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August 11, 2026 Champions of International Maarif Turkish Debate Project AnnouncedThe final event of the International Maarif Turkish Debate Project for the 2025–2026 academic year was held in Istanbul. Organized by Turkish Maarif Foundation, the project aims to improve students’ ability to use Turkish effectively, think critically and express themselves accurately.Approximately 250 students studying at Turkish Maarif Foundation schools and education centres participated in the project, which was held for the third time this year and has become a tradition. Following eight weeks of debate workshops, 48 teams from 24 countries applied to participate in the tournament. At the end of the online preliminary and elimination rounds, followed by the quarter-final and semi-final matches, four teams from four countries qualified for the final event in Istanbul.16 Students from Four Countries Meet in IstanbulIn the category for students who use Turkish as their mother tongue, Sarajevo Team from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hâr-ı Bülbül Team from Azerbaijan advanced to the final. In the category for students learning Turkish as a foreign language, Belâgat-ı Herat Team from Afghanistan and Quetta Girls’ High School Team from Pakistan qualified for the final.As part of the final event, which brought together 16 students from four countries and their supervising teachers, interview recordings were conducted on 20 July 2026. The final matches were recorded at TRT Studios on 21 July.Following the highly exciting matches, Hâr-ı Bülbül Team from Azerbaijan became the champion in the category for students who use Turkish as their mother tongue. Quetta Girls’ High School Team from Pakistan won first place in the category for students learning Turkish as a foreign language.The award ceremony was held on 22 July 2026 at the headquarters of Turkish Maarif Foundation in Üsküdar. The event was attended by Turkish Maarif Foundation President Mahmut M. Özdil, Vice President Prof. Dr Ahmet Emre Bilgili, project coordinators, teachers and finalist students.Speaking at the ceremony, Turkish Maarif Foundation President Mahmut M. Özdil stated that all the students who had reached the final after a long preparation process had achieved significant success. Emphasising that debate offers students a wide range of benefits beyond learning Turkish, Özdil said that the students had developed their ability to assess different ideas, approach issues from various perspectives, structure their thoughts and express them accurately.Özdil said:“Regardless of the language, it is important that you have learned to think, question your own thoughts and develop different perspectives by asking, ‘We can look at this issue from this side, but what would we encounter if we looked at it from the other side?’ I believe that this competition has contributed not only to your Turkish language skills but also to your ability to organise and accurately express your thoughts.”Özdil encouraged the students not to see themselves as foreigners in Istanbul, but as representatives of a shared civilizational heritage. He also highlighted the importance of students from different countries coming together within the same linguistic and cultural environment.Turkish Maarif Foundation Vice President and Chair of the Debate Jury Prof. Dr Ahmet Emre Bilgili also congratulated the finalist students and noted that the matches had been highly competitive. Stating that the competition was the outcome of a long and intensive preparation process, Bilgili said that the students had reached the final by conducting research and reflecting deeply on the debate topics.Pointing out that the difference in scores between the first- and second-place teams was very small in both categories, Bilgili said:“Reaching the final is a major achievement in itself. In both categories, the difference between first and second place was extremely small. This result demonstrates how closely matched the teams were. Therefore, all the finalists successfully completed the competition.”Bilgili advised the students to make the most of their programme in Istanbul, emphasising that city tours provide an important learning opportunity. He encouraged the students to examine carefully the monuments and historical works they encountered during their visits to the Bosphorus, Sultanahmet and the Historic Peninsula, listen attentively to the information provided and take notes. He also recommended that they keep a digital or written travel journal about their visit to Istanbul.Language Skills Integrated with Critical ThinkingInternational Maarif Turkish Debate Project aims not only to enable students to use Turkish effectively and accurately, but also to strengthen their skills in conducting research, developing theses and antitheses, substantiating their ideas and speaking before an audience.Combining prepared and impromptu speaking activities, the project helps students build self-confidence, work collaboratively and approach differing opinions with respect. It also provides a multidimensional learning environment that integrates students’ linguistic competence with critical thinking, moral awareness and persuasive communication skills....
