21/05/2026
Sabancı University hosted the GE4 Annual Global Education Summit 2026 on May 11–13, 2026. Held under the theme “Bridging Cultures, Shaping Futures: Global Learning in an AI-Driven World,” the event focused on internationalization in higher education, global learning in the age of AI, engineering education, and intercultural collaboration.
The summit brought together representatives from academia and the private sector, GE4 Network leaders, and participants from universities around the world. Discussions centered on the future of higher education and the development of international partnerships.
The GE4 (Global Education for Engineers and Entrepreneurs) network supports international collaboration in engineering, entrepreneurship, and global education. Sabancı University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences is an active member of this international network.
A total of 26 participants from nine countries attended the summit in person in Istanbul, alongside online participants. The first afternoon sessions also included international visitors attending Sabancı University’s International Staff Week program held during the same week. In total, more than 70 academics, higher education professionals, and internationalization experts from 25 countries participated, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary interaction, and network building.
The program addressed topics such as the role of universities in a changing global environment, AI-supported learning models, the impact of international partnerships, and the future of education. Following the opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Erkay Savaş, Dean of Sabancı University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, delivered a keynote speech titled “Global Learning in an AI Era,” examining the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education and global learning.
In the “Global Leadership Forum,” Prof. Dr. Cem Güneri from Sabancı University participated as a speaker, moderated by İnanç Arın. The session explored intercultural leadership, global collaboration, and the future of higher education in the AI era.
The session “Global Education for European Engineers and Entrepreneurs 1996–2026” focused on the evolution of the GE4 Network over the past three decades and changing global needs in engineering education.
On the second day, Dr. Choltis Dhrathiti, former ASEAN University Network executive and current Director of SEAMEO RIHED, delivered an online keynote titled “Universities Without Walls,” discussing purpose-driven internationalization strategies in higher education.
During the “From Partnership to Impact” forum, Alexis Carrière, Internationalization Officer at IMT Mines Albi and a doctoral researcher in higher education internationalization, discussed the impact of international partnerships on students and institutions.
The “Spark Talks” session featured participants sharing ideas on global learning, artificial intelligence, and international mobility. Speakers included Sabancı University representatives Yuki Kaneko and Duygu Karaoğlan Altop.
The program also included a “Partner Labs” session led by Prof. Dr. Nordin Yahaya from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, focusing on practical guidance for Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project applications. Yahaya, who also serves as Vice President of the GE4 Network, shared his experience in digital transformation and internationalization in higher education.
Members of the GE4 International Advisory Board were also among the speakers. Investment expert Nils Albert, who held senior leadership roles at international companies including GE, TPG, and Sixth Street, shared insights on global leadership and strategic transformation.
Andreas Lipp, with more than 25 years of experience across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East within BMW Group, spoke about international collaboration and intercultural management.
Tanja Trattnig, working in private banking and risk management, contributed perspectives on sustainable finance, leadership, and global business networks.
As part of the program, participants visited laboratories at Sabancı University’s Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, met with faculty members, and toured the Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center.
Hosted by Sabancı University, the summit highlighted the university’s internationalization efforts, its role in engineering and research, and its active participation in global academic networks.
Participant Reflections
Isabella Dufour-Baumgartner, IMT Mines Albi, France:
My student as an exchange student at Sabanci University experiences the same wonderful experience of feeling welcome, very interesting classes, so nice people !
Nordin Yahaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia:
A huge thank you to Sabancı University for an exceptionally well-organized event. The intense discourse in the seminar rooms was wonderful, and experiencing the majestic city of Istanbul, especially during last night’s memorable gala dinner, will stay with us for a very long time. I didn’t have the chance to present UTM in the sessions, but I’ve attached a brief slide about us here. Thank you to all participants for the engaging energy.
Virna Eccli, University of Trento, Italy:
I just want to congratulate Sabanci University for the excellent organization of the event and for giving us a chance to visit their campus and cutting-edge labs.
