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September 04, 2026 Center for Türkiye Studies Established in Skopje through Cooperation between Turkish Maarif Foundation and IBU

A Center for Türkiye Studies has been established in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, through cooperation between Turkish Maarif Foundation and International Balkan University (IBU). Operating under IBU, the center will serve as a research platform where academic studies on Türkiye will be conducted through an interdisciplinary approach.The center’s areas of activity have been structured within a broad academic framework addressing Türkiye from multiple perspectives. Research is planned on Türkiye’s domestic and foreign policy, public policies and regional relations, as well as on economy, trade, investment, development and regional integration. Turkish language and culture, cultural diplomacy, education policies, teacher education and comparative education will also be among the center’s priority areas of study. Research on Türkiye is intended to be approached from a multidimensional perspective, drawing on contributions from disciplines such as history, sociology, media and communication, and law.The center will also develop cooperation with the existing academic programs in the fields of Turkish language and education at International Balkan University. The undergraduate programs in Turkish Language Teaching and Turkish Primary Education, together with the master’s programs in Turkish Language and Literature and Turkish Language Education, are planned to be integrated with the center’s research, project and publication activities. The PhD program in Turkish Language and Literature is also expected to contribute to the center’s academic work.In order to provide Türkiye studies with a more systematic academic foundation at the postgraduate level, International Balkan University also plans to launch a Master’s Program in Türkiye Studies in the coming period. The program is intended to operate in close academic interaction with the center’s research activities.Academic publishing will also be one of the center’s main areas of activity. Plans include establishing book series on Türkiye studies under Balkan University Press and, in the medium to long term, launching a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to the field.The Türkiye Studies Centers established by Turkish Maarif Foundation in different countries not only support the production of academic knowledge on Türkiye but also provide a platform for developing joint research among scholars. Within this framework, the centers aim to develop research projects and thematic working groups, strengthen international research networks, produce data and reports, and prepare policy briefs on current issues concerning Türkiye and related regions....

August 16, 2026 President Özdil Meets with Young People at the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum

President of Turkish Maarif Foundation Mahmut M. Özdil and Member of the Board Dr. Halime Kökçe met with young participants at the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum 2026, organized by the Young Diplomats Association. Held under the theme “Humanitarian Diplomacy in an Age of Crises,” the forum featured a special session entitled “Syria’s Reintegration and Reconstruction,” organized by the Committee of Foreign Ministers. Attending the session as guest of honor, Özdil highlighted education as one of the fundamental pillars of lasting peace and social reconstruction.Organized by high school students under the umbrella of the Young Diplomats Association, the Bosphorus Diplomacy Forum serves as an international platform enabling young people to take an active role in diplomacy and international relations. The forum, where participants directly experience negotiation, representation, crisis management, and decision-making processes, was held this year under the overarching theme “Humanitarian Diplomacy in an Age of Crises.” A total of six committees took part in the forum: three conducted in English, one in Turkish, one in Arabic, and one in French. Throughout the program, regions affected by modern forms of colonialism were examined from the perspective of humanitarian diplomacy, while participants discussed the impact of crises in areas such as security, migration, energy, the economy, and humanitarian aid on human life, as well as possible solutions to these challenges.As part of BDF’26, in which Turkish Maarif Foundation was among the stakeholders, young participants represented different countries in committees and negotiated their views on global issues. One of the forum’s special sessions, entitled “Syria’s Reintegration and Reconstruction,” was organized by the Committee of Foreign Ministers.Participating in the session as guest of honor, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation Mahmut M. Özdil assessed Syria’s reintegration into the international and regional system as well as the country’s reconstruction process from various perspectives. Özdil emphasized that, particularly in the new period emerging after years of crisis, steps to be taken in education would be significant not only for academic development but also for rebuilding social trust and establishing lasting peace. Stating that Syria’s future should be shaped not by external interventions or new struggles for influence, but by the will of the Syrian people and the country’s own social dynamics, Özdil said that Turkish Maarif Foundation was ready to share its international experience in education throughout this process.President Özdil said: “The responsibility of the international community today is not to turn the new environment emerging in Syria into an arena for struggles for influence, but to respect the will of the Syrian people to build their own future. Reproducing the forms of domination experienced in the past through different actors and instruments will not contribute to the climate of trust and stability the country needs. As Turkish Maarif Foundation, we are ready to contribute to this process with all our experience in education. Our aim is not to shape Syria from the outside, but to learn together with our Syrian brothers and sisters, share our experience, and support children in building a strong future in their own country. While Syrian students learned in Türkiye, Türkiye also learned a great deal from them. Now is the time to put this shared experience to use together for Syria’s future.”The session also provided young participants with an opportunity to examine Syria’s reconstruction process through the themes of education, social trust, and respect for local agency....

