The International Baccalaureate (IB) is delighted to have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Istanbul Educational and Cultural Foundation (İSTEK) and Yeditepe University, which will see an increase in IB programmes across İSTEK schools, collaboration in research and professional development, and plans to expand the International Baccalaureate Educator Certificate (IBEC) in Istanbul and beyond.
The partnership was formalised last week, when a delegation from the IB – including Director General Olli-Pekka Heinonen and Global Director of Business Development Haif Banayan – attended a signing ceremony at the IB Global Conference in The Hague, The Netherlands.
Heinonen spoke at the ceremony alongside Deniz Eralp, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board and Founding Representative at İSTEK Schools, and Prof. Dr Mehmet Durman, Rector of Yeditepe University, with all three sharing their pride and excitement for what lies ahead. The move marks a significant step forward for the IB in Türkiye, aligning closely with Yeditepe’s goal of raising young people who are forward-thinking, inquisitive, culturally curious and open-minded, and equipped for the world of business.
As part of the partnership, İSTEK will introduce at least 26 new IB programmes over the next three years across its network of schools.
The partnership will also see Yeditepe explore ways to expand its IBEC offering. Founded in 1996 in Istanbul, the university currently offers IBEC courses for the Diploma Programme (DP) and Primary Years Programme (PYP) and will now look to incorporate the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Career-related Programme (CP).
The agreement also stipulates that both parties will explore areas of collaboration in research, professional development, and the possibility of Yeditepe becoming a career-related study (CRS) strategic provider.
The IB has been operating in Türkiye since 1994, with 125 schools in the country at the time of signing. IB programmes develop students into critical thinkers, courageous risk-takers, and empathetic human beings, preparing them for successful transitions into higher education, career pathways, and service to their communities.
Olli-Pekka Heinonen, IB Director General: “Our partnership with Yeditepe University and İSTEK Schools will shape the future of education not only in Türkiye but across the wider region. This collaboration will expand access to world-class learning opportunities while strengthening sustainable pathways for teacher development.”
Deniz Eralp, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board and Founding Representative, İSTEK Schools: “For more than for decades, İSTEK Schools have been at the forefront of innovative, student-centered education. This partnership with the International Baccalaureate and Yeditepe University takes our vision a step further, enabling our students and teachers to become active members of a globally connected learning community.”
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Durman, Rector of Yeditepe University: “Education today transcends national borders – it is a shared global journey. With this agreement, for the first time in Türkiye, a university, a school network, and the International Baccalaureate are coming together under one framework. This collaboration opens new horizons for our teachers and students while expanding Türkiye’s impact on international education.”
 is delighted to have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Istanbul Educational and Cultural Foundation (İSTEK) and Yeditepe University, which will see an increase in IB programmes across İSTEK schools, collaboration in research and professional development, and plans to expand the International Baccalaureate Educator Certificate (IBEC) in Istanbul and beyond. ){kind=icon}