Sakarya University promotes inclusive, transparent, and participatory governance, ensuring that key stakeholder groups are represented within decision-making structures. The University Senate serves as the institution’s highest academic governing body, and during the 2025 calendar year, academic staff representatives serving in the Senate were elected by the Faculty Boards of each faculty. This structure ensures democratic participation, accountability, and shared governance among academic personnel in core institutional decision-making processes.
“Extended Senate meeting of Sakarya University, chaired by the Rector, where the University’s 2025 goals were discussed (December 2024).”
Student representation is secured through the democratically elected Student Council, in line with the Regulation on Student Councils and Student Representation in Higher Education in Türkiye. The elected President of the Sakarya University Student Council is authorized to participate in institutional governance processes, ensuring that the perspectives of both undergraduate and graduate students are formally communicated to university leadership through recognized consultation and representation channels. Sakarya University also operates an expanded participatory platform through the Student Senate, established by the University Senate Decision No. 459 dated 14 January 2016. Governed by its official directive, the Student Senate consists of 44 elected representatives from faculties, institutes, student clubs, international students, students with disabilities, and exchange program participants. The Student Senate held its 15th meeting, covering the 2024–2025 academic year, on 25 December 2024 with the participation of the Rector, two Vice-Rectors and the Dean of Students. Student senators raised 46 requests and proposals on education and quality, technical infrastructure, campus and city life, and accessibility for students with disabilities, which were recorded in the official meeting report.
In May 2025, the Rector, Vice-Rectors, the Secretary General, the Dean of Students and the deans of the relevant units held Senior Management–Student Meetings covering four academic areas: engineering and natural sciences, health sciences, social sciences and educational sciences. Student views on education and assessment, facilities, internships, internationalization, communication, campus life and accessibility were recorded, analyzed thematically and evaluated within the University’s quality assurance system.
Students sharing their views and requests with university management at the Senior Management–Student Meetings(May.2025).
Non-academic personnel representation is supported through the election of Workplace Employee Representatives, who take part in institutional committees responsible for occupational health and safety, work environment, and administrative development. While these representatives do not hold permanent seats on the Senate itself, their participatory role in institutional councils and decision-making committees ensures that staff viewpoints are included in governance, planning, and improvement efforts, contributing to an inclusive governance framework.
Overall, Sakarya University maintains mechanisms of shared decision-making that enable elected representation from academic staff, students, and administrative personnel, demonstrating its commitment to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, particularly regarding inclusive governance, stakeholder participation, and equitable representation in university leadership structures.
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