Under the umbrella of the Erasmus+ KA171 Staff Training Mobility, our Faculty of Architecture and Design opened its doors to Mrs. Bojana Sternisa Stanisic, Coordinator of the Department of Architecture at the University of Donja Gorica, Montenegro. But this wasn’t just a formal visit it was an immersive exploration into creative spaces, academic culture, and future potential.

Accompanied by Dr. Mesut Dural, Mrs. Sternisa was introduced to the inner workings of our  design studios, where architecture comes alive through hands-on learning. She continued her journey to KURAM our Research Center for the Conservation of Cultural Property where Specialist Mesut Iş showcased restoration laboratories and heritage-focused workshops that connect past with future. But the experience didn’t stop at labs and studios. From the model-making studio to tile workshops and calligraphy rooms, she explored the tangible texture of student life spaces where design thinking is shaped by both tradition and experimentation. In conversation with student clubs, the exchange of ideas flowed naturally, bridging cultural and institutional contexts.

Her visit culminated in forward-looking discussions with Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Numan, Dean of the Faculty, and Prof. Dr. Tolga Akbulut, Head of the Architecture Department, envisioning a shared path of collaborative studios, mobility opportunities, and cross-border architectural research. This KA171 experience reaffirms what such programs do best: empower institutions to grow not just outward, but together through real engagement, meaningful dialogue, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of education.