Manisa Celal Bayar University has been awarded a grant of €250,000 as the coordinating institution for its project titled “EmpowerED: Engaging Students for Sustainable Development and Green Transition”, submitted under the Erasmus+ KA220-HED (Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education) program.

MCBU Rector Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, in her meeting with the project team, stated:
“This achievement, obtained for the first time as a coordinator within the scope of Erasmus+, demonstrates the international cooperation capacity and innovative educational vision of our university. This success makes a significant contribution to our university’s vision of sustainable higher education and international recognition. With the EmpowerED project, we aim to ensure that our students become part of a sustainable world and the green transition, both academically and socially. On this occasion, I congratulate our project team and extend my gratitude to all our stakeholders who have supported this initiative.”

During the meeting, Rector Kibar was accompanied by Prof. Dr. Halil Babacan (Head of the International Relations Office), Lecturer İpek Yeniay Hatipoğlu (Erasmus Institutional Coordinator and Project Leader), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuna Can Güleç, Assist. Prof. Dr. Tuğçe Yağcı, Assist. Prof. Dr. Tülay Öncü Öner, Lecturer Dr. Ümit Hasan Gözkonan, and Res. Assist. Dr. Erdi Bayram.

The EmpowerED project aims to encourage university students to take an active role in sustainable development and green transition processes. Within the scope of the project, environment-oriented educational materials will be developed, digital learning tools will be utilized, sustainability-themed seminars and workshops will be organized, international knowledge exchange will be promoted, site visits to exemplary companies will be conducted, and campus-based green transition practices will be implemented.

The project partners include Manisa Organized Industrial Zone, Würzburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), University of Thessaly (Greece), Polytechnic University of Porto (Portugal), and the Eco Potential Foundation (Poland). In addition, associated supporting partners are İnci Holding Inc., Muradiye Organized Industrial Zone, and Karşıyaka Collective Entrepreneurship Center.

Planned to be implemented between 2025–2027, the EmpowerED project will not only enhance MCBU’s international visibility but also contribute to strengthening students’ competencies in sustainability and environmental awareness.