Our University adopts the principles of equality, inclusiveness, and equal opportunity in its education and employment processes and implements planned actions aimed at increasing access to the University and participation in institutional life for underrepresented or disadvantaged groups. Within KTÜ’s framework for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, access to the University for underrepresented groups, prevention of discrimination, inclusive recruitment, and support for disadvantaged groups are addressed as complementary institutional mechanisms.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/surdurulebilirlik/ska-10-esitsizliklerin-azaltilmasi
Supporting the Recruitment and Participation of Women Students and Employees
Our University’s Policy on Women’s Applications and Admission to the University aims to increase women’s access to higher education and strengthen the principles of equality and non-discrimination throughout application, admission, and participation processes. The policy includes institutional objectives such as supporting the application and enrolment processes of women applicants, encouraging women’s participation particularly in areas where they are underrepresented, and strengthening women’s access to academic and professional opportunities.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/surdurulebilirlik/kadin-universiteye-basvurulari-ve-giris-politikasi
In addition, the University’s outreach approach for women extends beyond women students to include support for the participation of women academic and administrative staff in institutional life. Through mentoring, career support, academic support, and gender equality initiatives, the University aims to strengthen women’s representation in education and employment.
Evidence: https://surdurulebilirlik.ktu.edu.tr/dosyalar/surdurulebilirlik_paXe2.pdf
Targeted Activities to Recruit International Students
In 2025, our University carried out planned promotional activities aimed at recruiting international students. On 30 May 2025, the KTÜ Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics organised an online international promotion event for high school students in Baku, Azerbaijan. Prospective students were introduced to the Department’s academic structure, educational opportunities, laboratory infrastructure, exchange programmes, and career opportunities. This activity represents a targeted student recruitment initiative designed to reach a specific international prospective student group directly.
Our University also participated in the NAFSA 2025 International Education Conference and Expo from 27–30 May 2025, where it promoted its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes internationally and held meetings with higher education institutions from different countries to enhance student and staff mobility and increase international visibility. This activity is a concrete example of the University’s planned internationalisation approach aimed at diversifying its international student and academic community.
Evidence: https://surdurulebilirlik.ktu.edu.tr/tr/haber/universitemiz-nafsa-2025te
These promotional activities were supported by a dedicated international student application system established for the 2025–2026 academic year. Application, placement, and enrolment procedures for international applicants were administered through a separate institutional process, enabling candidates to apply online during 2025. In this way, both promotional activities and dedicated admission mechanisms were implemented to recruit international students to the University.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/oidb/duyuru/2025-2026-uluslararasi-ogrenci-basvurulari-icin-tiklayiniz
Targeted Recruitment of Staff from Disadvantaged Groups
In 2025, our University also implemented direct recruitment practices targeting disadvantaged groups. KTÜ conducted special permanent worker recruitment processes for candidates with the status of former convicts or persons injured in the fight against terrorism without being classified as disabled (TMY). For example, under the announcement dated 20 May 2025, applications were received for a permanent worker position reserved for this category, and the appointment process was completed. This practice demonstrates that a targeted recruitment mechanism for a specific disadvantaged group was actively implemented in 2025.
Similarly, a separate permanent worker recruitment process for former convicts/TMY candidates was conducted under the announcement dated 27 January 2025, and the successful candidate was announced to begin employment on 24 March 2025. This demonstrates that the targeted employment approach was not a one-off initiative but was implemented repeatedly during 2025.
Inclusive Recruitment of Academic and Administrative Staff
Recruitment processes for academic and other staff are conducted in accordance with the University’s Anti-Discrimination Employment Policy, based on merit, qualifications, and institutional needs. The policy aims to prevent discrimination and ensure equal opportunity throughout different stages of employment, including recruitment, appointment, career development, promotion, training, and remuneration. This approach provides a fundamental institutional safeguard against the exclusion of underrepresented groups from application and employment processes.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/surdurulebilirlik/ayrimcilikla-ilgili-istihdam-politikasi
Our University also operates a separate institutional process for the employment of international academic staff. The Personnel Department has defined in detail the procedures for the initial appointment, contractual arrangements, title changes, and other employment processes of international academic personnel. This dedicated procedure demonstrates that the University has an institutional mechanism for recruiting international faculty members.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/personel/yabanci-uyruklu-ogretim-elemani-istihdam-sureci
The 2025 personnel statistics published by the KTÜ Personnel Department also show that international academic staff from different countries are employed at the University. This demonstrates that the institutional mechanism for recruiting international academics is actively used in practice.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/personel/2025-istatistiklerisi
