A Vision of ‘Sustainability’ from Izmir to Asia
Drawing significant attention for its holistic approach to sustainable development and the fight against climate change, Izmir University of Economics (IUE),has become a finalist in Awards Asia, organized by Times Higher Education (THE), one of the world's most prestigious higher education ranking platforms. Ranked among the top 8 universities in Asia in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership’ category, IUE will compete for the top prize at the finals to be held in Hong Kong on April 22. IUE Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu said, “What matters to us is to strongly demonstrate the responsibility of universities in the face of the climate crisis. We want our vision, which originated in Izmir, to resonate in Turkey and beyond.”
The finalists for THE Awards Asia were determined following a comprehensive evaluation process lasting months. The institutional visions and projects focused on climate action and sustainable development from hundreds of universities across Asia were examined in detail. Izmir University of Economics earned its place in the final by making a difference with its approach of integrating sustainability into corporate strategy and producing measurable impact outcomes.
PIONEER OF ACADEMIC TRANSFORMATION
IUE became a pioneer of academic transformation in Turkey as the founder of the country's first graduate program in sustainable energy. By systematically adapting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its curriculum, research activities, and governance structure, IUE solidified this transformation through its Office of Sustainability. Thanks to work conducted within the Sustainable Energy and Climate Policies Research and Application Center (SENLAB), IUE has played an active role in numerous Horizon Europe projects and became the first university in the Aegean Region to calculate its carbon footprint.
“UNIVERSITIES SHOULD GUIDE THE TRANSFORMATION”
Stating that universities should not only produce knowledge in the field of sustainability but also act as institutions that guide transformation, IUE Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu said, “We have demonstrated through concrete applications how universities can be positioned as ‘living laboratories’ for sustainability. We adopted a holistic approach ranging from education and research to governance and campus infrastructure. Being a finalist is an important validation; however, for us, the real issue is making the model we developed permanent and scalable.”
“WE HAVE POSITIONED IZMIR AS A PILOT CITY”
Prof. Dr. Biresselioğlu continued as follows: “For us, sustainability is not just a project title; it is part of our corporate identity. We have developed an integrated transformation model in all areas, from academic programs to campus practices. We have moved Izmir toward a position as a pilot city where climate-neutral living practices are tested.”
He also noted that the new campus project being built in Güzelbahçe stands out for its eco-friendly features. The campus will feature buildings with optimized energy performance using clean energy technologies, and on-campus transportation is planned to be provided by electric vehicles. Prof. Dr. Biresselioğlu stated that the new campus was designed as a model that supports IUE's sustainable living approach with physical infrastructure.
A ‘GLOBAL’ MESSAGE FROM IZMIR
Emphasizing that reaching the final shows they are moving in the right direction, Prof. Dr. Biresselioğlu said, “This success shows that the steps we have taken are gaining visibility on an international scale. However, what matters most to us is demonstrating the strong responsibility universities hold in the face of the climate crisis. We want this vision rising from Izmir to find resonance across Turkey and beyond."
