USK Participates in EURIE 2025 in Istanbul, Strengthens Global Education Collaboration
Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) again demonstrated its presence on the international stage by participating in the EURIE 2025 (Eurasia Higher Education Summit), held from April 8–10, 2025 at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center, Taksim, Turkey. This prestigious event is the largest higher education conference and exhibition connecting universities from Asia and Europe, and this year marks its 10th edition.
EURIE 2025 was officially opened by the President of the Turkish Council of Higher Education, Prof. Erol Özvar, and attended by prominent figures in global education, including the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, as well as the Governor of Istanbul. A total of 180 universities from around the world took part in the event, including institutions from North and Latin America, which are now showing growing interest in the Eurasian forum.
EURIE President, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydin, expressed his appreciation for the increasing participation each year. He hoped that the forum would serve as a strategic platform to promote equitable quality in higher education across the East and West. Meanwhile, Prof. Erol Özvar emphasized the importance of equal collaboration among nations in education, along with the need for policies and funding that ensure access for a better future.
Universitas Syiah Kuala actively participated by setting up an exhibition booth under the coordination of the Faculty of Medicine and Office of International Affairs, represented by Dr. dr. Safrizal Rahman, M.Kes., Sp.OT the dean of Faculty of Medicine. The USK booth received enthusiastic responses from international visitors from Europe, Latin America, and Central Asia. Many of them expressed interest in USK’s academic programs, scholarship opportunities, and potential collaborations in education, research, and student mobility.
The USK booth was also honored by visits from the President of EURIE and the Malaysian Minister of Higher Education. Prof. Erol Özvar expressed his admiration for USK, which is based in Aceh, and remarked that “Aceh always has a place in the hearts of the Turkish people,” referring to the deep historical ties between the Aceh Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire. This statement became an emotional and proud moment for the USK delegation.
Indonesia was represented by only two universities at EURIE 2025—USK and Universitas Negeri Padang. Nonetheless, the enthusiasm for collaboration with Indonesian institutions was remarkably high. At least ten international universities immediately expressed commitment to partner with USK and have already sent draft Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for further follow-up.
In addition to participating in the exhibition, the USK delegation also conducted an academic visit to Marmara University, one of Istanbul’s leading universities. The university is renowned for its strengths in medicine, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and food technology, and is open to international collaborations in research and academics.
“Following EURIE 2025, USK must promptly follow up on the various collaboration initiatives that have been established. This is a crucial step for USK to gain wider recognition as an Indonesian educational institution with significant potential on the global stage,” concluded Dr. Safrizal.
