Education and Research

Education and research are at the heart of Dokuz Eylul University’s sustainability strategy. Sustainability principles are systematically integrated into education, scientific research, innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement, and international collaboration across all academic units. During the 2025–2026 academic year, the University offered 11,236 courses, of which 2,492 (22.2%) were identified as sustainability-related. At the programme level, 531 of the University’s 884 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes (60.1%) directly contribute to one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To further strengthen this integration, DEU has developed an institution-wide SDG Curriculum Mapping methodology that continuously evaluates courses, programmes, and learning outcomes across all faculties, graduate schools, and vocational schools, ensuring that sustainability remains embedded throughout higher education.

Research is another major pillar of the University’s sustainability performance. During the last three years, Dokuz Eylul University secured approximately 109.9 million USD in research funding, of which 59.3 million USD (54%) was dedicated to sustainability-related research projects supported through institutional resources, TÜBİTAK, the European Union, and other national and international funding programmes. Supported by 2,855 academic staff, the University produced approximately 2,250 sustainability-related scientific publications during the GreenMetric reporting period, covering subjects such as renewable energy, climate change, circular economy, biodiversity, sustainable cities, environmental technologies, marine sciences, public health, and resource efficiency. These research activities are further strengthened through patents, interdisciplinary projects, and technology transfer initiatives that transform scientific knowledge into practical solutions for global sustainability challenges.

Learning at DEU extends well beyond the classroom. Throughout the reporting period, the University organized more than 50 major sustainability-related scientific, cultural, artistic, and public engagement events, alongside numerous faculty-based seminars, symposiums, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, awareness campaigns, and sports activities. Signature events such as the Environmental Days Symposium, Science Café Talks, Science Events for Children, DEÜFest, the Traditional Spring Festival, Youth Festival, Republic Day Concert, Theatre Week, Public Sculpture Exhibitions, and the Parent–Child Ceramics Workshop strengthened interaction between the University and society while promoting sustainability, science, culture, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Student engagement is one of the University’s greatest strengths. With 149 active student clubs, DEU encourages students to take an active role in sustainability through environmental awareness campaigns, recycling initiatives, biodiversity conservation projects, entrepreneurship activities, volunteer programmes, competitions, educational workshops, and community service projects carried out throughout the year. These initiatives foster leadership, civic responsibility, and stronger partnerships with local communities while providing students with practical sustainability experience beyond their academic studies.

Innovation and international collaboration further enhance the University’s education and research ecosystem. Through DEPARK, Dokuz Eylul University’s technology development zone, 14 new technology-based start-up companies joined the innovation ecosystem during the reporting period in areas including software, artificial intelligence, health technologies, marine technologies, communication technologies, aviation, and digital innovation. At the same time, DEU expanded its global academic network through new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Erasmus+ agreements, strengthening research partnerships, academic mobility, and sustainability-oriented collaborations with universities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and other regions.

The University’s contribution to sustainable development is also reflected in its graduates. During the reporting period, 31,978 students graduated from Dokuz Eylul University, including 4,642 graduates from programmes associated with green jobs, representing 14.51% of all graduates. Through its comprehensive education system, strong research capacity, vibrant campus life, innovation ecosystem, and global collaborations, Dokuz Eylul University continues to educate future professionals while making meaningful contributions to all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.