Izmir University of Economics (IUE) has become the first Turkish university to participate in the PASCAL Learning Cities Networks (LCN) program. Located in the third city of Turkey which is the second biggest port in turkey after Istanbul, IEU was established in 2001 by the Izmir Chamber of Commerce Education and Health Foundation. It exists as a non-profit foundation university, with 6,500 students, recognised by the Higher Education Council of Turkey. Izmir is a significant university city with 9 universities, 4 of these being foundation universities.

Izmir places significant emphasis on internationalisation with English the medium of instruction for all programs except the Faculty of Law. IEU will participate in the Entrepreneurial Learning Cities Network of LCN.