Rector Aktekin Signed the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU 2020) Declaration on Behalf of NEVÜ
Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University (NEVÜ) Rector Prof. Dr. Semih Aktekin signed the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU 2020) Declaration, which is based on the principles of academic freedom, institutional autonomy, scientific ethics, and social responsibility in higher education, on behalf of NEVÜ at an international ceremony held in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. With this signature, NEVÜ took an important step in line with its internationalization vision by joining an international academic network that brings together more than 1,000 higher education institutions from 94 countries.
Following the acceptance of the application process carried out on behalf of NEVÜ by the Governing Board of the Magna Charta Observatory (MCO), the Magna Charta Universitatum Anniversary Conference and Signing Ceremony was held in Vilnius on October 14-16, 2026. Participating in the three-day program, Rector Prof. Dr. Semih Aktekin formalized NEVÜ's participation in the international network by signing the declaration at the official ceremony held in the historic Aula Parva hall of Vilnius University on October 16, 2026.
Rector Aktekin Signed the Declaration in Vilnius
In the ceremony, which started with the opening speeches of Vilnius University Rector Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Petrauskas and Magna Charta Observatory President and University of Bologna Rector Prof. Dr. Giovanni Molari, Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defense and Space, took part as the keynote speaker. At the ceremony, alongside scientific research, academic autonomy, and innovation, the role of universities in the future of Europe and the construction of global peace was discussed. Within the scope of the program, a memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Magna Charta Observatory and the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) to develop cooperation in higher education.
At the ceremony, attended by two higher education institutions from Turkey as well as universities from the UK, France, the USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Slovakia, the MCU 2020 Declaration was signed by Rector Prof. Dr. Semih Aktekin on behalf of NEVÜ. Thus, NEVÜ joined the international network that brings together more than 1,000 higher education institutions from 94 countries, which also includes universities from Turkey such as Middle East Technical University, Istanbul Technical University, and Boğaziçi University.
The Role of Universities in a Changing World Was Discussed
Prior to the signing ceremony, the international conference hosted by Mykolas Romeris University on October 14-15, 2026, was held with the theme "Beyond Resilience: Universities as Active Value-Driven Agents in a Changing World".
In the sessions attended by international higher education representatives, including Mykolas Romeris University Rector and President of the Lithuanian University Rectors' Conference Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Magna Charta Observatory Vice President of the Governing Board Prof. Dr. Liviu Matei, MCO Secretary General David Lock, President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Prof. Dr. Habil. Vytautas Nekrošius, and President of the European University Association Josep M. Garrell, topics such as the protection of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, the effects of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on higher education, scientific ethics and humanism, the responsibilities of universities in regional development and social transformation, quality assurance, and the future of international university alliances were evaluated.
Within the scope of the conference and signing ceremony, Rector Aktekin held meetings with university administrators from different countries and representatives of international higher education organizations, and evaluated joint research projects, academician and student mobility, and new international cooperation opportunities.
Rector Aktekin: It Will Make a Strong Contribution to Our International Collaborations
Making evaluations regarding the signing of the Magna Charta Universitatum Declaration, NEVÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Semih Aktekin stated that joining an international higher education network that adopts the principles of academic freedom, institutional autonomy, scientific ethics, and social responsibility is a significant achievement in terms of the university's internationalization goals.
Stating that NEVÜ, which specializes in the field of "Natural and Cultural Heritage Tourism" by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), continues its works in line with universal academic values, Aktekin noted that with the signing of the declaration introduced in Bologna in 1988 and updated in 2020, the university has reached an important stage in its internationalization process.
Stating that the conference held in Vilnius offered significant opportunities to evaluate current developments regarding the future of higher education and to develop relations with universities from different countries, Aktekin expressed that the meetings where the protection of academic values, especially in the age of artificial intelligence, and the social responsibilities of universities were discussed, were highly productive.
Aktekin stated that participation in the Magna Charta Universitatum network will contribute to increasing NEVÜ's international visibility, developing joint scientific research, and carrying out new projects in line with sustainable development goals, and expressed that the university will continue its efforts to strengthen international academic collaborations.