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July 11, 2026 MAARIF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAMP CONCLUDESMaarif Professional Development Camp, organised by Turkish Maarif Foundation to bring together education personnel working in different parts of the world, has concluded. The two-week programme, held in Ankara’s Kızılcahamam district, was attended by school principals, accounting personnel and Turkish language teachers working at Turkish Maarif Foundation educational institutions in 66 countries. The camp aimed to support professional development, strengthen institutional cooperation and promote a shared understanding of quality across educational processes.During the first week of the programme, which brought together personnel from more than 600 educational institutions across six continents, sessions were organised for school administrators and accounting personnel. The second week was dedicated to Turkish language teachers working in different countries. The sessions addressed a wide range of topics, including educational administration, supervision and guidance processes, financial literacy and language teaching. Participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and develop joint solutions to the challenges they encounter.During the second week, which was devoted to Turkish language teachers, initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Turkish language teaching came to the fore. Attended by 165 participants from 37 countries, the programme covered the relationship between culture and language, the role of Turkish language teaching in developing thinking skills, teaching methods that enable students to connect Turkish with everyday life, and the development of country-specific educational materials.During the sessions entitled “Inspiring Teachers” and “Reflections in the Mirror of Culture”, teachers working in different countries shared their field experiences with their colleagues and discussed examples of good practice as well as possible solutions to the challenges they face.Özdil: Quality Will Be the Focus of the Second DecadeSpeaking at the closing ceremony, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation Mahmut M. Özdil said that Turkish Maarif Foundation had focused on strengthening its institutional presence in different countries during its first decade, while deepening the quality of education had become the priority for the new period.Highlighting the importance of Maarif Schools establishing strong relationships in the countries where they operate, Özdil emphasised the need to further improve the quality of educational content and increase the impact of educational activities. President Özdil made the following remarks:“During the first ten years, we worked to establish our presence, institutionalise our operations and build trust. In the second decade, we must now place our quality, educational content, the depth of our activities and the impact we create at the centre of our efforts. Although access to knowledge has become easier today, the role of schools and teachers is not merely to transmit information. Their role is to develop students’ character, willpower and conscience and to strengthen the culture of living together.”Özdil also addressed the role of Turkish language teachers in Turkish Maarif Foundation’s international education vision. Stating that Turkish is not merely a means of communication, he drew attention to teachers’ responsibility in transmitting culture.“Our Turkish language teachers are not merely the bearers of a curriculum or the implementers of a programme in the classroom. Turkish is one of our most important assets, carrying our shared memory, experience, culture and way of thinking. It is therefore essential for our teachers to understand the language, culture and ways of thinking of the societies in which they work, and to enrich Turkish through new encounters while encouraging their students to appreciate the language.”Throughout Maarif Professional Development Camp, participants discussed topics such as developing a culture of quality in educational processes, Maarif workshop and club activities, the planning of international events, students’ character development and innovative approaches to language teaching.Music, traditional tile art and ceramics workshops organised as part of the social and cultural programme also strengthened interaction among colleagues from different countries. The talks entitled “A Travelogue of East Turkistan” by journalist Taha Kılınç and “The Desire to Write” by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt were among the programme’s notable events....
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July 02, 2026 Double Success from Maarif Students at WAMAS 2026Students of Maarif International School of Romania added yet another achievement to their international success. The students continued their success streak in mental arithmetic with the rankings they achieved at WAMAS 2026 – World Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Championship, held in Istanbul.Having previously achieved significant rankings at AMAKids World Cup held in France, Brain Master World Cup held in Dubai, and WAMAS Ajman held in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, students of Maarif International School of Romania made Turkish Maarif Foundation proud once again with their performance at WAMAS 2026.In the competition, which brought together hundreds of students from different countries around the world, students of Maarif International School of Romania once again demonstrated their competence in mental arithmetic and completed the organization with important achievements. Natalia-Cristina Baba won first place in the Start I – Group C1 category and earned the gold medal. Lavinia-Teodora Baba, meanwhile, received the title of “Champion” in the Start II – Group B category.In mental arithmetic competitions, students are expected to complete a large number of operations accurately and quickly within a limited time. In this respect, the results achieved at WAMAS 2026 served as an important indicator of the preparation process carried out through regular study, attention, speed of calculation, and teacher guidance.Maarif Schools, operating in 66 countries around the world, continue their activities aimed not only at supporting students’ academic development but also at improving their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as strengthening their social and cultural development....
