The “2025 Barrier-Free University Flags and Program Badges Award Ceremony,” organized by the Presidency of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE), was held on Thursday, December 25, at the CoHE Presidency. During the ceremony, awards were presented to universities that stood out in the fields of accessibility and inclusivity by the President of CoHE, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar.

Out of 27 applications made by Marmara University, 21 resulted in awards. Marmara University entered the top three universities by ranking third in the Barrier-Free University Program Badge category with 19 badges. Additionally, the university was deemed worthy of two awards in the category of 2025 Award Nominee Universities for Socio-Cultural Activities (Blue Flag).

Emphasis on Barrier-Free University from CoHE President Özvar

Speaking at the ceremony, CoHE President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar emphasized that the Barrier-Free University Program Badge is a significant practice that directly focuses on educational programs and is based on accessibility arrangements for specific disability groups. Özvar stated that within the scope of the 2024-2025 academic year, 1,768 applications from 112 universities were evaluated; he noted that 124 applications were entitled to receive the Barrier-Free University Flag, while 138 applications were entitled to receive the Barrier-Free University Program Badge. He pointed out that university campuses being accessible in every aspect for students with disabilities is one of the fundamental elements of equal opportunity in higher education and education worthy of human dignity.

Following the speeches, awards were presented to the participating universities. The achievement certificates granted to Marmara University were presented to the Coordinator of the Disabled Student Unit, Lecturer Zuhal Pek, by the President of CoHE, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar.