Rowan University and Bezmialem Vakıf University of Istanbul announced last week that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance global collaboration in health sciences. The agreement, following discussions at the EAIE Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden last month, marks a milestone in academic cooperation between the universities.
The partnership aims to strengthen academic and research ties, particularly in health sciences, through a multi-faceted cooperation package. Initiatives include semester exchanges, short-term study programs, summer internships, and clinical observation opportunities, all designed to foster sustainable student and faculty mobility. Faculty collaboration will be further supported through visiting scholar programs and joint research publications.
“This formal association will expand Rowan’s international footprint through research, student exchange opportunities and, hopefully, greater international enrollment,” said Morris Kalliny, Rowan vice president for global affairs and dean of the School of Professional Studies.
Students and academic staff from both institutions can benefit from enhanced career development opportunities, intercultural communication skills, and expanded international professional networks.
The collaboration holds out the prospect for interdisciplinary innovation by combining Bezmialem’s clinical education strengths with Rowan’s expertise in health sciences research.
This MOU builds on Rowan’s growing portfolio of international agreements, including recent partnerships with American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), United Arab Emirates; the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Egypt; Yokohama City University, Japan; and MIT Academy of Engineering, India.
The foundations of Bezmialem Vakıf University were laid in 1845 by Bezmialem Valide Sultan, the wife of Sultan Mahmud II. The university has more than 3,200 students in the departments of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health sciences faculties and health services vocational school.
Bezmialem Vakıf University has collaborations with 82 universities from 35 countries.
