Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) aims to enhance social benefit and contribute to regional development by building partnerships with institutions and organizations across sectors in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within this scope, KTU conducts significant collaborations with the Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality on disaster risk reduction, search-and-rescue drills, in-service trainings, and real estate valuation; with the Trabzon Provincial Health Directorate on identifying risk factors for chronic diseases and improving public health; and with regional universities on developing drug-candidate molecules from medicinal and aromatic plants. Joint work with the TOBB Trabzon Women Entrepreneurs Board supports an entrepreneurship culture, while cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services promotes lifelong learning for older adults through the Refreshment University program.
In addition, KTU advances experience sharing in museology with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); carries out projects with the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks on natural trout production and biodiversity conservation; fosters global partnerships through international events such as NAFSA; strengthens cross-border higher-education networks under Erasmus+; and raises environmental awareness via the LitOUTer and BlackNETs projects to protect the marine ecosystem. Moreover, KTU delivers multi-faceted outreach—such as the panel “6 February: What Did We Learn?,” disaster-awareness trainings, events that increase women’s visibility in science, and youth-focused career fairs—addressing diverse social groups.
Altogether, these initiatives demonstrate that KTU not only generates academic knowledge but also maintains strong dialogue with local governments, public agencies, the private sector, NGOs, and international stakeholders—contributing to global goals, notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Under protocols between KTU and the Municipality, the Landslide Research and Application Center will collaborate on disaster risk reduction, search-and-rescue drills, and in-service trainings. The Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences provides postgraduate and certificate programs to support staff upskilling; academic expertise is also offered for real estate valuation and zoning practices. This university–public partnership serves the SDGs. (Link)
A protocol between KTU and the Trabzon Provincial Health Directorate will enable comprehensive identification of health risks among residents aged 18+, implement protective measures for individuals and society, and carry out public-health improvements to deliver the best possible services. (Link)
KTU, together with Artvin Çoruh University, Atatürk University, Iğdır University, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, signed a protocol to analyze plant content, identify fractions and bioactivities, conduct cancer screenings, design pre-clinical drug studies for effective metabolites, and develop drug-candidate molecules for species found in Trabzon, Artvin, Erzurum, Rize, Iğdır, and nearby regions. (Link)
A cooperation protocol between KTU and the TOBB Trabzon Women Entrepreneurs Board aims to strengthen the entrepreneurship culture and foster sustainable projects. (Link)
To encourage participation of individuals aged 60+ in lifelong learning, KTU launched the Refreshment University with the Ministry (Directorate-General of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly). The program increases access to knowledge, combats social exclusion and loneliness, and provides social support to prevent age-related vulnerabilities. (Link)
With support from KTU’s Department of Archaeology, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, JICA, and the JICA Association, the panel “Sharing Museology Experiences under Türkiye–Japan Technical Cooperation” was held at the Prof. Dr. Osman Turan Culture and Congress Center with broad participation from local and international stakeholders. (News link)
KTU participated in NAFSA 2024 (New Orleans, 28–31 May 2024). The delegation held numerous meetings to expand international links—especially within Erasmus+—and signed a cooperation protocol with Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (India) in Dentistry. (News link)
On the anniversary of the earthquakes, a joint event by KTU centers and partners brought experts together to share field experiences and lessons learned for their professions. It was held at the Prof. Dr. Osman Turan Culture and Congress Center with wide participation. (News link)
Under the protocol on “Natural Trout Production, Cultivation, and Stocking of In-Forest Waters,” a consultation meeting was held on 19 December 2024 at the Maçka Altındere Natural Trout R&D Center with participation from KTU and DKMP representatives. (News link)
Organized by the Exchange Programs Coordination Office, the event (4–8 November 2024) hosted 20 representatives from 12 universities across 10 countries, promoting new bilateral agreements and boosting KTU’s international visibility. (News link)
As part of the Disaster-Awareness Trainings, KTU teams visited Yalıncak Primary School on 03.01.2024. (News link)
Hosted at the Prof. Dr. Osman Turan Culture and Congress Center by the Turkish University Sports Federation, the symposium gathered academics, representatives, and students, with opening remarks by the KTU Rector. (News link)
Coordinated by the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye and hosted by KTU, DOKKAF’24 connected graduates and soon-to-be graduates with major companies and internship opportunities, with the participation of regional universities and local authorities. (News link)
Within the Trabzon Health Tourism Project led by TTSO and supported under the Ministry of Trade’s HİSER framework, KTU Farabi Hospital’s delegation conducted meetings in Baku to explore cooperation opportunities. (News link)
On 8 March, KTU’s Department of Biology organized a seminar highlighting women’s contributions to science, with support from the Trabzon Forest Nursery Directorate. (News link)
Under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s EU Financial Assistance—NEETPRO Grant Program—KTU partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to support young people not in education or employment. (News link)
Awareness activities designed for youth and children continue under the LitOUTer Project to protect the Black Sea ecosystem and reduce marine litter—recently with an event at the 88th Year Cumhuriyet Anatolian High School led by KTU’s Faculty of Marine Sciences. (News link)
The BlackNETs Project conducts public-awareness events on the impacts of ghost nets and ALDFG on marine ecosystems and species, aiming to reduce ghost nets and broaden the project’s outreach through seminars and stakeholder engagement. (News link)
