The "Research Universities, Research-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization Program" organized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) took place with wide participation, hosted by Gazi University.

The program, held in the Mimar Kemaleddin Hall, was attended by the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Erol Özvar, our Rector, Prof. Uğur Ünal, members of the Executive Board and General Assembly of YÖK, rectors, vice-rectors, and academics.

The program, which began with a moment of silence and the national anthem, was opened by our Rector, Prof. Uğur Ünal. Prof. Uğur Ünal highlighted that Gazi University is one of the most established universities in our country, stating, "Gazi University, selected as a Research University by the Council of Higher Education in 2017, is a higher education institution with increasing responsibilities in producing high-quality knowledge, increasing the number of PhD holders with high research qualifications, and enhancing the global visibility and recognition of our country through national and international collaborations."

Rector Prof. Uğur Ünal continued, emphasizing the university's achievements: "According to URAP’s report titled 'The Situation of Our Universities in 11 Global Rankings in 2023,' Gazi University is among the top 1000 and top 1350, and in the same report, it is one of the six universities that appear in all 11 global rankings. Our university has maintained its successful performance by ranking in the 901-1000 range, just like last year, in the Shanghai Ranking 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities, while it has ranked between 6th and 8th in Turkey. Additionally, according to the QS World University Rankings 2025 results, our university has continued its upward trajectory by ranking in the 901-950 range."

Prof. Uğur Ünal further noted that the criteria for Research Universities are determined by YÖK, concluding his remarks by stating, "With the goal of taking Gazi University's success even higher, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whom we closely support, our aim is to first enter the top 10 and then the A1 category, which includes universities demonstrating top-level research performance. By doing so, we aim to raise Gazi University's capacity even further, and to place our university, which has already proven itself on the national and international stage, within the top 500 in international rankings. I would like to conclude by thanking YÖK President Prof. Erol Özvar and everyone involved in organizing the Research Universities Meeting at Gazi University."

YÖK Executive Board Member Prof. Naci Gündoğan, speaking at the opening of the program, discussed the nature of the meeting. He recalled that the Research Universities Program began in 2017, stating that "a significant ranking was made in determining the Research Universities."

Prof. Naci Gündoğan pointed out that since 2023, the top management of one-third of the research universities has changed and noted that rectors and vice-rectors from 29 universities attended the meeting hosted by Gazi University. He explained that the performance of research universities is evaluated every fall and highlighted the performance monitoring criteria in his presentation.

Prof. Naci Gündoğan also shared that Gazi University showed an increase in 18 indicators. He emphasized that the ranking study regarding the 2023 performance of universities was completed within the framework of three dimensions and 31 indicators, wishing that the results of the meeting would bring good fortune.

In his closing remarks, YÖK President Prof. Erol Özvar expressed his gratitude to Gazi University for hosting the event. He stated that YÖK’s mission is to support universities in Turkey in every aspect, adding, "We want to increase and support the national and international visibility of our universities."

Prof. Erol Özvar noted that five Turkish universities are among the top 500 in the QS university rankings, and they aim to increase this number in the coming years. He mentioned that 11 research universities are among the top 1000 in the same rankings, congratulating the successful universities.

Prof. Erol Özvar also mentioned the upcoming opening of the Turkey-Azerbaijan University, emphasizing that it will be a historic first. He noted that they aim to extend the Azerbaijan-Turkey University model to other regions, stating, "This project will open up Turkish academic expertise to the world."

In his speech, Prof. Erol Özvar also drew attention to Article 46 of the Higher Education Law No. 2547, noting that six universities have been included in the research university monitoring program. He stressed that the path to research university status is open to every university and thanked those involved in organizing the program.

Following the opening speeches, the "Research Universities, Research-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization Program" meetings commenced.