Leveraging Istanbul Medeniyet University's Potential for Strategic African Partnerships: Opportunities and Challenges in Higher Education Internationalization

Türkiye's "African Opening" policy aims to enhance the country's role in global higher education, with a specific focus on sub-Saharan Africa. To support this objective, Türkiye has developed a series of policies and strategic goals, and the Council of Higher Education has outlined a strategic plan for internationalization. However, the extent to which Turkish higher education institutions (HEIs) are prepared to implement these policies and achieve the desired outcomes remains unclear. This study examines Istanbul Medeniyet University’s (IMU) potential for establishing sustainable partnerships with African universities, emphasizing the strategic, organizational, and academic capacities necessary for effective internationalization. The research employs a qualitative approach, including document analysis, to assess IMU’s readiness and alignment with Türkiye’s internationalization goals. Findings reveal that although IMU has made significant strides in developing strategic frameworks for international collaboration, Africa does not yet hold a prominent, prioritized position in its internationalization strategy. However, the university possesses considerable academic, strategic, and organizational potential to strengthen its engagement with African institutions. The study concludes with recommendations for IMU and similar institutions to overcome existing barriers and further enhance their internationalization strategies, thereby contributing to ’s broader goals of fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with African universities and increasing its global higher education footprint.