Strategic Meeting at Atatürk University; Mapping the Future Scientific Roadmap

Strengthening the Culture of Consultation and Participatory Management

In the consultative meeting held today at Atatürk University, the university's senior management, including vice-rectors, the secretary-general, deans, and directors of educational institutes, gathered together. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, the Rector of the university, emphasized the importance of "collective wisdom" in advancing institutional goals during this session [1]. He noted that the university's recent successes are a direct result of a culture of cooperation and coordinated efforts at all administrative and scientific levels.

During this meeting, the activities of various academic units were comprehensively evaluated, and the necessity of strengthening the infrastructure required to maintain academic dynamism was emphasized. The main objective of this meeting was stated as aligning operational plans with the university's long-term vision as a "research-oriented university" [2].

Achieving the Top Scientific Rank Nationally

One of the main axes of these discussions was the announcement of recent results from the Clarivate InCites database. According to reports published in mid-July 2026, Atatürk University achieved the first rank among Turkish universities with 231 scientific articles among the top 10% of the world's most-cited publications [3]. This achievement demonstrates the university's focus on the quality of scientific output rather than mere quantity.

The Rector stated that this success was not accidental but the result of strategic investments in laboratories, support for researchers, and the development of international collaborations. He added that the future goal is to elevate the university's position in global rankings and become a scientific hub in the Eastern Anatolia region [1].

Strategic Priorities for the New Academic Year

In another part of this meeting, the university's future roadmap was determined with a focus on four main pillars:

1. Internationalization: Increasing the number of international students and faculty exchange with prestigious world universities.
2. Student-Centered Education: Improving the quality of welfare and educational services for students.
3. Interdisciplinary Research: Encouraging different faculties to define joint scientific projects.
4. Quality Improvement: Implementing modern standards in administrative and educational processes [2].

The managers present at the meeting also presented their suggestions for improving the performance of their units. The meeting concluded with an emphasis on continuing regular consultative sessions to monitor project progress [1].