Launch of €250,000 Erasmus Project 'INSPIRE' Led by OKÜ University

Osmaniye Korkut Ata University (OKÜ), in line with its vision for internationalization and digital transformation in higher education, has taken the lead in a prestigious European project. This project, known by the acronym INSPIRE, was approved under the European Union's 'Cooperation Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training' (KA220-VET) program, and its operational activities officially commenced in late June 2026 [1].

Project Details and International Consortium The INSPIRE project, with a total budget of €250,000, is planned for a two-year period (from December 2025 to December 2027). OKÜ University serves as the main coordinator, leading a consortium of five prominent universities from four different countries. The partners in this scheme include the International Hellenic University (Diethnes Panepistimio Ellados), the University of Foggia from Italy (Università degli Studi di Foggia), Kazimieras Simonavičius University from Lithuania, and the University of Turkish Aeronautical Association (Türk Hava Kurumu Üniversitesi) [2].

The primary goal of this collaboration is to create innovative solutions for leading entrepreneurs in the Industry 4.0 era. The project aims to bridge the gap between theoretical academic knowledge and the practical needs of the digital labor market by focusing on emerging technologies [1].

First Meeting in Italy: Training for the Future The first operational phase of the project began with the kick-off meeting and an international training camp in the city of Foggia, Italy. This event, held from June 23 to June 30, 2026, and hosted by the University of Foggia, welcomed a team of 75 people, including 12 students and 3 professors from each member university of the consortium [2].

During this training camp, selected students from OKÜ University, alongside their European peers, received intensive training in the following critical areas:
* Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its industrial applications
* Internet of Things (IoT) and smart networks
* Big Data analysis
* Technology-based entrepreneurship strategies [1].

Achievements and Project Outlook The INSPIRE project is not limited to student exchange; one of the main outputs of this plan is the production of a 'Training Toolkit' consisting of 20 specialized modules and investment-ready prototypes. These resources will help students and young entrepreneurs transform their innovative ideas into real business models [2].

OKÜ University administration emphasized that this project not only enhances the university's international prestige but also provides a unique opportunity for students to exchange experiences within a global network and acquire the skills necessary to compete in the international labor market [3]. Following the successful launch of this initiative in Italy, subsequent specialized meetings are expected to be held in Turkey and other partner countries in the coming months.