August 11, 2026 Champions of International Maarif Turkish Debate Project Announced

The 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....

August 10, 2026 31 Students from 19 Countries Come Together at Turkish Summer School

Organized by Turkish Maarif Foundation to enhance students’ Turkish language skills and enable them to gain first-hand knowledge of Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage, Turkish Summer School brought together 31 students from 19 countries in Yalova. The two-week program concluded with a closing ceremony where students presented the academic, cultural, and artistic work they had completed throughout the program.Organized in line with the strategic objective of “Enhancing Quality in Education” and the goal of “Contributing to Turkish Becoming an International Language,” as set out in Turkish Maarif Foundation’s 2024–2026 Strategic Plan, Turkish Summer School was held from July 27 to August 7, 2026, through the cooperation of Turkish Maarif Foundation, Yunus Emre Institute, and Ibn Haldun University at Language Village in Yalova, affiliated with Ibn Haldun University. A total of 31 high school students from 19 countries, all studying at Turkish Maarif Foundation schools and distinguished by their academic achievements, participated in the program.Over the course of two weeks, students had the opportunity to actively use the Turkish knowledge and skills they developed in class in daily life, social interactions, and a variety of activities. The program was structured around three main components: Turkish language development activities; social, cultural, scientific, and artistic workshops; and trips introducing students to Türkiye and its cities. Throughout the program, students took part in a wide range of activities, from oral communication exercises, reading, and writing activities to project-based practices, cultural visits, and various social events. These activities aimed to enhance students’ Turkish language proficiency while strengthening their intercultural communication, empathy, collaboration, and social interaction skills.At the closing ceremony of the summer school, students shared the outcomes of the academic, cultural, and artistic work they had carried out during the two-week program. Turkish Maarif Foundation Board Members Ahmet Türkben and Mustafa Çaltılı also attended the closing ceremony and viewed the students’ work.Turkish Maarif Foundation Plays a Key Role in Teaching Turkish WorldwideTurkish Maarif Foundation plays an important role in promoting Turkish as an international language of communication and culture through its work in teaching Turkish to non-native speakers. Making Turkish language education an important part of its educational activities at Maarif schools across different regions of the world, Turkish Maarif Foundation develops Turkish teaching materials for different age groups and proficiency levels, conducts initiatives supporting teachers’ professional development, and organizes programs such as Turkish Summer School, where students can learn the language through immersion and real-life experience.Through the Turkology symposia it organizes, Turkish Maarif Foundation brings together academics and experts to examine the current status of Turkish around the world, approaches to teaching the language, and the challenges encountered in this field. As part of this comprehensive approach, Turkish Summer School strengthens Maarif students’ interest in Turkish and their motivation to learn the language, brings together young people from different cultures through Turkish, and contributes to making Turkish a more visible, effective, and influential language of communication internationally....

August 04, 2026 Success of Mali Maarif Schools Students in the National Baccalaureate Exam

According to the results of Mali’s 2026 National Baccalaureate (BAC) Exam, two students studying at Turkish Maarif Foundation Schools in Mali ranked among the top students nationwide.In the exam, which was taken by 146,206 candidates across the country, Mahamadou Bamba, a student at the Sokorodji Campus, ranked third nationwide in the science track with a score of 17.28 out of 20. Sékou Oumar Koné, a student at the Sébénikoro Martyr Fethi Sekin Campus, ranked fifth nationwide in the economics and social sciences track with a score of 17.14.Students at Turkish Maarif Foundation Schools in Mali prepare for the baccalaureate exam through guidance and academic monitoring programs conducted throughout the year. An individual study plan is prepared for each student, while academic advisors closely monitor students’ academic progress. Course loads and study schedules are determined in line with students’ goals, and teachers provide support in areas identified through regular assessments. Subject departments also review student performance and contribute to sharing best practices among campuses.The Purpose of Assessment Is Not to Rank, but to GuidePractice exams administered throughout the year help identify areas in which students need improvement. Based on the results of these exams, individual study programs are prepared, while supplementary lessons and small-group study sessions are organized in areas where additional support is needed. Comprehensive practice exams held in May are used to reassess students’ level of preparation. The resulting data are analyzed by teachers and education administrators, and improvement measures are taken in areas deemed necessary.At the schools, where laboratory activities are also conducted as part of science courses, students prepare for the exam through knowledge competitions, group work, and various academic activities....