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June 29, 2026 Professional Development Camp Begins in KızılcahamamThe 10-day Professional Development Camp has brought together Maarif personnel serving in different countries in Kızılcahamam.Organized by Turkish Maarif Foundation for school administrators, Turkish language teachers and accounting personnel, the Professional Development Camp has begun in Kızılcahamam. Inaugurated with the participation of Turkish Maarif Foundation President Mahmut M. Özdil, the camp aims to enhance participants’ professional competencies, strengthen a shared understanding of quality in educational and administrative processes, and increase institutional cooperation.In addition to Turkish Maarif Foundation President Mahmut M. Özdil, members of the Board of Trustees, members of the Board of Directors and department heads of the Foundation attended the opening program. During the program, emphasis was placed on the importance of evaluating the work carried out at Maarif schools in different countries from a common perspective and transferring field experiences into institutional memory.The program aims to contribute to knowledge sharing, the exchange of experience and the strengthening of institutional capacity by bringing together administrators, Turkish language teachers and accounting personnel serving at Maarif schools in different regions of the world. Over the course of 10 days, participants will have the opportunity to assess current practices in sessions tailored to their respective fields and to develop joint solutions for needs encountered in the field.Within the scope of the Professional Development Camp, topics such as improving quality in teaching and learning processes, examples of good practice, Maarif workshop and club activities, planning national and international events, regional evaluations, the relationship between language and culture in educational management, and the role of schools in students’ character development will be addressed. The program will also include sessions on the International Maarif Program, activities under PACT, supervision and guidance processes, quality culture and continuous improvement in education, financial literacy, Turkish language teaching and foreign language instruction. In sessions led by field experts, methods and approaches aimed at enhancing the quality of educational processes will be shared with participants.The camp’s social and cultural program also includes workshops such as music, tile art and ceramics. Through these activities, participants are expected to share the experiences they have gained in different countries in a more interactive environment and strengthen professional solidarity.The 10-day camp is expected to reinforce a shared understanding of quality in Turkish Maarif Foundation’s educational activities across different geographies, contribute to the dissemination of good practices and enhance professional communication among Maarif personnel....
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June 28, 2026 Graduation Excitement at Maarif Schools in AlbaniaA graduation ceremony was held for students who completed their education at Maarif Schools in Albania. The ceremony, held at the Palace of Congresses in the capital Tirana, witnessed meaningful moments with the wide participation of students, their families and representatives of the education community.The program was attended by President of Turkish Maarif Foundation Mahmut M. Özdil, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tirana Barış Ceyhun Erciyes, Albania’s Deputy Minister of Education Orjana Osmani, representatives of Turkish institutions and local organizations in the country, school administrators, teachers, students and parents. During the program, students’ achievements throughout their educational journey were highlighted, while attention was drawn to the contribution of Turkish Maarif Foundation’s educational activities in Albania to the friendly relations between the two countries.Speaking at the ceremony, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation Mahmut M. Özdil stated that the Foundation continues its educational activities in different regions of the world and today reaches students in 66 countries. Addressing the graduating students, Özdil emphasized that the education they received would form a strong foundation for their journey in life. Özdil said, “Dear young people, our expectations of you are high. However, we know that you will build your own lives through your own efforts. I believe that the education you received here is a solid starting point for you. From now on, your curiosity, courage, diligence and character will shape your path.”Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tirana Barış Ceyhun Erciyes stated that Turkish Maarif Foundation raises successful students in Albania with its understanding of quality education. Noting that relations between Türkiye and Albania are based on deep-rooted historical ties, strong friendship and mutual trust, Erciyes said that cooperation in the field of education is one of the most important dimensions of these relations. Ambassador Erciyes stated that Maarif schools are among the prominent examples of educational cooperation between the two countries and said, “Today, we are at the most critical and important point of our cooperation in education between the two countries. The work carried out by Maarif schools in the field of education is the shining star of this cooperation and one of its finest examples. Thanks to this strong bond in education, we look to the future of Türkiye-Albania relations with confidence.”Albania’s Deputy Minister of Education Orjana Osmani also stated that graduation ceremonies do not merely mark the end of an educational period, but also symbolize the beginning of a new chapter in students’ lives. Osmani said she believed that students would take stronger steps toward the future with the knowledge, skills and values they had acquired so far.The ceremony continued with students being invited to the stage and receiving their graduation certificates. As the graduates shared the excitement of this special day with their families and teachers, the program concluded with a commemorative photo session....
