September 6, 2025 

The BANÜ ELÇİ Program, launched to facilitate the integration of international students into the business world and increase the commercial capacity of South Marmara, has been expanded at the regional level to become the “South Marmara Global Horizon Program.”

Led by Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University (BANÜ) and carried out in collaboration with Balıkesir University, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, and the South Marmara Development Agency, the project will bring international students together with the business world and activate the commercial capacity of the Marmara Region.

The project aims to ensure that international students maintain their ties with Türkiye after graduation and establish bridges of cooperation.

In the first phase of the project, 50 volunteer students selected from among 223 international students participated in career development training, gaining experience in areas such as resume preparation, establishing contacts in the business world, and intercultural communication.

The project, which includes a comprehensive training process in areas such as international trade, market analysis, and digital skills, aims to contribute not only to regional development but also to Türkiye's vision of internationalization in higher education.

The program also includes student meetings, collaborations with industry and trade chambers, connections with international companies, joint projects with civil society organizations, and meetings with countries' consulates. The program also offers seminars, practical internship opportunities, and chances to build an international professional network to support students' career development.

Özvar: “They take on very important roles when they return to their countries”

President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar stated that international students are also cultural and trade ambassadors for Türkiye.

Expressing that he always feels proud when he sees international students who have graduated from Turkish universities, Özvar said, “When they return to their home countries, they usually take on very important roles and strengthen the relations between Türkiye and their own countries. Thanks to the knowledge they have acquired in Türkiye, they contribute to the establishment of much more effective cooperation between our countries in the cultural, scientific, and technological fields.”

Bandırma University Rector Prof. İsmail Boz also stated in his remarks regarding the project that they believe future entrepreneurs will emerge from among international students, saying, “Companies will meet international students, share their business connections and experiences with them, and cultural and economic interaction will take place.”

Students participating in the program, Stanford Nyemba, Shakhlo Rakhimova, Shakhrizoda Abdurakhimova, and Omaima Shabaan, also pointed out that the education they received and the opportunity to meet with companies within the scope of the program were very important for their future careers. The students said that the friendships they built in Türkiye and the professional experience they gained would stay with them throughout their lives.