Gelibolu Campus Begins Education in Sydney

May 04, 2026

Turkish Maarif Foundation has inaugurated the “Gelibolu Campus” in Sydney as part of its educational activities in Australia. The campus has been brought into service with a meaningful name on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Çanakkale Battles.

Having launched its educational activities in Australia in 2019, Turkish Maarif Foundation has further strengthened its presence in the country with the opening of the Gelibolu Campus in Sydney. Operating under Australian International Maarif Schools, the new campus aims to support students’ academic, social and cultural development through a modern, multicultural and bilingual learning environment.

The opening ceremony was held with the participation of Mahmut M. Özdil, President of Turkish Maarif Foundation ; Ufuk Gezer, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Australia; Mürteza Yetiş, Member of the TMV Board of Trustees; Ali Çiçek, Member of the TMF Executive Board; General Consulate Belgin Ergüneş; Assoc. Prof. Cem Gençoğlu, President of the Board of Education and Discipline; and Member of Parliament Lynda Woltz.

As part of the bilingual education model implemented at Australian International Maarif Schools, course content is delivered in both English and Turkish. Introduced at the primary school level, this model is carried out in line with NESA-approved education programmes. The school currently welcomes students from 21 different nationalities and successfully implements its bilingual education model within a multicultural structure.

Through bilingual education, students have the opportunity to learn and use Turkish in a natural and inclusive environment. The curriculum is designed to develop students’ cultural awareness and literacy skills in both languages from kindergarten to Year 12. While the programme aims to help children from Turkish-speaking families preserve and strengthen their mother tongue, it also offers non-Turkish-speaking students the opportunity to discover a new language and culture.

Through its educational activities in Australia, Turkish Maarif Foundation not only contributes to academic development but also demonstrates a strong approach that prioritises cultural diplomacy in Türkiye–Australia relations. With its meaningful name inspired by a shared historical memory, the Gelibolu Campus serves as an educational bridge that strengthens friendship, mutual understanding and cultural interaction between the peoples of the two countries. By bringing together diverse communities through its multicultural and bilingual education model, the Foundation helps students both embrace their own cultural identities and build relationships with different cultures on the basis of respect.