August 02, 2026 Albania’s Oldest Private University Becomes a Global Brand

Twelve undergraduate programmes offered across three faculties at University of New York Tirana, which operates under Turkish Maarif Foundation, have been included in the 2026 ÖSYM Guide to Higher Education Programmes and Quotas. Located in Tirana, the capital of Albania, and providing education entirely in English, the university enables students from Türkiye to pursue higher education in an international academic environment.Established in 2002 as Albania’s first private university, University of New York Tirana (UNYT) joined Turkish Maarif Foundation in 2018, becoming the Foundation’s first higher education institution. Offering education through its Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Business and Economics, the university ranks among Albania’s leading higher education institutions thanks to its growing academic structure and international partnerships.Twelve Undergraduate Programmes for Students from TürkiyeTwelve undergraduate programmes offered at UNYT have been made available to students from Türkiye through the 2026 ÖSYM Guide to Higher Education Programmes and Quotas. The guide includes Software Engineering, Computer Science, Interior Architecture and Graphic Design under the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture; Political Science and International Relations, Law and Psychology under the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences; and Business Administration, Economics and Finance, Applied Banking and Finance, E-Business and E-Commerce, and Management Information Systems under the Faculty of Business and Economics.These programmes offer prospective university students from Türkiye the opportunity to receive education entirely in English in Tirana and study in a multicultural university environment comprising students and academics from different countries.Student Enrolment More Than Triples in Eight YearsAs one of the key representatives in Albania of Turkish Maarif Foundation’s holistic educational approach extending from preschool to higher education, UNYT continues to expand both its academic capacity and student population. The university currently offers a total of 28 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes through the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Business and Economics.The number of students at UNYT, which stood at approximately 400 when the university joined Turkish Maarif Foundation in 2018, has more than tripled in eight years, reaching 1,447. Having graduated approximately 350 students during its most recent graduation period, the university also continues to strengthen its international structure by bringing together students from different countries.A framework supporting educational continuity has been established between UNYT and Turkish Maarif Foundation institutions in Albania, which provide education from preschool through high school. Students graduating from Maarif schools are therefore able to continue their higher education within the same educational philosophy and in an international university environment.Double Degree and International Education OpportunitiesThrough its double-degree programme with Empire State University in the United States, UNYT offers its students the opportunity to receive diplomas from both universities. With an academic structure aligned with the Bologna Process, the university provides education in accordance with the standards of the European Higher Education Area. This structure supports students in accessing postgraduate education, academic mobility and career opportunities in different countries.Academic partnerships developed with international universities, student exchange programmes and academic mobility initiatives also contribute to UNYT’s multicultural character. Through these activities, the university brings together students and academics from different countries within the same academic environment.Recognising research as one of the fundamental components of higher education, UNYT conducts scientific studies in various fields through the Institute of European and Balkan Studies and the research centres operating under the Institute. The university undertakes academic research particularly on the Balkans, as well as in the fields of politics, society, economics, law and international relations.UNYT publishes the peer-reviewed academic journal International Journal of Balkan Studies and continues to produce books and other academic publications under UNYT Press.98 Per Cent of UNYT Graduates Are in EmploymentSince its establishment, UNYT has educated graduates who have gone on to work as diplomats, academics, university administrators, public-sector employees and professionals in various areas of the business world. The university also regularly monitors the career development of its graduates.According to UNYT’s graduate tracking surveys, 98 per cent of its graduates are active in the workforce. Alumni continue their careers across a wide range of fields, particularly in public institutions, international organisations, multinational companies and private-sector enterprises.The university’s academic connections, alumni network and practice-oriented educational approach contribute to preparing students for professional life. In addition to coursework, projects, teamwork and academic activities allow students to complement their theoretical knowledge with practical skills.A Career Journey from UNYT to DeloitteThe educational and professional journey of UNYT graduate Deizi Imami is a notable example of the educational continuity offered by the university. Imami began her education at International Maarif High School in Albania and completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at UNYT. Today, she works as an Information Technology Specialist at Deloitte, one of the world’s leading professional services firms.Imami stated that the eight years she spent studying at Maarif institutions provided her not only with academic and technical knowledge but also with discipline, self-confidence, time-management, communication and teamwork skills. She added that the support she received from her teachers and academics played an important role in her career development.“Maarif did not only provide me with technical knowledge. It also taught me to work in a disciplined manner, manage my time effectively, act according to a plan and make sound decisions under pressure. Through the projects, assignments and teamwork we carried out outside the classroom, we had the opportunity to prepare for real professional life. The foundations of many of the skills I use in my career today were laid during those years,” Imami said.Emphasising that her educational journey was not limited to acquiring academic knowledge, Imami noted that the process helped her understand herself, continue developing and prepare for the future.“The eight-year educational journey I experienced at Maarif lies at the foundation of the knowledge, technical skills, self-confidence and values I possess today. I believe this journey also reflects UNYT’s vision of ‘Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders’,” she said.With its strong academic staff, research activities, international partnerships and the achievements of its graduates across different sectors, UNYT continues to contribute to higher education in Albania in line with Turkish Maarif Foundation’s educational vision....