Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) has added another milestone to its international achievements in the field of health sciences. The BEUN Obesity and Diabetes Application and Research Center has been accepted into the “Early Career Exchange Program” run by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO). Selected as one of only two centers from Turkey, BEUN has successfully joined the ranks of 30 distinguished centers across Europe — a remarkable accomplishment.
The inclusion of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University in this program once again highlights the University's international potential in the field of health sciences. Furthermore, this achievement will open new doors for young researchers to access training, experience, and collaboration opportunities in Europe in the fields of obesity and metabolic diseases.
Speaking about the success of the University’s Obesity and Diabetes Application and Research Center, Center Director Prof. Dr. Taner Bayraktaroğlu emphasized that this important development is a great source of pride for both the University and Turkey. Highlighting the significance of international recognition, Prof. Dr. Bayraktaroğlu stated:
“It is a great achievement for our Obesity and Diabetes Application and Research Center to be selected as one of 30 centers across Europe within the framework of the ‘Early Career Exchange Program’ conducted by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), and to be one of only two centers accepted from Turkey. This success clearly demonstrates our center’s scientific competence, structural strength, and institutional vision at an international level. With these achievements, the international visibility of both our University and our Center continues to grow steadily.
I would like to express my gratitude to our esteemed Rector, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, for his unwavering support in all aspects of the Center’s development and success. I also thank Prof. Dr. Volkan Yumuk, President of the Turkish Association for the Study of Obesity, for his continuous support in our work, and extend my sincere appreciation to EASO for their assistance throughout every stage of the program. Lastly, I thank all our academic and administrative staff who contributed to this achievement, as well as all stakeholders who have strengthened our multidisciplinary approach.”
Rector Özölçer: “This Achievement Reflects Our University’s Scientific Vision”
Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN), Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, emphasized that this accomplishment is a strong reflection of the University’s scientific vision and institutional infrastructure. Commenting on the international success of the Obesity and Diabetes Application and Research Center, he stated:
“At Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we have always supported scientific production and international collaborations. One of our core objectives as a university is to ensure that our scientific productivity is not only nationally visible but also recognized and effective on an international level.
A clear example of this vision is the acceptance of our Obesity and Diabetes Application and Research Center into the highly prestigious program organized by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO). This development once again demonstrates the strength of our University’s scientific infrastructure and the fact that our research centers are conducting work at a global standard.
I firmly believe that this acceptance will greatly contribute not only to the careers of our young academics by enabling them to gain knowledge and experience across Europe but also to the research potential of our University.
Furthermore, this success highlights Turkey’s strong position in conducting high-quality research on globally critical health issues such as obesity and metabolic diseases.
With this in mind, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, and all relevant departments of the Ministry of Health for their continued support of our country’s major health research initiatives and international achievements. I also express my gratitude to the European Association for the Study of Obesity for their valuable work throughout this program, and to Prof. Dr. Volkan Yumuk, President of the Turkish Association for the Study of Obesity, for his unwavering support.
In addition, I would like to wholeheartedly thank our Center Director, Prof. Dr. Taner Bayraktaroğlu, whose leadership has been instrumental in the development and national and international prominence of the Center, as well as our dedicated academic and administrative teams. I wish them continued success.
We will continue to achieve significant international accomplishments in the field of health sciences.”
For more information on the program, please visit: https://easo.org/easo-ecn-exchange-programme-2025-applications-now-open/