As part of the final day of Science Week 2025, the International Engineering and Technology University (METU) hosted a roundtable discussion titled "The Role of Student Self-Governance in the Development of Science", fully organized and led by the university’s student body.

A distinctive feature of the event was that, for the first time, the student rector served as moderator, reflecting METU’s strong commitment to expanding the role of student leadership in academic and scientific life. The initiative was held in the context of the Year of Student Self-Governance.

The roundtable focused on key topics, including the importance of engaging students in scientific activities from the early stages of their education, the development of mentorship practices and academic support systems, and the contribution of student initiatives to the university’s research environment.

The discussion brought together undergraduate, master`s, and doctoral students, alongside faculty. Participants exchanged ideas and put forward proposals to enhance institutional mechanisms for supporting student research projects and to strengthen intergenerational academic dialogue.

This roundtable served as a vivid example of youth engagement in shaping the university’s academic agenda. It demonstrated the growing capacity of student self-governance as a strategic partner in advancing university-based science.