Atatürk Üniversitesi, as a coherent institutional body, has deeply integrated international collaboration on gathering, measuring and benchmarking data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its strategy, governance structures and research-infrastructure. This commitment is realised through membership of global networks, participation in international projects, hosting collaborative events, alignment of internal monitoring systems with global frameworks, and adoption of external data partnerships.
International Network Membership & Institutional Integration
The University formally became a member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Global Network and the national chapter SDSN Türkiye, thus joining the network of institutions driving SDG implementation through evidence-based research and data-sharing. birimler.atauni.edu.tr
This membership provides Atatürk Üniversitesi with a structured platform for international collaboration on SDG-data: it enables participation in SDSN’s indicator-benchmarking systems, sharing of datasets across member institutions, and contribution to global reporting efforts. For example, the University’s Environment Problems Application & Research Centre hosts the SDSN Türkiye “Üyeler ve Paydaşlar Toplantısı” (Members & Stakeholders Meeting) on 21 May 2025. birimler.atauni.edu.tr
By embedding its membership into institutional units, the University acts as a body in global data collaboration—rather than solely via individual researchers.
Engagement in International Projects & Data Generation
In addition to network membership, Atatürk Üniversitesi participates in international research projects which generate data relevant to SDG measurement and cross-country comparison. For example:
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The University received a top-score grant under the Horizon Europe MSCA call (Citizens scheme) for the project “Science from Nature to your Table”, which involves international consortium partners and data-sharing across countries. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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The University holds the “European Youth Portal” profile and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Quality Label, indicating engagement in programmes with transnational data- and action-oriented frameworks. Avrupa Gençlik Portalı
These projects show the University’s active role in data-collecting initiatives with an international dimension, contributing to SDG indicators or related metrics via cross-border collaboration.
Data Monitoring, Reporting Framework & Institutional Alignment
Atatürk Üniversitesi has internal monitoring systems aligned with SDG data needs:
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The Strategic Plan 2024–2028 includes measurable indicators aligned with SDGs (e.g., SDG 4, 8, 9, 17), thereby creating internal datasets that can be compared internationally.
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The University’s application research and monitoring centres (such as the Environment Problems Centre) regularly publish event-records, data outputs, benchmarking information and collaborate with SDSN on indicator releases (e.g., SDSN Türkiye 2023 Members Council Meeting held on 14 June 2023). birimler.atauni.edu.tr
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The publicly accessible membership and event announcements show transparency of participation and enable external verification of data-collaboration activities.
Institutional Ownership & Sustained Collaboration
The University ensures institutional ownership of this international collaboration: membership records, project approvals, centre mandates and strategic statements place data-collaboration as a long-term institutional goal.
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The University’s “Avrupa Üniversiteler Birliği (EUA)” membership (April 2024) further reinforces international engagement in higher-education policy, research and data exchange. auido.atauni.edu.tr
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The presence of formal units (research centres, international relations office, strategy department) with clearly stated mandates to engage in global networks ensures sustainability of the collaboration.
