Near East University participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 with its academics and students, closely following important discussions in international diplomacy.
Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026), one of the most important gatherings of global diplomacy, with its academics and students. Held in Antalya with the theme “Coping with Uncertainties While Designing Tomorrow”, the forum served as an important platform addressing the ruptures in the international system, regional conflicts, and the search for global cooperation.
The forum was attended by Prof. Dr. Nur Köprülü, Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, and Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal, faculty member of the Department of International Relations, as well as Political Science and Public Administration students Raziye Çörtük and Ahmethan Yenice. The Near East University delegation had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with official delegations from various countries within the scope of the forum, while also closely following panels and sessions on world and regional issues.
Throughout the forum, heads of state, diplomats, academics, and experts assessed the impact of changing power balances, increasing competition, and conflicts in different geographies on the international system. The humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and the regional and global repercussions of the US-Israel attack on Iran were among the prominent topics of the sessions. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening diplomacy and multilateral dialogue mechanisms in the face of these developments.
Prof. Dr. Şerife Eyüpoğlu: “This experience is extremely instructive for our students.”
Prof. Dr. Şerife Eyüpoğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences of Near East University, stated that such organizations also create important opportunities for academic collaborations. Şerife Eyüpoğlu said, “Being in the same environment with academics, experts, and decision-makers from different countries increases knowledge sharing and opens the door to new collaborations. These contacts are of extremely strategic importance for universities.”
Prof. Dr. Eyüpoğlu, expressing that the experiences students gained during the forum will also contribute to their future careers, said, “Our young people’s participation in such prestigious platforms increases their self-confidence and contributes to their gaining a global vision. This experience is extremely guiding for our students studying in the fields of diplomacy, political science, and international relations.” Prof. Dr. Eyüpoğlu, stating that Near East University will continue to actively participate in international platforms, also emphasized that the university will continue to offer its students opportunities on a global scale in addition to its academic achievements.
“Our interest in diplomacy has been further strengthened!”
Near East University students Raziye Çörtük and Ahmethan Yenice stated that during the forum, they had the opportunity to observe firsthand that international relations are not just about theoretical knowledge, but also about the approaches and policy understandings of leaders, diplomats, and official delegations. Raziye Çörtük emphasized that the Antalya Diplomacy Forum provided them with a significant learning experience, saying, “We had the opportunity to closely observe the approaches of high-level state officials and decision-makers to diplomacy, their communication styles, and their attitudes during crises. Seeing the practical application of the knowledge we learned in classes was invaluable for us.”
Ahmethan Yenice, on the other hand, stated that the impressions he gained during the forum gave him a new perspective, saying, “The stances, communication styles, and strategic approaches of state officials gave me a profound vision. This experience helped me to more clearly define my future goals.” Expressing their pride in representing Near East University and its departments on an international platform, the students highlighted that the forum offered an eye-opening opportunity for young people studying political science and international relations.