Strengthening ITU's Ties in Djibouti

ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal visited Djibouti between February 23-25, 2025, as part of the International Conference on Energy and Applications (ICEA 2025).

As a research university focused on responsibility and impact, ITU continues to strengthen its international collaborations in higher education, science, and engineering.

ITU's ongoing critical role in Djibouti

The collaboration between ITU and the University of Djibouti began in 2015. Our university established the Departments of Electrical and Civil Engineering at the University of Djibouti and provided graduate-level educational support, including master's and doctoral programs, to Djibouti. Within this framework, ITU academics delivered engineering education in Djibouti and contributed to the training of both skilled engineers and faculty members at the University of Djibouti.

Before his visit to Djibouti, ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal met with Djibouti Ambassador Aden Houssein Abdillahi on February 4 in Ankara. During the meeting, significant consultations were held on the long-standing educational projects between the two countries and potential future endeavors. Prof. Dr. Mandal expressed that the existing cooperation between ITU and the University of Djibouti would be elevated to a higher level and shifted to a research-based framework, reaching a strategic dimension.

From February 23-25, 2025, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal conducted a visit that contributed to the determination of Türkiye and Djibouti to build their futures together.

ITU's collaboration in Djibouti: A significant model for Türkiye

On February 24, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, was received by Djibouti’s Minister of Higher Education and Research, Dr. Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, and met with the President of the University of Djibouti, Dr. Djama Mohamed Hassan. Prof. Dr. Mandal highlighted the 10-year-long academic collaboration between ITU and Djibouti and its fruitful outcomes. He emphasized that this partnership represents an important model for Türkiye.

During the meetings, discussions were held on how to advance the existing educational programs and explore opportunities for new joint research projects. Ideas were exchanged about establishing partnerships with international organizations, creating academic collaborations that would include other countries in the region, and organizing an international conference that highlights Djibouti's strength in technology diplomacy.

Meeting with ITU alumni in Djibouti

Prof. Dr. Mandal visited the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Djibouti’s Balbala Campus. During the visit, he met with ITU alumni who had successfully completed their undergraduate studies under the guidance of ITU academics, pursued their doctoral studies at ITU, and now serve as academic staff at the University of Djibouti. After the meeting, Prof. Dr. Mandal toured the laboratory with the alumni, gaining insights into the ongoing research. Discussions during the visit also covered the continuation of the educational collaboration between ITU and the University of Djibouti, as well as the educational and research projections for the next five years.

Prof. Dr. Mandal underlined that Djiboutian students who began their academic journey at ITU 10 years ago now play a role in the development of their country and expressed confidence that they would achieve a transformation together—from science diplomacy to technology diplomacy.

Aiming to further develop collaboration with Djibouti in green energy and technology

On February 25, our Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal delivered a speech at the opening of the International Conference on Energy and Applications (ICEA 2025), which marked a significant milestone in Djibouti’s history. Recalling the collaboration between ITU and the University of Djibouti, Prof. Dr. Mandal expressed their goal to advance these strong academic ties in the fields of green energy and technology. He emphasized that significant steps could be taken, particularly by leveraging European Union projects to produce sustainable energy solutions.

Our Rector also shared insights into efforts aimed at the digitalization of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in Djibouti. Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal noted that, as part of the project, they aim to support local small and medium enterprises in adapting to technology.

Highlighting Djibouti’s geopolitical position as a sign of its greater potential in the future, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal underlined that the conference should not only host scientific discussions but also evaluate what can be achieved collaboratively in the future. He further added that the conference provided an opportunity to establish strong partnerships, not just for Djibouti or the region, but for addressing global challenges.

During his visit, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, was hosted by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Djibouti, Erdal Sabri Ergen. He provided Ambassador Ergen with information about the current educational process and the projections for the next five years.

Prof. Dr. Mandal also gave interviews on Djibouti’s national channels to emphasize the importance of the collaboration between ITU and the University of Djibouti. Highlighting the decade-long educational partnership between ITU and Djibouti, he discussed the new departments to be established at the University of Djibouti in line with advancing technology, as well as topics such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and research projects to be implemented in future phases with ITU.