A Mevlana Exchange Protocol was signed between Bursa Technical University (BTU) and Southern University and A&M College in the United States. The signing ceremony took place at the Rectorate building on the Yıldırım Campus of BTU, attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Arif Karademir, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Çopur, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Architecture, and Engineering Dean Prof. Dr. Osman Kopmaz, Faculty of Forestry Dean Prof. Dr. Ramazan Kurt, Deputy Secretary General Prof. Sami İmamoğlu, International Relations Office Coordinator Prof. Dr. Abdullah Emin Akay, Southern University and A&M College Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Barbara W. Carpenter, University and Tourism Office Official Regina Porter, and faculty member Assoc. Dr. Osman Kandara.

In his speech at the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Arif Karademir stated, "We want our dear students to gain international experience, even if it's just for a short period during their university years. Similarly, we encourage our academics to participate in such exchange programs. We are also very happy to host students and scientists from all over the world at our university. Our students and academics will gain a lot from these types of programs." He further added, "Programs like Farabi, Erasmus, and Mevlana are important tools in achieving internationalization and reaching universal higher education."

Prof. Dr. Karademir also announced that starting from the upcoming semester, BTU will begin accepting students under the joint degree program signed with Southern University and A&M College. Students enrolling in the 100% English-taught Mechanical Engineering program within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Architecture, and Engineering will spend the first three years in Turkey, including a preparatory year, and the remaining two years in the United States at Southern University. Upon graduation, students will receive diplomas from both universities. Prof. Dr. Karademir emphasized that similar programs will be introduced with new departments and other universities, stating, "Our goal is to graduate students as global citizens and engineers of international standards."

Southern University and A&M College Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Barbara W. Carpenter shared that they became acquainted with Turkey and grew fond of it through Assoc. Dr. Osman Kandara, who is greatly loved at their university. She expressed her gratitude to Dr. Kandara, saying, "We are primarily expecting students and academics from BTU in every discipline and department of our university. They will find only warm friends and a peaceful educational and working environment at our university." Prof. Carpenter also thanked Rector Karademir and his team, stating, "We look forward to welcoming the BTU team to our university as soon as possible."