On April 29–30, 2025, the UI GreenMetric Türkiye Workshop was held at the Ground Floor Meeting Room of the Rectorate Building in Burdur, Türkiye. Hosted by Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, the event brought together representatives from universities across Türkiye who are united by a strong commitment to sustainability and building more resilient, environmentally conscious campuses.
In 2024, Türkiye has demonstrated outstanding leadership in higher education sustainability, with 120 Turkish universities now participating in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Türkiye now stands among the most engaged countries worldwide in the UI GreenMetric network, reflecting its strong, collaborative commitment to advancing sustainability in higher education.
The workshop opened with a series of impactful remarks from distinguished sustainability leaders. Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy, Vice Rector of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, welcomed the participants and emphasized the vital role universities play in fostering environmental responsibility. He was followed by Prof. Dr. Ir. Tommy Ilyas, M.Eng, Expert Member of the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, who highlighted the global mission and progress of the UI GreenMetric network. The final keynote of the opening was delivered by Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Yıldırım, Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University and UI GreenMetric Türkiye National Coordinator, who shared Türkiye’s remarkable progress and roadmap within the global sustainability framework.
The workshop continued with four sessions, each focused on advancing the implementation of UI GreenMetric indicators in campus operations. These sessions provided an opportunity for shared learning and practical dialogue among sustainability practitioners in Turkish higher education.
The first session covered national and global strategies for sustainability. Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Yıldırım provided updates on the UI GreenMetric framework and gave a briefing on the development of the Turkish National Network. His presentation was followed by an introduction to UI GreenMetric and the UI GWURN (GreenMetric World University Ranking Network) by Prof. Ir. Gunawan Tjahjono, M.Arch., Ph.D.
The session concluded with a symbolic moment—the UI GreenMetric Network Membership Declaration Signing Ceremony—further reinforcing Türkiye’s commitment to collaborative sustainability efforts. Eight universities signed the declaration, opening new opportunities for enhanced collaboration in higher education under the UI GreenMetric frameworks. The universities are:
1. Siirt University
2. Pamukkale University
3. Isparta University of Applied Sciences
4. Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University
5. Bingöl University
6. Amasya University
7. Konya Technical University
8. Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University
In the second session, which focused on managing setting and infrastructure, energy, climate change, and waste, attendees heard from Prof. Dr. Halime Ömür Paksoy, who presented Çukurova University’s best practices in campus sustainability. Asst. Prof. Dr. Ufuk Özkan also shared a compelling case study of İzmir Kâtip Çelebi University’s transformation, titled “From Industrial Memory to a Resilient Future.”
The third session explored how campuses can effectively manage water, transportation, and sustainability in education and research. Research Asst. Dr. Tuğçe Kalkan shared real-life examples of water efficiency practices on university campuses. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ümit Güneş presented on developing sustainable transportation systems, while Asst. Prof. Dr. Kübra Ertan emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into both education and research.
Adding a hands-on dimension to the workshop, participants also took part in a Campus Tour hosted by Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. The tour offered a closer look at the university’s sustainability practices in action—from green infrastructure and energy systems to waste management and eco-conscious campus planning. It allowed attendees to see firsthand how sustainability principles are being implemented at the institutional level.
Over the course of two days, the UI GreenMetric Türkiye Workshop served not just as a platform for academic exchange but also as a symbol of Türkiye’s growing leadership in sustainability. The event reflected a shared passion and responsibility among Turkish universities to act collectively for a better future. The conversation around implementing sustainability as a foundational principle of universities will continue to take place, with Yildiz Technical University playing a pivotal role in hosting next year’s event.
UI GreenMetric invites even more institutions to join this global initiative. Together, we can take meaningful steps that turn ideas into action—and create a greener, more resilient academic world.
Written by Riska Putri Hariyadi - Communication Specialist of UI GreenMetric
Galleries
