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Specialization has become a crucial agenda item in regional development-focused strategies for the growth and development of countries. Similarly, our country has prepared the “National Strategy for Regional Development” to achieve its 2023 goals, emphasizing the importance of the contribution that universities can make to enhancing the competitiveness of their respective regions.

Since 2004, the number of universities and accessibility to higher education in our country have increased significantly. In line with our country’s objectives, it is expected that these universities will integrate with the cities and regions where they are located, thereby fostering economic, social, and human capital development. To achieve this goal, universities need to reconsider their missions, moving away from uniformity to embrace institutional diversity and differentiation by focusing on their strengths.

To increase the contributions of universities to their regions and to encourage specialization in specific areas, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) in collaboration with the Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Development launched the “Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization” initiative, particularly targeting higher education institutions established post-2006.

​As part of this initiative, meetings were initially held with the presidents of all universities established after 2006 in 2015, explaining the initiative’s framework. By 2016, efforts to identify pilot universities gained momentum, and a commission, including external members, was formed to provide feedback and evaluation throughout the selection and monitoring phases.

Within this framework, our University has been included in the “Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization Program” conducted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), specializing in the field of “High Value-Added Agricultural Products.” Through this program, Iğdır University aims to integrate with the region, particularly Iğdır, to promote economic, social, and human capital development in the field of High Value-Added Agricultural Products, foster institutional diversity, and advance the university’s infrastructure to support specialization in this sector in alignment with national objectives.

As Iğdır University, we strive to build a connection between our local/regional and national development goals and our research strategies through University-Industry and University-City partnerships, contributing to local development objectives.

In this context, considering the needs and potential of both the region and the university, Iğdır University's specialization in High Value-Added Agricultural Products will lead to qualified human resources, an innovation culture, and investments geared toward value-added products for the region through university-industry collaboration. Additionally, through R&D and innovation activities aimed at specialization, the development of various high-value-added products using domestic resources will facilitate high-income-generating investments, import substitution, and create new employment opportunities, thereby contributing to regional and national development.