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June 23, 2026 Turkish Maarif Foundation to Open Its First School in OmanTurkish Maarif Foundation is preparing to open its first school in the Sultanate of Oman, taking its educational activities in the country to a new stage. A significant milestone has been reached in the process regarding the allocation of land in Sultan Haitham City for the educational campus planned by Turkish Maarif Foundation in Muscat.Turkish Maarif Foundation’s educational activities in Oman began with elective Turkish language courses launched in 2019 under the cooperation agreement signed with Sultan Qaboos University. The process of elevating Turkish Maarif Foundation’s educational presence in the country to the school level gained momentum when the allocation of land or a building for opening a school was brought onto the agenda during the visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to Türkiye on 28–29 November 2024. In this context, during the working visit to Oman on 13–17 September 2025, meetings were held with officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, land options in Sultan Haitham City were examined on site, and consensus was reached on the most suitable area for the campus. The process took concrete form with the cooperation agreement signed between Turkish Maarif Foundation and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning of the Sultanate of Oman during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Oman on 23 October 2025. Under the agreement, it was decided that land would be allocated to Turkish Maarif Foundation in Sultan Haitham City, one of Muscat’s prestigious smart city projects, for the construction and operation of an educational institution.The Land Usufruct Agreement, which follows the cooperation agreement on land allocation, was signed and officially entered into force during the working visit held in Muscat on 21–25 June 2026. During the visit, the technical and architectural roadmap for the campus was clarified, while efforts were also initiated regarding the establishment of Turkish Maarif Foundation’s legal entity in Oman and the licensing procedures for opening a private school.The school to be opened by Turkish Maarif Foundation in Oman is expected to further strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries and make a significant contribution to Turkish Maarif Foundation’s international education network....
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June 22, 2026 Bishkek Maarif Students Earn the Right to Receive Golden Certificates in ORTBishkek Maarif Education Complex students Varvara Glinova and Matvey Nizovskiy have earned the right to receive Golden Certificates after achieving high scores in Kyrgyzstan’s National University Entrance Exam.In ORT, which plays a decisive role in students’ transition to higher education across Kyrgyzstan, Varvara Glinova scored 235 points, while Matvey Nizovskiy scored 231. With these results, Glinova and Nizovskiy ranked among the most successful students in the exam and were deemed worthy of the Golden Certificate award, granted to a limited number of students in the country.The students’ achievement was welcomed with great satisfaction at Bishkek Maarif Education Complex. Following their success, an official award ceremony will be held for the students. Varvara Glinova and Matvey Nizovskiy are expected to receive their Golden Certificates at a ceremony to be held with the participation of President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov.What Is the Golden Certificate?In Kyrgyzstan, the Golden Certificate is awarded each year to a limited number of students who demonstrate the highest level of success in the National University Entrance Exam. Considered one of the country’s prestigious academic achievement certificates, the Golden Certificate grants students the right to enroll in universities in Kyrgyzstan without taking an entrance exam and with a state scholarship....