ITU Lifelong Learning Access Policies

At Istanbul Technical University (ITU), we are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive and equitable environment that supports lifelong learning for all. Our institutional policies and practices reflect a long-standing commitment to ensuring that individuals from every background, ability, and status have equal opportunities to participate in educational and professional development activities. These policies establish clear principles for fairness, accessibility, and respect across all learning settings—whether in degree programs, continuing education, or community outreach. Through regular review and implementation of equality measures, ITU continually works to identify and remove barriers to participation, creating a learning environment that is open, supportive, and accessible to everyone.

Ethics in University Life (2023)

(https://odek.itu.edu.tr/en/code-of-honor/ethics-in-university-life)

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) upholds a community culture based on mutual respect, equality, and inclusion. The Code of Honor: Ethics in University Life,V2, endorsed by the ITU Senate in 2023, defines the ethical standards expected from every member of the university. It clearly states that participation in all educational and social activities must be free from discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, or immigration status. The Code emphasizes fairness, academic integrity, and respectful dialogue in classrooms, laboratories, and community learning environments. By embedding these principles in both formal and informal education, the document ensures that every learner can benefit from ITU’s training and lifelong learning opportunities on an equal basis. The Code functions not only as a moral guide but also as a safeguard for inclusive access, reflecting ITU’s long-standing commitment to SDG 4 – Quality Education.

Here is the excerpt from the "Ethics in University Life" document, highlighting our commitment to accessibility without discrimination based on factors such as ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status, or gender.

All university stakeholders (academic, administrative, technical and service personnel, and students) receive equal, fair, and dignified treatment without discrimination based on race, colour, gender, ethnic origin, religion, sect, marital status, political views or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, disability, immigration status, or any other factors.

Directive on Equal Opportunity in Education for Students with Special Needs

(https://sustainability.itu.edu.tr/docs/librariesprovider76/policies/directive-on-equal-opportunity-%C4%B1n-education.pdf)

At our university, we're dedicated to making education accessible to disadvantaged, vulnerable, and underrepresented groups. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity drives us to implement tailored, accessible practices across campuses. We actively monitor access, gather feedback, and make improvements.

Our directive establishes special arrangements for course adaptation, exams, exemptions, student support, and architectural accessibility. These measures ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, can fully participate in their educational journey.

Here are some parts about how we are ensuring equal opportunities for each student regardless their disability:

“ARTICLE 11 - (1) All academic and administrative staff working at the University should adopt an approach that will exhibit positive attitude and behavior towards students with special needs, within the framework of respect for individual differences.

(2) It is ensured that the University’s academic and administrative staff participates in activities to be prepared by the Coordination Unit for Students with Disabilities to increase the level of positive attitude, awareness and consciousness.

(3) It is ensured that the University’s academic staff participates in the studies on preparing accessible materials and consultancy for the exam and course practices to be organized by the Coordination Unit for Students with Disabilities.”

Gender Equality Plan (2021-2026)

(https://sustainability.itu.edu.tr/docs/librariesprovider76/default-document-library/gender-equality-plan.pdf)

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is firmly dedicated to promoting gender equality within the fields of science, engineering, and technology. As part of our commitment, we are in the process of establishing a Gender Equality Unit within the Women's Studies Center in Science, Engineering, and Technology (WSC in SET). This unit will serve as a vital mechanism for monitoring, evaluating, and benchmarking the objectives outlined in our Gender Equality Plan (GEP).

Prepared under the coordination of ITU’s (WSC in SET), the Gender Equality Plan (2021-2026) translates the university’s vision of equality into concrete actions across education, research, and lifelong learning. The plan promotes balanced representation in academic and leadership positions, provides training on inclusive pedagogy, and supports mentoring and career-development programs for women and underrepresented groups. It also introduces initiatives to improve work-life balance and accessibility for all learners. The plan is a living document, reviewed annually to measure progress and update objectives. By aligning institutional practice with the principles of fairness and participation, ITU ensures that every student and staff member—regardless of gender or background—can access and contribute to the university’s learning environment.

