FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
RISE CONGRESS 2026
Call for Papers
RISE-AKADEMİ CONGRESS 2026
“Transformation and Integration in the Turkic World: Economy, Politics, and Technology”
6-8th May 2026, Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan
As the Turkic World navigates the complex dynamics of the 21st century, it is confronted not only with significant economic, political, and technological challenges, but also with unprecedented opportunities for cooperation, integration, and collective development. Rapid technological change, evolving geopolitical balances, and transforming economic structures make it increasingly necessary to adopt interdisciplinary and regionally grounded perspectives in understanding the future of Turkic societies.
Within this context, Girne American University in collaboration with Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, Baku State University and Tourism and Management University (Baku), is pleased to announce the 2nd RISE-AKADEMI Congress 2026, to be held on 6-8 May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, hosted by Baku State University.
The Congress is designed as an international academic platform to examine transformation and integration in the Turkic World through the interconnected lenses of economy, politics, and technology. It aims to explore regional economic integration, governance and political cooperation, technological development, sustainability, cultural identity, and social change within Turkic states, while also addressing global and regional challenges that shape these processes.
Baku, as the host city, represents a natural intellectual, geopolitical, and economic meeting point for the Turkic World. Azerbaijan’s strategic position, its active role in regional cooperation, and its growing influence in economic, political, and technological initiatives make Baku a meaningful venue for advancing dialogue on integration and shared futures. The Congress reflects an inclusive understanding of the Turkic World, encompassing Central Asia, Anatolia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, with Northern Cyprus contributing to this shared academic and cultural space through institutional participation.
By bringing together scholars and researchers from diverse disciplines, the Congress promotes interdisciplinary dialogue across economics, political science, international relations, technology, environmental studies, and cultural research. It underscores the role of technological innovation and digital transformation in advancing economic development, effective governance, sustainability, and regional cooperation grounded in shared cultural identity and language.
In line with these objectives, the Organizing Committee cordially invites researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to submit abstracts in English (300-500 words) addressing current trends, challenges, and prospects related to the main theme and the following thematic areas.
Abstract Submission Deadline: March 15, 2026
(The Microsoft CMT service was used for managing the peer-reviewing process for this conference. This service was provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support.)
THEMATIC AREAS
Economic Integration and Development
• Structural transformation, industrial upgrading, and productivity growth
• Impacts of globalization and global economic trends
• Sustainable development strategies
• Education, workforce development, and technological capacity building
• Labor markets, workforce mobility, and regional employment integration
• Digital economy, e-commerce, and investment trends
International Relations and Regional Cooperation in the Turkic World
• Regional integration and cooperation mechanisms in the Turkic World
• Foreign policy coordination and multilateral diplomacy among Turkic states
• The role of the Turkic World in global and regional governance structures
• Soft power, public diplomacy, and international representation
• Connectivity, strategic partnerships, and cross-regional engagement
International Trade and Tourism Economy
• Trade barriers, economic cooperation, and regional partnerships
• Trade facilitation, market access, and evolving trade policy frameworks
• Tourism economy, destination competitiveness, and value-chain development
• Regional connectivity, transport corridors, and logistics for trade and tourism flows
• Cross-border trade integration, standards harmonization, and business environment
• Cultural tourism and its impact on local economies and cultural exchange
Political Dynamics and Governance
• Governance models, democratic practices, and institutional innovation
• Regional cooperation and multilateral partnerships
• Regional stability and cooperative security approaches
• The role of international organizations and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS)
Technological Advancements and Innovation
• Digital transformation and inclusive access to technology
• Technology-driven economic growth and innovation ecosystems
• Start-ups, innovation hubs, and entrepreneurship
• Cybersecurity, data protection, and geopolitical constraints on technology
• Building AI capacity and regional cooperation in the Turkic World
Cultural Identity and Social Dimensions of Integration
• Cultural identity and its influence on economic and political policies
• Ethnic diversity, national identity, and political stability
• Common language initiatives and cultural integration
• Preservation and promotion of Turkic cultural heritage through technology
Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Development
• Climate change and environmental sustainability
• Renewable energy initiatives and resource management
• Regional cooperation on environmental policies
• Smart cities and sustainable urban development
Social Issues and Economic Development
• Gender equality and women’s empowerment
• Youth engagement, leadership, and digital participation
• Education’s role in integration and technological development
• Migration, diaspora dynamics, and their regional impacts
Papers that do not directly fall under the above categories but are closely related to the main theme of the Congress are also welcome.
