Turkish delegation, minister vow to strengthen educational ties

PESHAWAR: A Turkish delegation met with Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi and discussed efforts to strengthen collaboration in the field of higher education and research between Pakistan and Turkiye.

The delegation comprised Mehmet Toyran - Education Counselor, Turkish Embassy, Dr Tahir Shah - Secretary, Education Counselor, Turkish Embassy, and Dr Irfan Ullah Shah - CEO, Anatolia Education Consultant.

While Dr Umar Khan - Director General, Commerce, Higher Education Department (HED) Prof Dr Zahoor - Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Dr Mohsin Habib, Deputy Secretary, Universities/Colleges HED Dr Imran Marwat - Director, Quality Assurance Cell attended the meeting.

Mehmet Toyran highlighted the longstanding cultural, economic, and religious ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, emphasizing the close relationship at both the governmental and people-to-people levels.

He said that Turkiye had 200 public sector higher education institutions, with a fee structure comparable to that of universities in Pakistan. Mehmet Toyransaid these institutions offered an environment conducive to Pakistani students, who also have the opportunity to spend part of their graduate programme at European universities.

He added that enrollment in undergraduate programmes in Turkiye required passing an entrance exam, held twice a year in May and September. Approximately 30 percent of Turkish universities offered English as the medium of instruction, he went on to add.

Despite significant participation from students across Pakistan in entrance examinations held in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, participation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was minimal due to a lack of awareness about the application process.

It was proposed that awareness seminars be arranged in collaboration with the Turkish Embassy in educational institutions across KP to increase participation from the province.Toyran shared that the Turkish Embassy was planning to organize a visit for vice-chancellors and rectors from universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Turkish institutions. He said that this initiative was aimed at strengthening collaboration in higher education and research.

He said his country offered numerous scholarship programmes for Pakistani students, with 150 students recently selected for higher studies in Turkish institutions. Toyran said that there was also interest in extending collaboration to the technical and vocational education sector. The higher education minister inquired about any specific initiatives for the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In response, the Turkish delegation expressed their willingness to enhance collaboration by establishing a “Turkish Corner” in universities and colleges across KP.They also proposed opening a Turkish Centre in Peshawar, similar to those in Lahore and Karachi.

The delegation requested the provision of contact details for focal persons to facilitate interaction with the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad. Provincial Minister Meena Khan assured the Turkish delegation that the Higher Education Department would facilitate collaboration between the two brotherly countries in the field of higher education. He said the Higher Education Department would facilitate the holding of awareness sessions in universities and colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.