Ondokuz Mayıs University recognises internationalisation as a major mean to improve the quality of education and research through the created interactions and cooperation leading to innovation. In that sense, the integration of the university to the European Education and Research areas, and involvement in cooperative activities with European Education Institutions are considered crucial.

Moreover, the university recognises the demand of its students for preparing them for an international career and sees it important to give students the opportunities to become familiar with other European cultures and educational systems through mobility. The mobility of students is also recognised as a means for improving the quality of education.

With these strategic motivations defined, the Office of International Relations was established in Spring 2001 with the mission of coordinating the activities related to the internationalisation of the university and improving the participation of the university in cooperation activities and raising the reputation of the university in the international area.