RESEARCH R&D Activities In accordance with its founding vision, ITU-TRNC places significant emphasis on R&D activities among the education, research and practical components, which are its fundamental mission. Accordingly, infrastructure suitable for research activities is being developed, and, on the other hand, support mechanisms are utilized through the advanced infrastructure of ITU to foster R&D and university-industry collaboration. ITU was granted the title of Research University by the Higher Education Council in September 2017.