Yunus Emre Institute has participated in the 4th Eurasia Higher Education Summit (EURIE). The opening ceremony of the world's third largest international education organization, held at Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center in Istanbul between February 27 and March 1, was conducted with the attendance of Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu.  

In his keynote speech, Minister Kasapoğlu drew attention of the significant role higher education institutions play as regards the future of their respective countries. Kasapoğlu indicated that he finds the establishment of the Eurasian Universities Union in 2010 as considerably significant for the future of the country. "Now, there is a university in all of our provinces. Many provinces have more than one university. We have increased the number of universities from 76 to 296 in 17 years," he said.

The keynote speech of the summit attended by 350 universities and institutions from 52 countries was delivered by Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) President Dr. Mustafa Aydın.

Dr. Mustafa Aydın pointed out that cooperation among institutions that shape education is crucial for higher education to gain momentum and the world is moving rapidly toward a new technological phase with the artificial intelligence technologies. Underlining that artificial intelligence work has emerged as an essential requirement for societies to be truly sovereign and independent, Aydın expressed that the importance of cooperation between universities and industries is growing with each passing day, but science should not be perceived solely as commercial commodity. Dr. Aydın stressed the need for universities that shape future to engage in worldwide cooperation and quest to share information.

Mini Ada, Turkey's first humanoid robot, serves as the presenter of the summit. Developed by Akın Robotic, Mini Ada said: "This is a very exciting event for me. I was born in Turkey, but I have learned to speak English in short time for you."

Following the speeches, Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Mehmet Kasapoğlu toured around the booths. Minister Kasapoğlu posed for a photo while visiting Yunus Emre Institute's booth, a popular venue for the visitors, and he was given Mangala as a present.

Senior executives and academics from various countries including the US, Azerbaijan, Germany, France, Canada, China, the UK, Iran, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, Russia, Malaysia, and Mexico will have an opportunity to participate in more than 50 panel discussions, seminars and symposiums on new trends in higher education, artificial intelligence technologies, Industry 4.0, STEM education, leadership of women in higher education, higher education status of refugees, entrepreneurship and technology, emerging countries in education and Turkey as an emerging asset.

In the expo area, many countries promote their own universities and higher education systems. The summit also serves as a ground for the development of bilateral cooperation and its theme is "A happy world for children."