Dokuz Eylül University (DEÜ) is one of Türkiye’s major public universities, located in Izmir, one of the country’s key educational, economic and port centres on the Aegean coast.
The university was established on 20 July 1982 and today combines education and scientific research across a wide range of disciplines — from engineering, medicine and maritime transport to economics, law, social sciences, arts and tourism. (global.deu.edu.tr)
Unlike a university concentrated on a single isolated campus, DEÜ is integrated into the urban environment. Its academic units are located in different parts of Izmir, including Buca, Balçova, Konak, Narlıdere, Urla and other districts of the city. (oryantasyon.deu.edu.tr)
More than 56,000 students and a broad academic structure
According to official Dokuz Eylül University statistics as of 1 September 2026, the university has 56,071 students, including almost 40,000 undergraduate students and more than 5,800 master’s and doctoral students. (ogrenci.deu.edu.tr)
The university includes 18 faculties, as well as institutes, vocational schools, a state conservatory, research centres and university hospitals. (deu.edu.tr)
Among the faculties of Dokuz Eylül University are:
- Maritime Faculty;
- Faculty of Engineering;
- Faculty of Medicine;
- Faculty of Dentistry;
- Faculty of Law;
- Faculty of Business;
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences;
- Faculty of Architecture;
- Faculty of Science;
- Faculty of Tourism;
- Faculty of Letters;
- Buca Faculty of Education;
- Faculty of Fine Arts;
- Faculty of Nursing;
- Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation;
- Faculty of Theology;
- Necat Hepkon Faculty of Sport Sciences;
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
This academic structure creates opportunities not only for specialised research but also for interdisciplinary cooperation at the intersection of transport, economics, digitalisation, sustainability and management.
International development as part of the university strategy
International cooperation is one of DEÜ’s key development areas.
In 2018, the Higher Education Council of Türkiye (YÖK) selected the university as one of 20 pilot universities for the implementation of an internationalisation strategy. (global.deu.edu.tr)
Today, the official internationalisation strategy of Dokuz Eylül University focuses on developing international partnerships, increasing academic and student mobility, creating joint educational programmes, expanding international research and projects, and strengthening the university’s global academic visibility. (international.deu.edu.tr)
The university also holds full institutional accreditation from YÖKAK, valid until 28 June 2027. (kalite.deu.edu.tr)
Dokuz Eylül University Maritime Faculty
For professionals in transport, logistics, port operations and maritime research, Dokuz Eylül University Maritime Faculty is of particular interest.
The Faculty’s history dates back to 1988, when the university established the first higher education unit in Türkiye specialising in maritime business and management. (denizcilik.deu.edu.tr)
Today, education is provided in four main areas:
- Maritime Business Administration;
- Marine Transport Engineering;
- Marine Engineering;
- Logistics Management.
The language of instruction in the main Maritime Faculty programmes is English. (denizcilik.deu.edu.tr)
According to university statistics for September 2026, 1,503 students are enrolled at the Maritime Faculty. (ogrenci.deu.edu.tr)
More than theory: simulators and practical training
One of the Faculty’s important strengths is its extensive infrastructure for practical training.
According to the official Maritime Faculty facilities page, the Faculty has a total of 28 laboratories, simulators and training centres. (denizcilik.deu.edu.tr)
These include:
- Radar Navigation Simulator;
- Navigational Aids Simulator;
- GMDSS Simulator;
- Survival at Sea Laboratory;
- Basic Seamanship Laboratory;
- Basic Navigation Laboratory;
- Electronic Communications Laboratory;
- Marine Engineering Laboratories.
This format is particularly important in maritime education because it allows academic training to be combined with practical tasks related to shipping, logistics and the management of maritime operations.
Erasmus+ and international mobility
Dokuz Eylül University actively participates in Erasmus+. The university’s Erasmus code is TR IZMIR01. (international.deu.edu.tr)
International lecturers, researchers and staff can participate in Erasmus+ Staff Mobility, including Teaching Mobility and Staff Training Mobility.
