Closing Ceremony of International Students Academy and 2023 International Students Awards Held In High Spirits

Organized as part of the Students Academy by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), ‘the ceremony for 2023 International Students Awards’ was held at the Conference Hall of the Presidential Complex’s National Library.

The closing ceremony of the International Students Academy was attended by CoHE President Prof. Erol Özvar, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam, presidents of various universities based in Ankara, Afyonkarahisar, Aksaray, Eskişehir, Bolu, Çankırı, Kırıkkale, Kırşehir and Konya, country ambassadors of the award-winning students, partner non-governmental organisations and many other guests.

Taking the floor during the event, CoHE President Prof. Erol Özvar noted how important awards for international standards are. Mr. Özvar remarked that the awards are a token of the vision adopted by the Turkish universities to go global, and added: ‘Türkiye currently ranks among the top ten countries to host the largest number of international students. We aspire to rank among the top five by 2030.’

 Mr. Özvar also said that Türkiye has always been a country known for hospitality: ‘Therefore, we aim for international students in Türkiye to pursue education in a happy and peaceful way. We are trying to make sure that they adapt to Türkiye in the best way possible in partnership with public agencies. We also appreciate the significant efforts of YTB to this end.’

Taking the floor during the event, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam pointed to the deliberate statements recently levelled at international students. Asking international students not to be influenced by such statements, Mr. Çam said: ‘We ask our international students not to be influenced by the deliberate actions of certain people. You are more than welcome here. Anyone who has served for this land is family.’

Mr. Çam noted that YTB not only cares for international students but also responds to the needs of 7.5 million Turkish nationals abroad: ‘YTB is an organization that responds to the needs of 7.5 million Turkish nationals abroad on one hand and looks after international students set to stay in Türkiye for the rest of their life. It stands against forced perception management in an effort to reach out to the global human resources as part of its actions.’

 

Addressing the crowd on the occasion of the event, YTB President Abdullah Eren began his remarks, wishing that the event would improve unity, friendship, and brotherly ties. Mr. Eren then added: ‘I hope that this event, in which we will announce the awards winners under various categories and hold the closing ceremony of this year's International Students Academy, will improve the unity, friendship and brotherly ties among us.’

Mr. Eren said that the recent breakthroughs made in many aspects under the leadership of the Turkish President have helped Türkiye morph into a ‘global education hub’ by moving Türkiye to a higher-ranking league of nationals, especially in terms of international student mobility.

 Mr. Eren reminded that 121,800 students from 171 countries applied for Türkiye Scholarships in 2024: ‘Currently, over 15,000 students of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate departments at Turkish universities pursue education on Türkiye Scholarships.’

 At the event, Anas Abofoul from Palestine, a student at Eskişehir Osmangazi University, delivered a speech in the name of the graduates. Abofoul said: “We add to the literature and encourage our friends through the works we submit to join the International Students Awards and also make a key investment in our future.’

 Pointing to the attacks by Israel in Gaza as part of the address, Abofoul extended thanks to the Turkish people for their support of the Palestine people and added: “I would like to extend my thanks and respect to the Turkish people and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for voicing the injustice facing the oppressed people of Gaza on every occasion and standing by the Palestinian people since day one of the atrocities.’

The Closing Ceremony of the 2023 International Students Academy and the International Students Awards culminated in the shooting of a family photo and an exhibition of works by the students.