News

June 28, 2026 Graduation Excitement at Maarif Schools in Albania

A 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....

June 23, 2026 Turkish Maarif Foundation to Open Its First School in Oman

Turkish 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....

June 22, 2026 Bishkek Maarif Students Earn the Right to Receive Golden Certificates in ORT

Bishkek 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....

June 19, 2026 “International Culture Day” Held at Maarif Schools in Tunisia

“International Culture Day,” an event showcasing the cultures, traditions, and cuisines of different countries, was held at Maarif International Schools in Tunisia.The event, organized at the campus of Maarif International Schools in the capital, Tunis, was attended by Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tunisia; representatives of diplomatic missions; students; parents; and invited guests. As part of the program, traditional clothing, handicrafts, and local dishes were displayed at stands representing various countries, while students presented a range of musical and stage performances. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the cultural heritage of different nations.Speaking at the event, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tunisia, stated that culture encompasses fundamental values that shape societies, from cuisine and architecture to aesthetic understanding and hospitality, and is one of the most important elements in introducing societies to one another.Emphasizing that Maarif Schools are not merely educational institutions, Demircan said, “Maarif is one of our most effective channels for passing on Türkiye’s deep-rooted cultural heritage abroad to younger generations.” Noting that cultural activities are important in revealing the shared values between the two countries and bringing societies closer together, Demircan stated that such activities enable students to become more closely acquainted with Türkiye without having to travel there, while also helping students in Tunisia gain a better understanding of the country in which they live.Intercultural Interaction and Educational Visionİbrahim Sert, Turkish Maarif Foundation Representative in Tunisia, stated that, alongside educational activities, they aim to contribute to strengthening the friendship and cultural ties between Türkiye and Tunisia.Sert noted that the culture festival, held with international participation, contributes not only to students’ academic development but also to their ability to live together with different cultures, share, and engage in mutual interaction. “We aim to raise our students as individuals who embrace their own identities while remaining open to different cultures,” he said.Sert added that the event, which brought together participants from different countries, contributed to strengthening intercultural dialogue and enabled students to engage with universal values....

June 17, 2026 Maarif on the 10th Anniversary of Its Founding Law: A Global Success Story

Ten years have passed since Law No. 6721, which established Turkish Maarif Foundation, was adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on June 17, 2016. Preparing more than 75,000 students for the future across 6 continents and 66 countries, Turkish Maarif Foundation has become one of Türkiye’s strongest global centers of education and culture under the theme “10 Years of Building the Future.” Over the past decade, Turkish Maarif Foundation has built a multidimensional structure ranging from preschool to higher education, from science festivals to sports organizations, and has become an education brand capable of setting the global agenda through Istanbul Education Summit, where major issues in education are discussed.Assuming Türkiye’s international education vision, Turkish Maarif Foundation today operates 524 schools, 2 universities, 16 education centers, 57 student dormitories and 12 Türkiye Studies Centers worldwide. Playing a key role in the fight against FETÖ, Turkish Maarif Foundation has taken over and restructured schools and 1 university previously affiliated with FETÖ in 23 countries, from Afghanistan to Pakistan, from Somalia to Tunisia and Venezuela. At the same time, Turkish Maarif Foundation has established 245 new schools and 1 university in strategic regions around the world and in geographies where the Turkish diaspora has educational needs. In doing so, it has tripled the number of countries in which it operates and consolidated its global presence.Multilingual and Multidimensional Education at Maarif SchoolsAt the heart of Maarif’s decade-long success lies a distinctive educational approach that respects local values while remaining open to international standards. Turkish Maarif Foundation schools fully comply with the national curricula of the countries in which they operate, while also successfully implementing international programs such as Oxford, IB and Cambridge at the levels where they are needed. The “International Maarif Education Model” developed by Turkish Maarif Foundation at the K–12 level stands out with its constructivist approach. Through this model, students are expected to grow not only as successful individuals in academic examinations, but also as well-equipped global citizens with critical thinking skills, multilingual competence, technological literacy, social skills and aesthetic awareness.A Vision Beyond the Classroom: Science and Cultural DiplomacyViewing education as an endeavor that extends far beyond the classroom, Turkish Maarif Foundation brings together global education actors and young talents through major organizations such as TEKNOFEST, Istanbul Education Summit, Science Fest Africa and Africa Maarif Sports Games. The first science festival held in Côte d’Ivoire increased interest in STEM fields among high school students from 27 African countries, while the sports games, launched in Mali and expanded with the participation of neighboring countries, have reached 20 countries and thousands of athletes, strengthening bonds of intercultural friendship. Istanbul Education Summit, held annually under a different visionary theme, serves as an international platform that helps shape global education policies.Maarif Graduates Become Cultural Ambassadors“10 Years of Building the Future” has also marked a period in which Türkiye’s global cultural diplomacy efforts and humanitarian ties have grown stronger. More than 3,000 young people who graduated from Maarif schools and came to Türkiye for higher education are becoming cultural ambassadors as they study in 68 cities and at 143 universities across the country. With professional guidance and career planning support provided by Maarif Agency, these young people are charting their own paths and are regarded as the most valuable legacy Turkish Maarif Foundation leaves for the future.Entering its second decade with strong institutional capacity and a vision focused on quality and sustainability, Turkish Maarif Foundation continues its global journey with determination to contribute to humanity’s common future, in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s goal of “operating in all UN member states.”...

June 15, 2026 Breezes of Turkish Language and Turkish Culture at Harar Maarif Schools

Harar International Maarif School, which has been carrying out educational activities in Ethiopia for seven years under Turkish Maarif Foundation, keeps interest in Turkish language and Turkish culture alive, also thanks to the deep-rooted historical ties in the Harar region. Nourished by the city’s historical fabric and deep bonds, Harar Maarif School offers multilingual education in Turkish and English, in addition to local languages, to a total of 641 students from preschool to high school.Standing out not only with its academic courses but also with its social, cultural and sports activities, Harar Maarif School prepares its students for university life and the future in a well-rounded manner. Sharing his assessments on the school’s educational processes, School Principal Bayram Ali Kocakafa stated that they provide education in Turkish and English alongside local languages such as Amharic, Afan Oromo and Harari. Kocakafa noted that academic studies are supported by rich club activities such as traditional Turkish archery, Turkish cuisine, Turkish debate, photography and visual arts. He also emphasized that Harar’s social structure lies behind students’ strong interest in Turkish and their ability to learn the language with ease, adding that the resonance Turkish has found in this distant geography is a great source of motivation for educators.A Center of Ancient Bonds: Harar’s Importance for the Ottoman Empire and TürkiyeIn addition to being one of the farthest points reached by the Ottoman Empire in East Africa, Harar constitutes one of the most concrete centers of Türkiye’s historical and cultural ties with the African continent. This historic city, which came under Ottoman administration in the late 19th century and became one of the most important strongholds of Islam in the region, carries a deep-rooted heritage into the present day through its architectural works and cultural fabric....