She Received Turkish Education with YTB's KATİP Program, Came for Official Contact Years Later

Isatou Jobe, who participated in YTB’s Turkish communication program KATİP project during the 2014-2015 term while working at the Gambia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited YTB as part of the delegation of the Undersecretary of the Gambia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lang Yabou. YTB President Abdullah Eren also stated that they were very honored to welcome Isatou Jobe to YTB as part of official contacts, and drew attention to the importance of the KATİP program and the Turkish Scholarships.

Jobe, who stated that she is called Ayşe in Türkiye and that the KATİP program made significant contributions to her career, said that they are working to develop relations between Gambia and Türkiye. Jobe, who thanked the Turkish State and the Turkish people, said, “My name is Isatou Jobe. In Türkiye, I am called ‘Ayşe’. I previously participated in the 8-month KATİP program. I am the first diplomat from Gambia to participate. After returning to Gambia, I was appointed to the Gambian Embassy in Ankara thanks to my participation in the KATİP program. I worked in Ankara for a period. Now, I am serving as the chief clerk responsible for Türkiye in the Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, I came to YTB with the Undersecretary of the Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for official contacts. We came here to develop our bilateral relations. I am Gambian but at the same time I say that I am ‘Turkish’. Therefore, I would like to thank YTB, the Turkish State and the Turkish people. I thank you for the opportunity you have given me.”

Eren, who said that Isatou's definition of herself as a "Gambian Turk" is an indication of how deep the ties between the two countries have become, said, "Our KATİP program is a very important program. This year, we had 4 guest participants from Gambia in the KATİP program. Among them are two diplomats, a journalist and an academic. It is a great honor for us to see Isatou Jobe, in other words, Ms. Ayşe Jobe, here. We thank her for her participation. We were very happy to host the Undersecretary of the Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lang Yabou and his valuable delegation at YTB. We also witnessed the feelings of gratitude towards Türkiye of Isatou Jobe, our Turkish graduate and an employee at the Gambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

 

Isatou Jobe, who served as the Chief Secretary responsible for Türkiye, received Turkish language education in our country within the scope of the YTB’s KATİP program in the 2014–2015 period. In 2015, he received postgraduate education in the Political History program of the Kocaeli University Social Sciences Institute within the scope of Türkiye Scholarships. Jobe also participated in the Diplomacy Academy programs organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2014 and 2024. Jobe, who also serves as the Vice President of the Gambia Türkiye Alumni Association, takes an active role in activities aimed at promoting Türkiye Scholarships and the KATİP Program.

Public officials, academics, diplomats and researchers from different countries of the world receive Turkish language education in Türkiye with the “Public Officials and Academicians Turkish Communication Program” (KATİP) organized annually by YTB. The trainings provided in the language centers of universities last approximately 10 months. “KATİP” participants also receive language training during their stay in Türkiye, as well as participating in various activities such as institution visits, cultural trips, academic seminars and social/sports activities.