IIM Kozhikode Terminates MoU with Turkey’s Sabancı University
The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K) has formally terminated its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turkey’s Sabancı University. The decision, effective immediately, was taken in what the institution described as an act of aligning its global academic engagements with India’s national interest. The development reflects a growing sentiment within India’s academic community to scrutinize and, if necessary, sever international partnerships that are seen to conflict with the country’s geopolitical and strategic priorities.
Background of the MoU with Sabancı University
The MoU was signed in September 2023 as a five-year agreement to promote academic collaboration between the two institutions. It included provisions for student exchange programs, joint research projects, faculty mobility, and joint publications. The agreement was seen as a step toward strengthening academic diplomacy between India and Turkey, with both institutions aiming to deepen educational ties through mutual cooperation.
However, recent geopolitical tensions, especially Turkey’s perceived alignment with Pakistan on key diplomatic issues, have led to a reassessment of such partnerships by several Indian institutions.
National Interest Drives MoU Termination
The decision to terminate the MoU was announced on May 20, 2025, following internal deliberations and consideration of the broader national context. In a statement, IIM-K Director Prof. Debashis Chatterjee said:
“At IIM Kozhikode, we place utmost importance on aligning our global engagements with the national interest. The decision to annul the MoU with Sabancı University has been taken after careful consideration and is in keeping with our values and responsibilities as a premier institution of national importance.”
The statement emphasized that international partnerships must reflect not only academic alignment but also strategic compatibility with India’s evolving global position.
Formal Communication and Administrative Action
Following the decision, IIM-K has formally communicated with Sabancı University requesting immediate removal of IIM-K’s name from all promotional and institutional platforms associated with the MoU. All ongoing academic activities and initiatives under the agreement have been suspended and will not be renewed.
This action mirrors similar steps taken recently by other Indian educational institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Lovely Professional University, and IIT Roorkee, which have also ended academic partnerships with Turkish counterparts.
Broader Implications for India’s Academic Diplomacy
The move by IIM Kozhikode underscores a broader realignment of India’s academic diplomacy, where national interest and foreign policy considerations are increasingly influencing institutional collaborations. Academic independence remains crucial, but it is now being guided by a framework that values strategic coherence.
Institutes are also becoming more cautious about their international associations, ensuring that collaborations do not indirectly lend legitimacy to countries or institutions seen as misaligned with India’s core interests.
IIM-K has reiterated its commitment to expanding global partnerships with institutions that share India’s democratic values, respect national sovereignty, and contribute to long-term, mutually beneficial academic outcomes.
