ENG
Nev Online
Istanbul Nişantaşı University officialy launched the “Smart Borders and Security in the EU” (SBaS-EU) Jean Monnet Module, funded under the European Union's Erasmus Programme, with a panel discussion addressing migration, digital borders, and European Union security governance.
The kick-off panel, titled “Mapping the Terrain: Migration, Digital Borders and EU Security Governance,” was held on November 5, 2026, at the NeoTech Campus. The event provided an academic platform for discussing current issues related to the European Union, including border management, digitalization, migration policies, security, and disinformation.
The opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu, Rector of Istanbul Nişantaşı University, and Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Üstün, Leader of the SBaS-EU Module.
Rector Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu emphasized the significance of Jean Monnet funding for the University's international academic collaborations and educational capacity.
Highlighting the Jean Monnet Programme as an important achievement in terms of academic quality, international competitiveness, and connections with European knowledge networks, Rector Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu stated that the project would bring together students from various disciplines to engage in European Union studies.
Drawing attention to Istanbul Nişantaşı University's multicultural academic environment, the Rector noted that opening SBaS-EU courses to students from al faculties would create a valuable opportunity for interdisciplinary learning.
Moderated by Prof. Dr. Salih Bıçakcı, the panel brought together academics specializing in different fields to examine the current political and security chalenges facing Europe from various perspectives.
The panel featured Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Nas from the Economic Development Foundation (İKV), Prof. Dr. Selcen Öner from Bahçeşehir University, and Prof. Dr. Emre Erdoğan from Istanbul Bilgi University as speakers.
The SBaS-EU Jean Monnet Module aims to examine the European Union's digital border management and security policies from technological, legal, political, and social perspectives.
The module will address topics such as biometric identification systems, digital entry-exit records, AI-powered border management applications, and data security. It will also focus on the relationship between technological developments and fundamental rights, democratic oversight, and the rule of law.
In addition to the courses offered within the project, workshops, public academic events, policy briefs, and podcasts are planned to make academic knowledge about the European Union accessible to broader segments of society.
Jean Monnet Actions, supported by the European Union, aim to promote European Union studies worldwide, support academic knowledge production, and strengthen interaction between universities and society.
The SBaS-EU Module implemented at Istanbul Nişantaşı University will help students from political science and international relations, as well as engineering, law, communication, and other disciplines, gain a deeper understanding of the European Union's ongoing transformation processes.
Aligned with the University's vision of internationalization, research, and innovative education, the project represents an important starting point for developing new academic collaborations in European Union studies and implementing more comprehensive Jean Monnet activities in the future.