11th METU Erasmus+ International Staff Training Week
Beyond Mobility: Green, Inclusive and Responsible Internationalization
Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
14–18 June 2027

Middle East Technical University is pleased to announce the 11th METU Erasmus+ International Staff Training Week, which will take place on 14–18 June 2027 as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).

Building on more than a decade of experience in international staff mobility and institutional cooperation, this year’s programme will bring together two closely interconnected priorities of higher education: green transformation and inclusion.

The 2027 edition will explore how universities can make internationalization more sustainable, accessible and inclusive while continuing to strengthen mobility, institutional cooperation and intercultural exchange.

The programme will bring together international office professionals, academic and administrative staff, and colleagues working in mobility, sustainability, inclusion and internationalization to exchange good practices, discuss institutional approaches and develop new ideas for more responsible international cooperation.

This year’s theme has a particularly strong connection with METU and Türkiye. METU Campus was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2026 as “METU | Middle East Technical University Campus: A Living Modern Cultural Landscape,” highlighting the unique relationship between its modern architecture, natural environment and campus life. At the same time, Türkiye’s hosting of COP31 in 2026 provides a timely context for discussing climate action, sustainability and the role of universities in contributing to a greener future.

Throughout the week, participants will explore questions such as:

  • How can international mobility become greener and more sustainable?
  • How can universities ensure that Erasmus+ and international opportunities are accessible to a wider range of participants?
  • How can inclusion, diversity and environmental responsibility be embedded in internationalization strategies?
  • How can university campuses act as living laboratories for sustainability and inclusion?
  • How can international offices turn European priorities into practical institutional policies and mobility practices?

The programme will combine interactive workshops, peer-learning sessions, institutional good-practice exchanges, collaborative activities and campus-based experiences.

In line with the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) format, the physical programme in Ankara will be complemented by a compulsory online component, allowing participants to connect and begin exchanging practices before arriving at METU.

Participants will also have the opportunity to experience METU’s distinctive campus environment and discover its approach to sustainability, accessibility, inclusion and international engagement.

Continuing one of the most appreciated traditions of METU International Staff Training Week, the programme will once again include an optional Cappadocia cultural trip.

The trip will offer participants the opportunity to discover one of Türkiye’s most remarkable cultural and natural landscapes while strengthening networking and intercultural exchange beyond the formal programme.

The participation fee for the Cappadocia trip will be announced separately.

Applications

Applications will be received through our online application form:

Application Form (will be announced very soon)

Application Deadline: 15 March, 2027

Please note that submitting an application does not automatically guarantee participation. Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the programme profile, institutional diversity and available capacity.

Participants are encouraged to contact the Erasmus+/International Relations Office of their home institution regarding possible Erasmus+ staff mobility funding.

Contact

For Programme Countries (KA131):
europeanmobility@metu.edu.tr

For Partner Countries (KA171):
icm@metu.edu.tr

Further details regarding the tentative programme, online component, participation arrangements and Cappadocia trip fee will be announced soon.

We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the Erasmus+ community to METU for five days of learning, exchange and collaboration toward a greener, more inclusive and more connected future.