serving 60.000 students on campus and 55.000 in distance education. 1500 of on campus students are international students coming from 30 different countries. Atatürk University has 2600 Academic Staff & 3500 Administrative Personnel. It has a research hospital with 1460 beds serving the patients not only from the city and the region but also from neighbouring countries. The hospital has organ transplant, IVF and bone marrow units as well as all branches of medical treatments.

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EURASIAN SILK ROAD UNIVERSITIES CONSORTIUM (ESRUC)

Eurasian Silk Road Universities Consortium (ESRUC) was founded with the collaboration of nearly 150 universities from France to Malaysia, and from Mongolia to Yemen in 2010. The first three ESRUC meetings were held in Erzurum and the fourth one was held at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, India lastyear. The fifth meeting will be held in Mongolia this year. The presidency of ESRUC is undertaken by Atatürk University.

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TURKIC UNIVERSITY UNION

Turkic University Union was founded with the collaboration of universities from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey in 2013 to enable universities in the Turkic Countries to compete in every field with the world universities.

It was initiated by the founding presidents of Türk Keneşi (Turkic Council). Participating universities elected Ataturk University as the first chairman of the Union.

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EURASIAN SILK ROAD UNIVERSITIES CONSORTIUM ANNUAL MEETINGS

• 1st Eurasian Silk Road Universities Convention (New Approaches and Collaborations in Higher Education, 28-31 May, 2010, Erzurum)25 international proceedings from 50 Universities within 18 Countries

• 2nd Eurasian Silk Road Universities Convention (Bridging Cultures in Higher Education: Seeking for an Eurasian Model and Development of ESRUC Consortium, 03-06 June 2011, Erzurum)44 international proceedings from 127 Universities within 27 Countries. **ESRUC Consortium was formed with the participation of 150 Universities

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FORUMS (1)•1st Winter Summit at the Anatolian Summit)

(WISAS)“Collaborative Projects on Tourism, Sports,Biodiversity and Global Changes”, Atatürk

University, Erzurum, 23-26 February 2012

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International Eastern Anatolia and South Caucasus Cultures Symposium (EASC)

10-13 October 2012, Erzurum

13 Countries136 Participants119 Proceedings

FORUMS (2)

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FORUMS (3)NANO-TR Conference, 24-28 June 2013

Erzurum, Turkey

800 international proceedings

1040 participants from 28 Countries

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• 3rd Eurasian Silk Road Universities Convention “Most Succesful Projects in your Administration” 13-15 October, 2012. Erzurum

Representatives of the ESRUC Members introduced particular projects of their universities.

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4th Eurasian Silk Road Universities Convention “Investigating the Social, Cultural and Global Issues along the

Silk Road” 1-3 November, 2013, Bhubaneswar-India

With the participation of 50 Universities

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND MEMBER INSTITUTIONS OF CONSORTIUM : Participating Countries and Universities

From 29 Countries , over 150 UniversitiesAfghanistan Khurasan Institute of Higher Education Afghanistan Bakhter Institute of Higher Education Afghanistan Kabul Polytechnic University Afghanistan University of Bakhter Afghanistan Afghanistan Information Management Services Albania Epoka University Albania Agricultural University of Tirana Albania Vlora University Tirana Albania University of Tirana Albania Sport University of Tirana Albania Aleksander Moisiu Universty Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Qafqaz University Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Tourism Institute Azerbaijan Azerbaijan State Agrarian University Azerbaijan Nakhchivan State University Azerbaijan Azerbaijan State Oil Academy Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Medical University Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Teachers Institute Bangladesh University of Information Technology and Sciences Bangladesh American International University Bangladesh Southeast University Bangladesh Daffodil International University Bashkortostan Zeynep Biyişeva Sterlitamak State Pedagogical Academy Bashkortostan Bashkir State University Bashkortostan Bashkir State Agrarian University Bosnia Herzegovina International Burch University Canada Management Institue of Canada (MIC) Crimea Crimean State Engineering and Pedagogy University Egypt Al -Azhar University France University of Rouen France FISU -International University Sports Federation

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Georgia Akhaltsikhe State Education University Georgia Akhalkalaki State Higher Educational Institution Georgia International Black Sea University Georgia Tbilisi State University Georgia Tbilisi State Medical University Georgia Shota Rustaveli State University Georgia Ilia State University Hungary University of West Hungary India KIIT University Iran University of Tabriz Iran Islamic Azad University Salmas Branch Iran University of Tehran Iran Shiraz University Iraq Ishik University Iraq University of Baghdad Iraq University of Mosul Iraq Ministry of Higher Education Iraq University of Al Quadisiya Iraq University of Salahaddin Italy University of Padova Italy Magna Charta Observatory Kazakhstan Academy of Civil Aviation Kazakhstan Automobile Road Goncharov Institute Kazakhstan Karaganda University -Bolashak Kazakhstan Al -Farabi Kazakh National University Kazakhstan Gumilyov Eurasian National Universit y Kyrgyzstan Talas State University Kyrgyzstan Academy of Governance Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan -Turkey Manas University Kyrgyzstan International University of Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Osh State University

