07/01/2026
Emre Erol, Director of Foundations Development, visited Amsterdam University College (AUC) as part of the AI & the Core Initiative, launched at the Core Curriculum Summer Retreat (CCSR) hosted by the Foundations Development Directorate (FDD) in Istanbul in September 2025.
CCSR 2025, titled “Core Curriculum & Disruptive Technologies”, brought together faculty members, students and policy-makers from Sabancı University, AUC, the University of Amsterdam and VU Amsterdam. CCSR focused on examining how Gen-AI is transforming higher education, with particular focus on liberal arts and sciences education and the future of core curricula.
On November 13, AUC hosted a working session to advance on the product of these discussions, a joint report summarizing the key outcomes of CCSR. The session addressed shared questions around how core curricula can respond to the opportunities and challenges introduced by Gen-AI. The two institutions agreed on the outlines of the upcoming report, and decided to share their experiences with disruptive technologies in the near future. This visit also contributed to extending collaboration between Sabancı University and AUC, which is co-run by University of Amsterdam and VU Amsterdam; building on the common educational priorities and values. The institutions agreed to encourage their academics and staff to better utilize Erasmus mobility frameworks.
During his visit, Emre Erol delivered a talk on the future of core curricula and the implications of AI for various functions of university education. He also attended several of the AUC’s Academic Core classes, engaged with students and faculty members, and contributed to classroom discussions as a guest lecturer.
CCSR 2025: Disruptive Technologies and Core Curriculum and the subsequent visit to AUC reflect FDD’s joint efforts to critically engage with emerging technologies, fostering meaningful international collaborations, and contributing to the future of university education. Building on this shared vision, the Foundations Development Directorate and Amsterdam University College reaffirm their commitment to sustain and further develop their collaboration through continued dialogue, joint initiatives, and knowledge exchange.
The next step of this collaboration will take place in March 2026, with the visit of a committee of students and academics from AUC in Sabancı University Tuzla Campus where they will have the opportunity to attend and observe University Courses.
Click here to watch the CCSR 2025: Key Moments.
