Strategic Assessments of Atatürk University Rector: Scientific Leap in 2026

In mid-July 2026, Erzurum's Atatürk University, under the management of Professor Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, has reached one of its most brilliant scientific eras. According to reports published on July 17, 2026, the university has successfully increased the number of articles published in prestigious international indexes such as SCI, SCIE, and AHCI from 1,484 to 1,854, representing the highest growth rate among Turkish universities [1].

Leadership in Research Quality and Global Citations Citing data from the Clarivate InCites platform updated on July 13, 2026, the Rector of Atatürk University announced that the university now ranks first in Turkey in terms of highly cited papers (ranking in the top 10% globally) [3]. Professor Hacımüftüoğlu emphasized that the new management's goal is not merely a quantitative increase in articles, but a primary focus on enhancing the impact power and quality of scientific productions to achieve global authority [1].

Innovation in Health and Artificial Intelligence Another important axis of recent assessments is the university's success in patent registration. Atatürk University ranks first in Turkey with 18 patents registered in the field of artificial intelligence applications in health [1]. In 2025 and the first half of 2026, this scientific center successfully registered 24 national patents and submitted 14 international patent applications, demonstrating the university's technological approach to solving modern challenges [1].

Rise in International Rankings In the field of international visibility, Atatürk University has experienced a significant leap. In the 2026 RUR rankings, the university climbed from 20th to 12th nationally, and reached 8th place in Turkey in the URAP rankings [1]. Additionally, the university was placed among the top 300 in the THE Asia University Rankings and was recognized among the top 10 universities globally in three different areas of the United Nations Sustainable Development indicators [1].

Management Based on Collective Wisdom and Future Vision During a senior management meeting held on July 16, Professor Hacımüftüoğlu emphasized that these successes are the result of a "culture of common effort" and management based on collective wisdom [2]. He noted that by strengthening international collaborations, including active participation in the European University Association (EUA) annual conference in Istanbul, Atatürk University seeks to consolidate its position as a leading global research university [2].