One of the primary focuses of our Gender Equality Plan is to ensure equal access to education/activities for all individuals, irrespective of their gender. Here you some parts from (GEP) showing our dedication:

“Article 10 of the Turkish Constitution guarantees equality before the law: “Everyone is equal before the law without distinction as to language, race, colour, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion, and sect, or any such grounds. (Paragraph added on May 7, 2004; Act No. 5170) Men and women have equal rights. The State has the obligation to ensure that this equality exists in practice. (Sentence added on September 12, 2010; Act No. 5982) Measures taken for this purpose shall not be interpreted as contrary to the principle of equality. (Paragraph added on September 12, 2010; Act No. 5982) Measures to be taken for children, the elderly, disabled people, widows, and orphans of martyrs as well as for the invalid and veterans shall not be considered as a violation of the principle of equality. No privilege shall be granted to any individual, family, group, or class. State organs and administrative authorities are obliged to act in compliance with the principle of equality before the law in all their proceedings.”

Again, in the Turkish Human Rights and Equality Institution Law No. 6701, there are also regulations regarding the prohibition of discrimination.”

“ITU pays attention to the dissemination of social justice and the importance of the principles of equality in all activities/ education programs organized by our university.”

Prevention Directive and Implementation Principles for Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

(https://kaum.itu.edu.tr/cts-arsiv/itu-ct-yonergesi)

Istanbul Technical University has a directive to provide support and seek solutions regarding sexual harassment and discrimination for academic, administrative, and contracted personnel, as well as students, who work full-time or part-time at Istanbul Technical University and its affiliated units.

In the following sections of this directive, you can observe ITU's stance against discrimination:

“ARTICLE 4 -  Definitions:

Discrimination: Discrimination can occur in direct or indirect forms.

a. Direct Discrimination: It involves giving less favorable treatment to a person based on their affiliation with a particular group, compared to another person in a similar situation. For example, actions where a member of the female gender group receives less favorable treatment compared to a member of the male gender group.

b. Indirect Discrimination: It refers to situations where a seemingly neutral provision, criterion, or practice may put individuals from one group at a disadvantage when compared to individuals from another group, unless it can be objectively justified for a legitimate purpose and the means to achieve that purpose are appropriate and necessary.

ARTICLE 6 - Appropriate Authorities for Submitting Applications

Individuals who believe they have been subjected to sexual harassment and discrimination or who have witnessed such incidents, may submit their applications in person or in writing/email to the following authorities:

a) Center for Women's Studies and Research in Science, Engineering, and Technology,

b) Prevention Committee for Sexual Harassment and Discrimination.

In case applications are made to units other than those mentioned above, these units shall forward the applications they receive to the Committee.

ARTICLE 7 - Principles Regarding the Evaluation Process

a) The Committee is obliged to keep the incident, the applicant, and the complained individuals confidential throughout the entire process from the preliminary examination stage until the investigation is completed. Managers who become aware of the incident shall also adhere to the same principle. In case of a violation of this principle, the Ethics Committee shall warn the relevant individuals.

b) All applications are evaluated promptly and actively. No application can be left without a result.

c) Notifications shall be made to the competent authorities in order to take administrative measures against possible retaliatory actions against the individuals who filed a complaint.

Disciplinary Offenses and Penalties

In the event of a discriminatory act, the authorities empowered to conduct disciplinary investigations shall determine the appropriate disciplinary penalty in accordance with the severity, nature, and specific circumstances of the act.”

 SUMMARY

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) demonstrates a comprehensive and institution-wide commitment to ensuring that lifelong learning is open, equitable, and accessible to all. Through recently reviewed and publicly available policies—such as the Ethics in University Life Policy (2023), Directive on Equal Opportunity in Education for Students with Special Needs, Gender Equality Plan (2021–2026), and the Prevention Directive and Implementation Principles for Sexual Harassment and Discrimination —the university guarantees that no learner faces discrimination based on gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status. Each policy establishes clear responsibilities for academic and administrative units to maintain fair participation, eliminate barriers, and foster a respectful learning culture across every level of education and professional development. These coordinated frameworks ensure that lifelong learning at ITU is guided by transparency, fairness, and accountability. Together, they reflect ITU’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4.3.5, demonstrating how the university’s governance, ethical standards, and equality mechanisms actively uphold inclusive access to quality education for all individuals.