On February 13, 2025, the INNOTISSUE consortium convened at Yildiz Technical University for a full-day coordination meeting aimed at shaping the academic and operational foundations of the programme. The meeting brought together representatives from all partner institutions to collaboratively review and refine key components of INNOTISSUE’s structure before the official launch.
The agenda covered strategic aspects of governance, academic planning, student admissions, and internships. Discussions began with the definition of the Steering Committee’s role and subcommittees. It was agreed that thematic subcommittees will be formed to address essential areas such as academic quality, mobility, student support, and industry collaboration. In addition, early proposals for the programme’s official logo were presented and discussed.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on finalizing the structure of the student admission process. Admission criteria—including eligible bachelor’s degrees, GPA thresholds, required documentation, and English language proficiency—were clearly defined. The evaluation process was streamlined to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment across all participating institutions.
Curriculum design and mobility planning were also key highlights of the meeting. Partners agreed on the structure of the academic programme, including mandatory and elective course modules, the integration of online components, and the implementation of double degree opportunities. Additionally, assessment and evaluation methods were reviewed, and the establishment of thesis advisory committees was discussed. The integration of seasonal schools (winter and summer) was proposed as a way to enrich the academic journey and enhance international exposure.
The internship framework was comprehensively outlined, with consensus reached on the structure of the Internship Committee, eligibility criteria for host organizations, expected duration, and the administrative requirements related to insurance, documentation, and reporting. Evaluation procedures were established to ensure consistency and quality across internship placements.
The meeting concluded with a summary of key decisions and next steps for implementation. Follow-up actions were assigned to each partner institution, and preliminary discussions were held regarding an upcoming site visit to Spain.
Overall, the meeting marked a critical milestone in the development of the INNOTISSUE programme, solidifying core elements of its governance and academic structure. The collaborative spirit and shared commitment of all partners reflect the programme’s ambition to offer a world-class, interdisciplinary education in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
