Derya Gumuş Dürmüş, an administrator from the Office of International Affairs, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Turkey, visited CSI from April 11-16, 2022. Her visit was hosted by the Center for Global Engagement and funded by the Erasmus High Education: Mobility Agreement.

The visit focused on mobility training with the following goals:

– to introduce the Office of International Affairs/Istanbul Technical University to CSI/CUNY;

– to gain insight and knowledge into daily routines and practices of the CSI Center for Global Engagement;

– to exchange experience and expertise in the international affairs management practices of the home/host institutions;

-to initiate contact, which may in the future lead to the establishment of cooperation agreements in ERASMUS+ and in different fields between the ITU and CSI;

-to acquire a better understanding of the U.S. higher education system and international affairs policies and practices of U.S. universities; and

-to introduce the Turkish higher education system and international affairs policies and practices of the Turkish universities, particularly those of the ITU.

During her visit, Dürmüş met with several departments and administrators, and was able to gain some insights to bring to her home institutions. Participating CSI offices included the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, the CSI Macaulay Honors College, the Office of Communications and Marketing, and the Office of Student Life. Prof. H. Ege Ozen, Assistant Professor, Political Science and Global Affairs, provided a warm welcome.

Dürmüş also shared the beauty of Istanbul with images during the World on Wednesday Lecture Series, providing for a better understanding of the social and historical realities of Turkey.

Through this visit, she hoped that the ITU will develop new contacts and explore opportunities of cooperation with the ITU and CSI.

The Center for Global Engagement creates customized programs, including one-day seminars, week-long visits, and monthly programs, catering to our guests in a variety of instructional and professional areas. We provide customized educational seminars, academic training programs, intercultural communication, and practical training, along or coupled with English language training. Contact Winnie.Brophy@csi.cuny.edu for details.

By Winnie Brophy