In recent years, Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University has considerably accelerated its efforts to establish and maintain strong relationships with international universities and organisations on scientific, academic, social, and cultural levels. All necessary steps have been eagerly taken to participate in European Union (EU) education and research programmes and related activities that contribute to the strategic development of the university.
The International Relations Office, under the authority of the University Rector, centrally coordinates international activities. The main duties and responsibilities of the International Relations Office include:
The initiation and preparation of cooperation protocols and interinstitutional/bilateral agreements with foreign institutions
Promoting and coordinating activities related to EU education programmes (Erasmus, Leonardo, Comenius, Grundtvig, etc.)
Coordinating and providing assistance regarding the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and Diploma Supplement (DS)
The management of mobility activities and the administration of student and teaching staff exchanges, incoming and outgoing alike
Disseminating information related to European research programmes
Participating in national and international meetings, seminars and conferences
The organisation of relevant national and international seminars, conferences, and meetings within the university
Arranging itineraries for foreign delegations and visitors
Directly contributing to the work related to the international promotion of the university
Studying abroad in Europe is a great opportunity for students to broaden their horizons. In addition to offering students a chance to develop personally and academically, time spent abroad improves linguistic ability and offers insights into different ways of life and cultures.
Erasmus is the EU action scheme in the area of higher education. It places especial focus on the mobility of university students and staff. The programme allows university students to spend part of their degree in another European university. The work completed during the period abroad is counted toward the home institution’s degree. Students go abroad for a period of three to twelve months at any time, beginning with their second year. No tuition fees are payable at the host institution, and a grant is given toward additional costs.
Soon after the establishment of the Turkish National Agency, Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University started its activities within the framework of the Erasmus Programme. Consequent to the award of the Erasmus University Charter and in line with the bilateral agreements signed with European universities, the first student and staff exchanges took place in the 2004-2005 academic year. The large increase in the number of exchanges in 2005-2006 has been doubled in 2006-2007. Currently, Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University has many bilateral agreements for Erasmus cooperation with European Universities in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Increasing the number of bilateral agreements and encouraging the participation of outgoing and incoming students and teaching staff remain the primary goals of the office. Every department has an Erasmus coordinator who provides academic guidance to Erasmus exchange students and closely works with the International Relations Office.
Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University has been awarded the Extended Erasmus University Charter by the European Commission, in line with the EU’s new era Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP), which will continue between 2007-2013.
As one of Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University’s teaching staff works as a member in the National Bologna Experts Team, the university is actively involved in the promotion of the Bologna Process in Turkey. The university has embarked on a course of action to manage the implementation of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and the Diploma Supplement (DS) within the departments of the university in accordance with the Bologna Process. Students and staff of the university can also benefit from the projects within the Leonardo Programme, which has grown tremendously in the last three years. Apart from Erasmus bilateral agreements, Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University has scientific and cultural cooperation protocols with various higher education institutions in such countries as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and the USA. Additionally, active memberships in the European University Association (EUA) and International Association of University (IAU) are maintained.
Mevlana Exchange Programme
Mevlana Exchange Programme is a programme which aims the exchange of students and academic staff between the Turkish higher education institutions and higher education institutions of other countries. With the regulation published in August 23, 2011 (num: 28034), students and academic staff exchange between Turkish higher education institutions and higher education institutions of other countries has been possible.
Students may study abroad for one (minimum) or two (maximum) terms and academic staff may lecture abroad from one week (minimum) to three months (maximum). Accordingly, students and academic staff from any country may benefit from this programme being hosted by Turkish higher education institutions in order to study or lecture.