PAU Achieves Dual Project Success in Erasmus+ Program and Sets a First
Pamukkale University (PAU) has become the only university in Türkiye to have two large-scale projects accepted simultaneously under the European Union’s Erasmus+ program. With Prof. Dr. Ahmet Koluman, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arzum Işıtan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömür Kaya Kalkan, and administrative staff member Berkay Turgut on the project teams and serving as project coordinators, the FRAME and VITAL projects will make strong contributions to Europe’s strategic goals in sustainability, digital transformation, and vocational education.
Behavioral Transformation in Food Systems Begins with the FRAME
Project
Coordinated by Italy’s MAREA SCARL and led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arzum Işıtan
on behalf of Pamukkale University, the FRAME (Food Resilience through
Architecturally Modeled Environments) project aims to integrate behavioral
sciences into policy, business, and education systems to reduce food waste and
promote sustainable consumption habits.
Within the scope of the project, a Europe-wide think tank will be
established, and in collaboration with national multi-stakeholder centers,
educational materials and online open courses (MOOCs) will be developed. The
project will span 36 months and is supported by the European Commission with a
total budget of 1.5 million euros.
Digital and Green Transformation in Livestock Education with the
VITAL Project
Coordinated by Italy’s Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II and led
by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Koluman on behalf of Pamukkale University, the VITAL
(Vocational Innovation and Training for Animal Livestock) project aims to
develop new-generation vocational education systems for the livestock sector in
Europe. The project will create innovative curricula in areas such as
digitalization, eco-friendly production, and animal welfare, define new
occupational profiles, and establish comprehensive collaborations between
educational institutions and the industry. Spanning 48 months with a budget of
3.8 million euros, the project represents Türkiye with a budget allocation of
130,687 euros for Pamukkale University.
PAU’s Strategic Step in Internationalization
With the simultaneous acceptance of these two projects, Pamukkale University
has achieved a remarkable success not only in Türkiye but also across Europe.
The university’s integrated efforts with policies such as the European Green
Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the European Skills Agenda are considered
concrete indicators of its internationalization vision. Rectorate sources
stated that these projects will significantly contribute to the university’s
scientific productivity, as well as to social impact and sustainable
development goals.