UF International Center Welcomes Erasmus+ Scholar from Yeditepe University in Turkey

The University of Florida International Center (UFIC) welcomed Yeşim Ekinci from Yeditepe University to campus from May 11-15 through the Erasmus+ Mobility Program, fostering interdisciplinary exchange and advancing institutional dialogue around internationalization, sustainable food systems, and future academic collaboration.

Dr. Ekinci is affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, where she serves as Chair of the Department of Food Engineering. She previously served as Vice President for Research at Yeditepe University and currently teaches in undergraduate and graduate programs related to food engineering and sustainable food systems.

Throughout the week-long visit, Dr. Ekinci engaged with faculty, researchers, and administrators across the University of Florida to exchange perspectives on global engagement, food systems transformation, and international partnership development. The visit also created opportunities to strengthen institutional ties between UF and Yeditepe University while exploring future pathways for collaborative research, virtual exchange, and external funding.

Yeşim Ekinci with Marta Wayne during Dr. Ekinci’s  Erasmus+ visit to the University of Florida.
Yeşim Ekinci meets with Marta  Wayne, Dean of the University of Florida International Center,
during her  Erasmus+ mobility visit to UF to discuss international collaboration and
global  engagement initiatives.

Exploring Internationalization and Global Learning

The visit began with a welcome meeting hosted by Marta Wayne, Dean of the UF International Center, who introduced UF’s global engagement priorities and discussed opportunities for international collaboration.

Dr. Ekinci also met with staff across UFIC, including the Office for Global Research Engagement (OGRE) and the Office of Global Learning (OGL), to explore approaches to curriculum internationalization, faculty development, international research engagement, and partnership building. Discussions highlighted virtual exchange (VE) and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), faculty and student mobility, and internationally focused programs such as the Global Fellows Program, Fulbright Programs, and the Research Abroad for Master’s and Doctoral Students Program.

At the Center for European Studies (CES), conversations focused on experiential learning, European food policy, Turkey–European Union relations, opportunities for virtual exchange, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  

Andrew MacIntosh and Yeşim Ekinci during a laboratory visit and discussion on
food science, innovation, and food processing research at UF’s Department of Food
Science and Human Nutrition.

Advancing Collaboration in Sustainable Food Systems and Agricultural Innovation

A major focus of the visit involved engagement across the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), where Dr. Ekinci connected with UF faculty working in sustainable food systems, agricultural innovation, nutrition, food policy, engineering, and emerging technologies.

Meetings with Allen (Al) Wysocki, Associate Dean for International Programs in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), focused on IFAS global engagement priorities and opportunities for institutional collaboration.

Dr. Ekinci also engaged with department chairs and faculty from the Departments of Food and Resource Economics (FRE), Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE), Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN), and Horticultural Sciences, as well as with Gbola Adesogan, Associate Vice President and Director of the Global Food Systems Institute (GFSI). Discussions explored interdisciplinary approaches to food systems, consumer behavior, food safety, global nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and artificial intelligence applications in agriculture.

Laboratory visits provided hands-on exposure to UF’s research ecosystem, including food-processing and sensory-evaluation laboratories, while showcasing the university’s strengths in translational and interdisciplinary research. “Visiting their state-of-the-art laboratories and research centers demonstrated a deep commitment to solving complex global challenges in food systems and sustainability,” said Dr. Ekinci. “This experience broadened my perspective on international academic cooperation and inspired several new ideas.”

Dr. Ekinci also emphasized the potential for long-term institutional collaboration. “I see exciting opportunities for partnership between our institutions, particularly in joint agrifood research, sustainability projects, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative global learning initiatives,” she said.  

Yeşim Ekinci meets with UF’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE)
department chair, Greg Kiker, assistant professor Ziynet Boz, and Aghane (Agnes) Antunes
from the UF International Center’s Office for Global Research Engagement (OGRE).

Building Long-Term Institutional Partnerships

The visit also underscored the important role academic mobility programs play in fostering sustained institutional relationships. Rather than serving as isolated engagements, these exchanges can help institutions identify shared priorities, strengthen interdisciplinary networks, and build trust for future collaboration. “Every meeting was highly productive and established a fantastic foundation for future academic exchange,” said Dr. Ekinci.

Can Baysal, assistant professor in UF’s Department of Horticultural Sciences,
and Yeşim Ekinci during a laboratory visit and discussion on innovation.