What is the Third Five-Year Action Plan?
Istinye University’s Third Five-Year Action Plan (2025–2030) serves as a comprehensive roadmap designed to achieve the University’s 2030 Vision. The plan was developed to ensure the systematic management of institutional development and transformation. Preparatory work commenced during the 2024–2025 academic year. Throughout the process, a series of search conferences and consultation meetings were organized with the participation of students, academic staff, and administrative personnel, enabling the collection of expectations, recommendations, and strategic insights from a wide range of stakeholders. The Action Plan was formally introduced to all stakeholders during the Vision Meeting held in January 2025, where the University’s strategic priorities and long-term objectives were communicated within a shared institutional framework.
The Plan is structured around five core strategic categories: Education and Learning, Research & Innovation, Internationalization, Social Impact, and Institutional Transformation. Across these focus areas, the guiding principles of quality, sustainability, agility, and data-driven governance have been adopted. All stages of the process—from strategic planning and implementation to evaluation and continuous improvement—are managed through project and performance management methodologies, with the institutionalization of a culture of continuous development identified as a key priority.
To support the implementation of the Action Plan, 10 priority projects, 33 sub-projects, and 73 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were defined in 2025. These projects encompass Undergraduate and Graduate Education, Alumni, Satisfaction, Research & Innovation, Internationalization, Community Integration, Governance & Leadership, Brand Value, and Collaboration with MLP. Through this framework, a holistic institutional development model has been established, covering areas ranging from education and research to international partnerships and institutional governance.
Building upon Istinye University’s inclusion in the Council of Higher Education’s (YÖK) candidate list for Research Universities in 2025, as well as analyses of national and international rankings and performance reports, the Action Plan was further enhanced in 2026. The expansion of project scopes and KPI structures was carried out through relevant committees with active stakeholder participation. As a result, the number of monitored projects increased to 12, while the number of KPIs rose to 140. The Undergraduate and Graduate Education projects were consolidated into a single “Student” project. In addition, Program Quality & Accreditation, Digitalization, and Sustainability were incorporated as new strategic projects within the Action Plan.
The objectives and performance framework of the Action Plan have been designed and monitored in alignment with:
- YÖK Research University Performance Indicators, the 2030 Roadmap for Turkish Higher Education, and the YÖK Monitoring and Evaluation Report Indicators;
- URAP (University Ranking by Academic Performance) Indicators;
- TÜBİTAK Entrepreneurial and Innovative University Index;
- Times Higher Education (THE) and QS Ranking Indicators.
Furthermore, all performance indicators within the Action Plan have been mapped against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through these performance indicators, the University systematically monitors a broad range of outcomes, including student achievement and graduate employability in education; publications, research projects, and patents in research; mobility and international engagement in internationalization; social responsibility initiatives in social impact; and digital transformation, quality assurance, and organizational effectiveness in institutional development.
The Third Five-Year Action Plan functions not only as a strategic guide for achieving the University’s 2030 Vision but also as a collective commitment that reflects the dedication of all stakeholders to shared institutional development goals.
By emphasizing quality-oriented process management, digital transformation, internationalization, and innovation, the Plan provides a framework that closely aligns with the strategic priorities of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). In doing so, it ensures that Istinye University’s institutional objectives advance in harmony with Türkiye’s broader higher education vision.
The analyses, stakeholder engagement processes, performance indicators, and strategic prioritization efforts carried out within the framework of the Third Five-Year Action Plan served as a foundation for the development of the University’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. Accordingly, the Strategic Plan was shaped in line with the institutional needs, development areas, and shared vision identified throughout the Action Plan process, thereby establishing an integrated and sustainable management framework that aligns institutional objectives with implementation processes.
Core Principles of the Third Five-Year Action Plan
The Third Five-Year Action Plan is not merely a collection of projects; it also represents a comprehensive framework of guiding principles that shape Istinye University’s strategic transformation journey. These principles, which support the vision of the plan and guide its implementation processes, play a pivotal role in leading the University toward achieving its 2030 goals.
Inclusiveness and Stakeholder Engagement
The Third Five-Year Action Plan was shaped in line with the shared perspectives emerging from the search conferences held at Istinye University and the institution’s strategic priorities. With the active contributions of students, academic staff, and administrative personnel, the plan was designed as the outcome of a broad and participatory process.
During this process, the expectations and suggestions of different stakeholder groups were taken into account, ensuring that the action plan responds both to institutional priorities and to the needs of all components of the University.
The inclusive nature of the plan reinforces a sense of shared responsibility in implementing strategic objectives and supports the adoption of the 2030 Vision by all stakeholders.
Istinye University’s 2030 Goals
