ATHENS Network Students Met at ITU

Istanbul Technical University hosted 115 international students in March 2025 as part of the ATHENS Network, which includes 15 leading technical universities in Europe. This prestigious academic cooperation network, of which ITU is the only member from Türkiye, provides students with international academic experience as well as opportunities for cultural interaction.

As part of the events, an opening session was held for guest students on March 17 at the ITU Disaster Management Institute Conference Hall. The session began with the opening speech of International Relations Coordinator Assistant Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Ekmekcioğlu. Then, International Student Coordinator Lecturer Ferhat Çakıröz provided information to guest students about ITU's academic structure and the opportunities it offers. Research Assistant Berker Pandır from the Graduate School gave an informative presentation for master's and doctoral students. The program continued with a campus tour and students had the opportunity to experience the history and modernity of ITU together.

The program, organized and guided by ATHENS ITU Coordinator Gülben Demir, offered an experience that supported the academic and cultural integration of students. In addition to academic programs throughout the week, students discovered the cultural richness of Istanbul with city tours including dinner events where they could taste traditional Turkish foods and a trip to the Princes’ Islands.

About ATHENS

The ATHENS Network (Advanced Technology Higher Education Network) is an elite academic collaboration network consisting of 15 leading technical universities in Europe. The program, of which Istanbul Technical University is the only member from Türkiye, offers intensive academic courses and cultural enrichment opportunities for engineering and science students regularly in March and November each year.