T.C Istanbul Arel University Policy Statement (EPS)

Istanbul Arel University’s ERASMUS+ Policy Statement (EPS)

Istanbul Arel University was established on May 18, 2007 by the Kemal Gözükara Education and Culture Foundation. The university is non-profit and foundation-supported carrying on the mission of its founder who brings 20 years of experience to quality teaching and intensive research starting with kindergarten onto high school and the university. It is quickly becoming recognized as one of the distinguished institutions of higher learning in the country.

AREL has 5 faculties, one School of Applied Science, one school of Health Science and a School of Foreign Languages with a two-year vocational School offering 48 programs. In addition to these first-cycle programs, there are 2 graduate schools. AREL has 5300 students in both the Tepekent and Sefaköy campuses which are located on the European side of Istanbul. More than 50% of  the students are on scholarship.  The Tepekent Campus has been designed to provide the most modern facilities for a recreational area catering to culture, art, athletics and entertainment. Our vocational School and the continuing education center are located in the Sefaköy campus which is 4 km away from the Atatürk International Airport.

The university has the strategic objective of extending its’ international reach through  the Erasmus+ Programs. The university board, the Board of Trustees, the Rector, the Vice Rectors, General Secretary and the Erasmus+ and International Relations Office strongly encourage international cooperation as a means of enriching our curriculum and focusing our academic vision. The intent of increasing cooperation with so many institutions is not only to increase student and staff mobility, but also student placement in the larger business environment.

AREL has been awarded the EUC (TR ISTANBU29). The university has fully committed itself, for the period of 2014-2020, to participate in Erasmus+ Program activities.

The university has facilitated the use of ECTS (credits) in all curriculum development and it has established strong partnerships (over 80) for student and staff mobility. The university has been also awarded Diploma Supplement Label (DS). It is also planning to reach out for transnational student placements.

The Erasmus+ and International office which has 3 specialists, an Erasmus Institutional Coordinator and Erasmus Departmental Coordinators with the Rector, coordinates and promotes partnerships with institutions and tries to remove barriers between them. The office extensively publishes all its’ activities on the university’s web site as well as distributing leaflets and catalogs (www.international.arel.edu.tr).

The university recognizes the special needs of disabled students, providing easy assess for all  facilities. The Equal Opportunity Policies of the university apply to everybody. The Rector’s Committee strictly enforces a policy regarding such global issues such as racism, xenophobia and human rights.