Lokman Hekim University

Within the scope of our NAFSA Tangier Summit 2026 visits, and with the participation of Prof. Dr. Fatih Gültekin, Rector of Lokman Hekim University, and Prof. Dr. Zeliha Koçak Tufan, we held a productive meeting with Professor Aisha El-Hammani, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, the Vice President of Hassan II University of Casablanca, Professor Mohammed Tahiri Joutei Hassani from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Prof. Hakima Aghoutan from the Faculty of Dental Medicine.

During the meeting, Lokman Hekim University’s academic structure in health sciences, education programs, research capacity, and internationalization vision were presented. Potential areas of cooperation were discussed, including Erasmus+ agreements, student and staff mobility, joint research projects, and the International Researcher Program.

We believe that strong partnerships between Türkiye and Morocco in higher education will pave the way for sustainable and high-quality collaborations in the field of health sciences.

We would like to thank the management of Hassan II University of Casablanca for their kind hospitality.

The NAFSA Summit Tangier, which brought together approximately 170 delegates from different countries, served as an important platform for discussing current global debates on internationalization in higher education. At this summit, we participated as Lokman Hekim University, as the only university and the sole speaker representing Türkiye.

Prof. Dr. Zeliha Tufan Koçak took part in the panel alongside Prof. John Hudzik, Vice President and Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University, who previously served as Dean and Vice President for International Programs, Acting University Provost, former President of the NAFSA Board of Directors, and former President of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA).

The panel, titled “Moving Comprehensive Internationalization Forward in Shifting Global Conditions,” focused on how higher education institutions can sustain internationalization policies amid global uncertainty and multiple overlapping crises, and how these efforts can be advanced in a more effective and meaningful way.

During the panel, Prof. Dr. Zeliha Tufan Koçak highlighted the regional strength and resilience of Türkiye’s higher education system. Drawing on Lokman Hekim University’s internationalization practices, she addressed Türkiye’s experience in integrating asylum seeker and migrant students into higher education during periods of global crisis; the development of inclusive and responsive regulatory frameworks; and the changing nature of internationalization, emphasizing the need for higher education institutions to adopt more strategic, sustainable, and impact-driven approaches.

As Lokman Hekim University, we continue to actively contribute to global discussions on higher education by embracing an approach to internationalization that goes beyond student and staff mobility, encompassing education, research, and societal impact. We would like to thank NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw for her leadership and contributions in making this important summit possible.

As part of the NAFSA 2026 Summit, we had the opportunity to visit the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Mohammed V University in Rabat and meet with Dean Prof. Dr. Brahim Lekehal and the faculty leadership. On behalf of Lokman Hekim University, Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Gültekin introduced the University’s academic structure, its strong educational capacity in the health sciences, and its internationalization vision. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Tufan Koçak delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting Türkiye’s research and higher education ecosystem, the academic cooperation potential between Türkiye and Morocco, as well as opportunities for student and academic staff mobility and joint education and research initiatives.

We hope that this productive exchange will pave the way for sustainable and impactful academic partnerships between our institutions and further strengthen Türkiye–Morocco collaboration in higher education and research.

Associate Professor Dr. Faisal Abdulrahman OSRA, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ankara, paid a courtesy visit to our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatih Gültekin.

The quotas for the Master’s and Doctoral programs of Lokman Hekim University Institute of Health Sciences for the 2025–2026 Academic Year Spring Semester have been determined. Applications will be accepted online between December 10, 2025 and January 9, 2026.

📌 For detailed information and applications, please visit our website.

[email protected]

On October 28, 2025, Lokman Hekim University had the pleasure of welcoming a distinguished delegation from Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY).

The delegation included Dr. Maria Ulfa, Ph.D., Head of Industry Partnership and Employability, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Drg. Iwan Dewanto, M.M., Ph.D., Faculty of Dentistry.

The meeting was attended on behalf of Lokman Hekim University by Prof. Dr. Fatih Gültekin, Rector; Prof. Dr. İsmet Şahin, Vice Rector; Prof. Dr. Zehra Gölbaşı, Prof. Dr. Emin Turgut Talı, Head of the Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Semih Çalamak, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy; and the International Relations Office team.

During the meeting, both institutions explored opportunities for cooperation in the fields of health sciences, academic and staff mobility, joint research, and the International Researcher Program at Lokman Hekim University.

The visit concluded with a tour of the VITAL Simulation Center and mutual expressions of intent to strengthen academic and cultural relations between Türkiye and Indonesia. 🇹🇷🇮🇩

🌎 At the Melaka International Halal Festival (MIHF’25), our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mehmet ALTUG, and Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatih GULTEKIN, paid courtesy visits to H.E. Mohd Ali Rustam, Governor of Melaka, and H.E. Oknha Datuk Dr. Othsman Hassan, Cambodia’s Minister in Charge of Special Missions. ✨

🌍 As part of the Malaysia visit on 17 October 2025, the Lokman Hekim University delegation participated in the Melaka International Halal Festival (MIHF’25). ✨

📍During the festival, the delegation engaged with representatives from various universities, institutions, and organizations involved in halal research, certification, and development.

🤝 Meetings and discussions were held with:
🔹 Khairul Anam Che Rani, representative of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM),
🔹 Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC),
🔹 Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM),
🔹 University of Malaya (UM).

These interactions focused on exploring joint initiatives in halal certification, research, and higher education, aiming to strengthen cooperation between Türkiye and Malaysia in the global halal ecosystem. 🌿

🌿 On 16 October 2025, the Lokman Hekim University delegation visited the Halal Product Research Institute (HPRI) at University Putra Malaysia (UPM). ✨

🔹The delegation was warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr. Awis Qurni Sazili, Director of HPRI, and his team. Both institutions exchanged views on potential areas of collaboration and joint research initiatives within the fields of halal science, health, and higher education. 🤝

📍Within the scope of the Malaysia visit, our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mehmet ALTUG, and Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatih GULTEKIN, held official meetings at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

🔹A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between both universities to strengthen academic collaboration. In addition, the delegation visited the International Institute for Halal Research and Training (INHART), where a Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed to further enhance cooperation in the field of halal research and education. 🤝

🌏 Under the leadership of our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mehmet ALTUG, and Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatih GULTEKIN, a grand networking dinner was organized at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta on 15 October 2025, marking the final day of the delegation’s visit to Indonesia. ✨

The event brought together H.E. Talip KÜÇÜKCAN, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Jakarta, along with his esteemed team, as well as academics, bureaucrats, and business representatives from various Indonesian institutions. 🤝

On the final day of their official visit to Indonesia, October 15, 2025, our President of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mehmet ALTUĞ, and our Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatih GÜLTEKİN, visited Prof. Arief Sjamsulaksan Kartasasmita, dr., SpM(K), M.Kes., Ph.D., Rector of Padjadjaran University. ✨

Both universities reached a mutual understanding to establish academic cooperation in the near future.

We extend our heartfelt thanks for the warm hospitality and kind reception.