Isparta University of Applied Sciences held an information session titled “Exchange Support and Programmes in Higher Education” on 8 October 2026. At the event in the Abdullah Tayyip Olçok Conference Hall, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serkan Özdemir of Sütçüler Prof. Dr. Hasan Gürbüz Vocational School presented the national and international exchange opportunities open to associate degree students.
Dr. Özdemir covered how the Erasmus+, Farabi and Mevlana exchange programmes work, along with their eligibility requirements and selection criteria. He noted that associate degree programmes last two years and stressed that students should apply for Erasmus+ in the spring term of their first year. He also walked students through each stage of the process, from preparing the learning agreement to having their courses recognised on return.
The second part of the session introduced the TÜBİTAK Scientist Support Programmes. It gave particular attention to the 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Programme, which is open to associate degree students, and reminded the audience that this year’s call closes on 11 November 2026. Dr. Özdemir also shared his own experience as a postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven in Belgium with Prof. Dr. Bart Muys, supported by the TÜBİTAK 2219 International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme.
The session ended with practical advice on grade point averages, foreign language preparation and application deadlines.