JU signs exchange program agreement with two Turkish universities

Jacksonville University plans to develop exchange programs for faculty and students with two international universities based in Turkey, with JU President Tim Cost signing the agreement Monday, April 1.

The preliminary agreement will also involve sponsoring conferences abroad and in the U.S.

“This is the exact type of outreach and connection we will continue to seek as Jacksonville University raises its profile locally and globally, in this case in one of the world’s fastest developing economies,” Cost said. “This creates greater opportunity for our students and faculty, and helps us as we work to keep attracting and keeping the best and brightest at JU.”

President Cost signed the initial memorandum of understanding with both President Muzaffer Elmas of Sakarya University and President Hüseyin Ekiz of Suleyman Sah University. The two presidents met with Cost in his office, and toured the University as well.

Last summer, the Istanbul Cultural Center at Jacksonville invited academics from Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, Florida State College at Jacksonville and Edward Waters College to visit several Turkish universities to discuss exchange programs.

JU Political Science Professor Stephen Baker represented the University on the trip, which led to a request from the two Turkish universities to meet with President Cost to discuss further ways to cooperate.

“Turkey has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and cooperative exchanges involving both students and scholars will enhance the academic experiences for all the universities,” Baker said.

The exact nature of the academic disciplines to be exchanged is to be determined, according to Dr. Lois Becker, JU senior vice president of academic affairs.