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Macedonia FON University Malaysia International Islamic University Malaysia Universiti Putra Malaysia Mongolia National University of Mongolia Morocco Abdelmalek Essaadi University Pakistan Higher Education Commission, Islamabad Pakistan Karachi University Pakistan Quaid-i - Azam University,Islamabad Pakistan International Islamic University Pakistan Preston Institute of Management, Science and Technology Pakistan Institute of Southern Punjab Romania Lumina University Saudi Arabia King Fahad Medical City Tajikistan Tajik Agrarian University Ukraine Kherson State University

Yemen University of Science & Technology Türkiye Council of Higher Education Türkiye TUBITAK Türkiye The Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) Türkiye Atatürk University Türkiye Abant Izzet Baysal University Türkiye Afyon Kocatepe University Türkiye Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University Türkiye Ahi Evran University Türkiye Akdeniz University Türkiye Ardahan University Türkiye Bartın University Türkiye Bayburt University Türkiye Bitlis Eren University Türkiye Bingöl University Türkiye Celal Bayar University

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Türkiye Cumhuriyet University Türkiye Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Türkiye Dicle University Türkiye Düzce University Türkiye Erzincan University Türkiye Erzurum Technical University Türkiye Fatih University Türkiye Fırat University Türkiye Gazikent University Türkiye Giresun University Türkiye Gümüşhane University Türkiye Hitit University Türkiye Igdır University Türkiye International Antalya University Türkiye İnönü University Türkiye Istanbul University Türkiye Kars Kafkas University Türkiye Kırıkkale University Türkiye Kilis 7 Aralık University Türkiye Kocaeli University Türkiye Marmara University Türkiye Medeniyet University Türkiye Melikşah University Türkiye Mevlana University Türkiye Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar University Türkiye Muş Alpaslan University Türkiye Nevşehir University Türkiye Osmaniye Korkut Ata University Türkiye Pamukkale University Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Türkiye Süleyman Şah University Türkiye Tunceli University Türkiye Trakya University Türkiye Uşak University Türkiye Yalova University Türkiye Yunus Emre Institute Türkiye Yüzüncü Yıl University Türkiye Zirve University

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ESRUC MEMBER COUNTRIES

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• EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE• Executive committee consists of 10 members from various countries from Italy to Malaysia.

Atatürk University carries out the Presidency and the General Secretariat. The Committee holds its executive meetings prior to annual conferences in different member countries.

Prof.Dr. Hikmet KOÇAK, Atatürk University, Erzurum-Turkey, President of the ESRUC Consortium.

Prof.Dr. Mumtaz AHMAD, International Islamic University, Pakistan Prof.Dr. Alessandro MARTIN, University of Padova, Italy Prof.Dr.Timur-Ochir SANJBERG, Soyol Erdem Institute, Mongolia Prof.Dr. Asılbek AYDARALIEV, International University of Kyrgyzstan Prof.Dr. Jafar Jafarov, Azarbaijan Tourism Institute, Azarbaijan Prof.Dr. Mohd. Saleh JAAFAR, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia Prof.Dr. Zurab VADACHKORIA, Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia Prof.Dr.Satyendra PATNAIK, KIIT University, India Prof.Dr. Sebahattin TÜZEMEN, Atatürk University, Erzurum-Turkey,

ESRUC Secretariat General of the Consortium

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSORTIUM

o Goals

• To provide a “Scientific and Educational Network” for promoting an understanding and value of rich cultural heritage and cultural variety of the ESRUC Members;

• To develop education and learning programs for greater understanding of cultural diversity and cross-cultural connections;

• To engage members in cross-cultural exchanges and cultural activities aimed at fostering intercultural dialogue and bringing together Silk Road cultures for peace and progress;

• To work with the government and other national and international partners to inform policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines related to preservation of cultural heritage;

• To collaborate with the government and other national and international partners to document, preserve and promote ESRUC’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage and academic tradition;

• To organize International Summer and Winter Schools, and Silk Road Youth Festivals.

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Projects: Students and Academics Exchange Programs

Language Programs (English&Turkish)

Science and Education Caravan Project

*Joint Research Projects

*Post-Graduate Programs

Civilization Forums

Science and Technology Forums

Honorary Titles

Al-Khawarizmi Awards

Marco Polo Awards

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WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THE ARAB UNIVERSITIES?

1. All Arab Universities can join in the consortium.

2. Student and staff exchange can be activated within the framework

of ESRUC Exchange Programs.

3. Within the framework of Education and Science Caravan, Joint

Research Projects and Post-Graduate Student Exchange Programs

can be activated between all Turkish, ESRUC and Arab

Universities

4. ESRUC annual and Excutive committee meetings can be held in

Arab Universities.

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HOW TO BE A MEMBER OF ESRUC CONSORTIUM?

• All the universities and higher education institutions of countries along the Silk Road connected by land or sea route are eligible to be the institutional member of the consortium.

• Presently 9 universities from Arabic countries (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq and Yemen) are the members of the consortium.

• The instutional membership form is available online at the web address of http://esruc.atauni.edu.tr

• Signed and scanned forms by the institutional authoroties should be e-mailed to esruc@atauni.edu.tr.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

5th Annual Convention of Eurasian Silk Road Universities Consortium.

“Global and Regional Changes in the Countries along the Silk

Road”, June 24-26, 2014, Ulaanbaatar-Mongolia

FORUMS (4) “Renaissance from East to West”

May 2015, Bitlis Eren University, Bitlis-Turkey

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