Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is enhancing its global academic and scientific partnerships, particularly through a strengthened collaboration with MARIN, a research institute in the Netherlands. This partnership, which has been developing over the past two years, is formalized by a five-year protocol agreement signed in November 2023.

Under this agreement, MARIN will offer scholarships to students enrolled in ITU's graduate programs, specifically in Shipbuilding and Ocean Engineering, Offshore Engineering, and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Each graduate student will have co-advisors from both institutions, and their thesis topics will be collaboratively decided. While the formal graduation defense will occur at ITU, master's students must also present their theses at MARIN in the Netherlands, with MARIN covering travel and accommodation costs.
For doctoral candidates, the program allows for a two-phase structure where the first two years are spent in Turkey and the subsequent two years in the Netherlands. During their time in Turkey, doctoral students will receive approximately 500 Euros in scholarships from MARIN, and for their stay in the Netherlands, they will receive around 1500 Euros. This initiative aims to foster cross-institutional research and academic growth, benefiting students from both institutions.