Prof. Dr. Gülsün Sağlamer

Under the resolution by the Senate of Mykolas Romeris University, as of the 30th of November, 2023, the long-time President of the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA), Prof. Dr. Gülsün Sağlamer, is awarded the title of Mykolas Romeris University Doctor Honoris Causa, for her significant contributions to advancing gender equality in European research and higher education institutions. Her efforts have brought together gender equality experts, educational and research organizations, representatives of the European Union, and European university leaders to collaboratively remove barriers for women pursuing academic careers, open opportunities for leadership in education and science, and promote best practices in gender equality within academic communities and society.

Prof. Sağlamer has also been recognized for her substantial research in gender equality, her remarkable achievements in uniting the global academic community to address shared challenges in research policy, academic evaluation, doctoral education development, and improving the quality of higher education, as well as her consistent support in expanding Mykolas Romeris University’s international academic collaboration opportunities. The honorary degree was presented on October 28, 2024.

Prof. Dr. Gülsün Sağlamer holds a Master of Architecture degree from Istanbul Technical University (1967). She served as the first and only female Rector of Istanbul Technical University (1996–2004).

Additionally, she was a founding board member and the first President of EWORA (2015–2023), a member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) (2003–2024), President of the Community of Mediterranean Universities (CMU) (2012–2016), a Board Member of the European University Association (EUA) (2005–2009), a member of the Steering Committee of the EUA Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) (2009–2013), and a member of the EUA Research Policy Working Group (2005–2017).

At Istanbul Technical University, she founded the Center for Women’s Studies in Science, Engineering, and Technology and served as its Director (2009–2012). She also organized four European Women Rectors Conferences at Istanbul Technical University (2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014) and chaired the European Women Rectors Platform (EWRP), established in 2008.

Prof. Sağlamer has delivered more than 100 keynote speeches at international conferences on architecture and higher education, addressing topics such as research policy, quality assurance, and funding.