Promoting peaceful, inclusive, and accountable institutions is a core principle of Yeditepe University. The institution ensures democratic governance through elected student representation in the University Senate and formally recognises an independent Student Council operating under national higher-education regulations. Through its Sustainability Governance Framework and Community Engagement Policy, the university maintains written procedures for identifying and engaging local stakeholders—including municipalities, NGOs, public institutions, and civil society organisations—ensuring their participation in decision-making processes related to sustainability, education, urban development, and social responsibility.
In line with national higher-education law and Yeditepe University’s Academic Ethics and Research Policy, the university guarantees full academic freedom, protecting the right of faculty and researchers to freely choose research areas, publish findings, and speak publicly on their work without political or administrative interference. Transparency is also a central value: all financial data are publicly accessible through the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK) reporting system.
The university provides expert advice to governmental bodies through long-term collaborations, including the “Umut Elazığ Project,” which supports disaster-resilient urban planning. Additionally, Yeditepe regularly organises seminars, trainings and capacity-building programmes for policymakers and public officials in fields such as law, economics, digital transformation, migration governance and climate adaptation. Cooperation protocols with local municipalities—such as Ataşehir and Kadıköy—facilitate joint research and policy-development activities in sustainability, community wellbeing, and urban resilience.
Yeditepe University also serves as a neutral and safe platform for open dialogue among diverse political and social stakeholders. Events such as the WAPE Forum exemplify the institution’s commitment to constructive debate, democratic engagement, mutual respect, and academic neutrality.
Through these integrated practices, Yeditepe University strengthens peaceful, just, and inclusive institutional frameworks in alignment with SDG-16.