For Staff Training, the university recommends contacting the relevant department approximately two months before the planned visit. The initial application should include information about the home university and its Erasmus code, the applicant’s professional field, the DEÜ unit to be visited and the proposed mobility dates. After initial approval, the request is forwarded to the Erasmus+ coordinator of the relevant unit. (international.deu.edu.tr)
Once the visit is agreed, the parties may prepare a Mobility Agreement for Training, while the receiving unit may issue an Invitation Letter. At the end of the mobility period, the host coordinator may sign a Confirmation of Training Mobility. (international.deu.edu.tr)
This format is particularly suitable for lecturers and researchers who want to spend several days at an international university to exchange professional experience, learn about educational practices, discuss research and establish new academic contacts.
The Dokuz Eylül University International Academic Relations Office separately coordinates international mobility and Erasmus+ programmes.
Opportunities for students
Erasmus+ at DEÜ is also available to students.
Under KA131, students may participate in Study Mobility and Traineeship Mobility, including mobility at doctoral study level. (international.deu.edu.tr)
For incoming students, the procedure includes an official nomination from the home university, registration, a Learning Agreement, proof of language proficiency and the subsequent issue of a Letter of Acceptance. (international.deu.edu.tr)
The Maritime Faculty itself already has an active Erasmus environment. According to the Maritime Faculty Erasmus+ statistics, students from Maritime Business Administration, Logistics Management, Marine Transport Engineering and Marine Engineering have participated in the programme. Their destinations have included partner universities in Germany, Poland, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and other countries. (denizcilik.deu.edu.tr)
The current list of Erasmus+ agreements of the Maritime Faculty includes partners from Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Finland, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania and other countries. (denizcilik.deu.edu.tr)
Practical experience of visiting Dokuz Eylül University
In September 2026, a representative of our team visited Dokuz Eylül University Maritime Faculty as part of an Erasmus+ Staff Training Mobility.
The visit took place from 7 to 10 September 2026 and focused on the international exchange of academic and professional experience in maritime transport and port activities.
The programme included discussions on:
- smart ports and the digitalisation of port processes;
- CO₂ emissions management in ports;
- sustainable development of maritime transport;
- Just-in-Time Arrival;
- automation and digital technologies;
- scientific research in port logistics;
- possible directions for joint publications and further academic cooperation.
We would like to express special thanks to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Açık, International Relations Coordinator at the Maritime Faculty, for his organisational support, professional communication and openness to future cooperation.
Personal professional contact often becomes the starting point for more substantial initiatives — a joint publication, a research project, a new Erasmus+ exchange or long-term cooperation between specialists and universities.
International academic cooperation: how we can help
Finding the right international university is only the first stage of international cooperation.
In practice, it is necessary to identify the most relevant department and specialist, formulate the purpose of the contact, establish communication, agree on the cooperation format and correctly manage the organisational process.
Our company helps lecturers, researchers, PhD students, students and educational organisations develop international academic cooperation.
We can help to:
- identify an international university, faculty or research group relevant to a specific field;
- find suitable professors, researchers and international coordinators;
- establish initial contact with the university;
- prepare a professional letter and presentation of a cooperation proposal;
- develop a programme for an academic or research visit;
- organise Erasmus+ Staff Training or Teaching Mobility;
- assist with the preparation of a Mobility Agreement, invitation and related communication;
- identify international mobility opportunities for students and PhD candidates;
- find partners for joint research or scientific publications;
- explore opportunities for international projects, seminars, workshops and guest lectures;
- support communication with international partners at different stages of cooperation.
From an international contact to a real result
For us, it is important that international cooperation does not end with a single meeting or one trip.
After the initial contact, it is useful to define clear next steps, responsible participants and approximate timelines — for example, preparing a joint publication, developing a research idea, submitting a project proposal, organising reciprocal staff mobility or holding a joint academic event.
This approach makes it possible to transform international mobility from a one-time activity into a sustainable professional and scientific partnership.
If you represent a university, or if you are a lecturer, researcher, PhD student or student looking for international partners, planning Erasmus+ mobility or seeking to develop international scientific cooperation, our team can support you throughout the process — from finding the right contact to organising the first joint project.
As a starting point for exploring the university independently, you can also use the official international portal of Dokuz Eylül University and the International Academic Relations Office.