Contact Information:
For more information, please contact rise.conferences@gau.edu.tr
Committees
Honor Committee
Dr. Adalat MURADOV (Rector of Azerbaijan State University)
Dr. Birol AKGÜN (Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Azerbaijan)
Dr. Ilham MADATOV (Rector of Baku Tourism and Management University)
Dr. Mehmet Naci BOSTANCI (Rector of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Serdar YURTSEVER (Rector of Girne American University)
Advisory Board
Dr. Ateş BAYAZIT (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Atilla GÖKÇE (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. A. Cihangir İŞBİLİR (Communications Counsellor at the Embassy of Azerbaijan)
Dr. Edibe Asuman ATİLLA (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Edinç YAZICI (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Fatih SARAÇOĞLU (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Fırat PURTAŞ (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Latif ÖZTÜRK (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Müslüme NARİN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Nurettin PARILTI (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Türel Yılmaz ŞAHİN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Scientific Board
Dr. Ali Poyraz GÜRSOY (Girne American University)
Dr. Alparslan A. BAŞARAN (Hacettepe University)
Dr. Ateş BAYAZIT (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Attila Cseh (Valdosta State University)
Dr. Atilla GÖKÇE (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Barış ÖVGÜN (Ankara University)
Dr. Bilal KARABULUT (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Birol ÇETİN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Burak TANGÖR (Hacettepe University)
Dr. Erman AKILLI (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Cemalettin AKTEPE (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Cemil ÇİFTÇİ (Pamukkale University)
Dr. Çınar ÖZEN (Ankara University)
Dr. Çiğdem TUĞAÇ (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Edibe Asuman ATİLLA (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Edinç YAZICI (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Erman AKILLI (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Evren GÜÇER (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Fahriye ÖZTÜRK (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Fatih H. DİKMEN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Fatih SARAÇOĞLU (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Feride Bahar IŞIN (Başkent University)
Dr. Feyza BHATTI (Girne American University)
Dr. Fırat PURTAŞ (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Furkan EMİRMAHMUTOĞLU (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. İsmail ENGİN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Joshua SOPURU (Girne American University)
Dr. Latif ÖZTÜRK (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Marziye MEMMEDLİ (Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University)
Dr. Matina GHASEMI (Girne American University)
Dr. Mehmet BAŞ (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Univerity)
Dr. Metehan TOLON (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University )
Dr. Murat AKKAYA (Girne American University)
Dr. Mustafa BESİM (Eastern Mediterranean University)
Dr. Müslüme NARİN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Nurettin PARILTI (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Okechukwu Lawrence EMEAGWALI (Girne American University)
Dr. Oktay TANRISEVER (Middle East Technical University)
Dr. Ömercan ÇEVİK (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Özgehan ŞENYUVA (Middle East Technical University)
Dr. Saeed SHOBEIRI (TELOQ University)
Dr. Seçil Mine TÜRK (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Seher Nur SÜLKÜ (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Serkan ERTAM (Hacettepe University)
Dr. Şaban ÖZTÜRK (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Tarık ŞENGÜL (Middle East Technical University)
Dr. Türel Yılmaz ŞAHİN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Yasemin KESKİN BENLİ (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Yeliz YALÇIN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Yenal SÜREÇ (Eastern Mediterranean University)
Dr. Zulal DENAUX (Valdosta State University)
Organizing Committee
Dr. Aziz YILDIZ (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Burcu NAZLIOĞLU (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. A. Cihangir İŞBİLİR (Communications Counsellor at the Embassy of Azerbaijan)
Derya SAYİR (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Fatih H. DİKMEN (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Feyza BHATTI (Girne American University)
Dr. Kübra COŞAR (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Marziye MEMMEDLİ (Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University)
Mehmet Salih KARA (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Nadide Gizem GÜRSON DOLAR (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
Dr. Şaban ÖZTÜRK (Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University)
*The names are in alphabetical order.
RISE CONGRESS
RESOLVE: Address the root causes of global challenges.
INNOVATE: Foster creative and sustainable solutions.
SUSTAIN: Promote long-term environmental and social well-being.
EMPOWER: Empower individuals and communities to drive change.
