Türkiye launches a global academic international initiative connecting 208 universities with international researchers and institutions ahead of COP31, creating new opportunities for students and researchers.
Türkiye has launched a new international academic initiative designed to connect universities, researchers and students around the world as the country prepares to host the COP31 Presidency.
The initiative, announced on August 4, 2026, was unveiled during the “Science Diplomacy on the Road to COP31: Academy Launch” at the Council of Higher Education. The programme aims to bring Türkiye’s higher education and research community into closer collaboration with international universities, research centres and academic networks.
At the centre of the initiative is a plan to connect all 208 universities in Türkiye with international academic institutions and researchers working on climate change and related areas.
University Announces New International Initiative for Students and Researchers
Türkiye Brings All 208 Universities Into COP31 Preparations
Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar said the initiative will create a comprehensive science diplomacy model linking Türkiye’s universities with institutions around the world.
The programme is being developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and is intended to ensure that universities play an active role in Türkiye’s COP31 preparations.
According to Özvar, universities will contribute their research, technological innovations, university-industry partnerships, entrepreneurial initiatives and international collaborations to the process.
He also announced that every university has appointed a vice rector to serve as its COP31 Coordinator.
This means, according to the Council of Higher Education, that no university in Türkiye has been left outside the COP31 process.
New Platform Connects Researchers Around the World
A major component of the initiative is the newly established COP-SCIENCE platform.
The platform is designed to strengthen international academic collaboration by allowing universities, research centres, academic networks and individual researchers from around the world to participate through an English-language application system.
The platform could create opportunities for researchers to identify potential international partners, develop collaborative research projects and explore academic cooperation around climate-related challenges.
The initiative also places emphasis on researcher mobility, joint research and long-term institutional partnerships.
Young Researchers Encouraged to Participate
The Council of Higher Education is encouraging students and young researchers to become active participants in the COP31 process.
Özvar called on young researchers to contribute their research, projects and technological solutions to efforts addressing climate change.
The initiative is particularly relevant to students and researchers working in areas connected to sustainability, environmental science, renewable energy, climate technology and other disciplines that can contribute to climate solutions.
However, the programme is not limited to science and engineering.
Opportunities Across Multiple Academic Fields
The COP31 initiative is expected to bring together researchers from a wide range of disciplines.
Priority areas identified as part of the preparations include:
- Clean energy
- Green industry
- Zero waste
- Climate-resilient cities
- Food security
- Health
- Education
- Sustainable development
- Climate change
- Environmental management
The Council of Higher Education stressed that climate change requires expertise from fields beyond engineering and natural sciences.
Researchers in social sciences, law, economics, education, communication and the arts can also contribute to developing solutions and shaping climate policy.
Universities Expanding Green Skills Programmes
Türkiye’s higher education system has also been expanding programmes designed to prepare students for the green transition.
According to Özvar, universities have introduced academic programmes covering areas such as:
- Renewable energy
- Sustainability management
- Environmental and resource management
- Climate change
- Sustainable agriculture
- Food systems
Universities are also using courses, certificate programmes and micro-credentials to strengthen students’ green skills.
Some campuses are being developed as living laboratories where universities can monitor and improve their performance in areas such as energy consumption, water use, waste management and carbon emissions.
Türkiye Reports Strong Sustainability Performance Among Universities
Özvar also highlighted Türkiye’s performance in the GreenMetric 2025 rankings.
According to the information presented by the Council of Higher Education, six Turkish universities were among the world’s top 100, while 21 entered the top 200 and 54 were placed among the global top 500.
The Council stated that Türkiye ranked first globally in the number of universities represented among the world’s top 500 in the GreenMetric 2025 results.
International Students Could Also Benefit From Greater Cooperation
Türkiye already has a substantial international student population and an expanding network of international academic partnerships.
The Council of Higher Education reported that Türkiye hosts approximately 380,000 international students from 198 countries, ranking sixth globally in international student enrolment.
Its international cooperation network extends across regions including the Balkans, the Turkic World, Africa, Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
Existing cooperation includes:
- Joint degree programmes
- Dual-degree programmes
- Student mobility
- Faculty mobility
- Research partnerships
- International universities established abroad
The COP-SCIENCE initiative is intended to build on these existing relationships.
International Research Partnerships to Continue Beyond COP31
The initiative is not intended to end when COP31 concludes.
The Council of Higher Education said collaboration developed through the programme is expected to continue through joint research projects, researcher exchanges, data sharing and institutional partnerships.
The Council of Higher Education Pavilion at COP31 will also provide a platform for researchers from Türkiye and other countries to present their work, form research teams and develop ideas for collaborative projects.
This could provide researchers with opportunities to establish connections that continue beyond the conference itself.
What This Could Mean for Students and Researchers
For students and researchers interested in climate change and sustainability, the initiative could create additional opportunities to engage with international academic networks.
Potential areas of participation include:
- Climate research
- Sustainable development projects
- Renewable energy research
- Environmental technology
- Green economy research
- Climate policy
- Sustainable agriculture
- Public health and climate change
- Climate-resilient cities
- Education and climate awareness
- International research collaboration
Students interested in these areas may also benefit from following announcements from participating universities and the COP-SCIENCE platform as new programmes and collaborations develop.
A Growing Role for Science in Climate Diplomacy
The initiative reflects Türkiye’s effort to place scientific research and higher education at the centre of its COP31 Presidency.
The Council of Higher Education described science, cooperation and joint solutions as central to Türkiye’s message ahead of COP31.
By bringing universities, researchers, students and international academic institutions together, the initiative aims to turn scientific knowledge into collaborative solutions that can have a longer-term impact.
Final Thoughts
Türkiye’s new international academic initiative is bringing all 208 universities into the country’s COP31 preparations while creating new mechanisms for international research collaboration.
Through the COP-SCIENCE platform, universities, researchers and academic networks from around the world will have a new channel through which they can explore partnerships and collaborate on climate-related research.
For students and young researchers, the initiative could provide an important avenue to engage with international academic networks, develop research partnerships and contribute to global conversations around climate change.
As COP31 approaches, students, researchers and universities interested in sustainability and climate solutions should continue watching for new collaboration, research, mobility and academic opportunities connected to the initiative.
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