January 30, 2024
Necip Fazıl Kısakürek Campus, built by Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was put into service with an official ceremony.
Nurettin Canikli, Former Minister of Defense, Ahmet Albayrak, Chairman of Albayrak Group, Ewongo Simeon, Minister of International Public-Private Sector Cooperation of the Republic of the Congo, Dieudonné Bantsimba, Mayor of Brazavil, Chris Mburu, United Nations Representative for Central-Africa, David Boke, General Counsel of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of the Congo, Julien Samba, Director General of Private Schools Control and Agreman and many other guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Arkan stated that TMF is the gateway to the world in international education and said that the foundation provides education to 52 thousand 834 students in 52 countries with 444 schools, 1 university, 22 education centers and 37 dormitory buildings. Arkan emphasized that the mission of the foundation is to provide an education based on the common values and heritage of humanity and to raise virtuous individuals who advocate peace and justice in the world and embrace diversity. Arkan noted that Turkish and Turkish culture and civilization are also taught in Maarif Schools and that the International Maarif Education Model (IM), which is accredited in 10 different countries, is an international accreditation system.
Hilmi Ege Türemen, Ambassador of Türkiye to Brazavil, stated that TMF has made an important contribution to improving the quality of education in the Republic of the Congo and wished the new campus to be auspicious. Türemen stated that the relations between Türkiye and the Republic of the Congo are developing in every field and that education plays an important role in strengthening these relations.
Former Minister of Defense Dr. Nurettin Canikli said that Maarif Schools are not only institutions that provide education, but also carry culture and civilization. Canikli said that Maarif Schools convey Türkiye's messages of friendship and brotherhood in Africa and the world and that Türkiye's policy towards Africa is based on humanitarian and conscientious foundations.
Country representative Mutalip Cansızoğlu said that the new campus opened in the Republic of the Congo has excited students and parents. Stating that the new campus is equipped with technological infrastructure and offers large social areas for students, Cansızoğlu said, "The educational vision of our Maarif Schools is to work for the good and peace of humanity. We apply modern education techniques in our schools. We support this with enriched content, a good pedagogical method and technological facilities and materials. Our main aim and goal is to make education permanent by living, producing and experiencing."
Following the opening ceremony, the guests toured the campus and received information about the educational activities. Board of Trustees Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Arkan and the accompanying delegation also visited David Boke, General Counsel of the Ministry of Education and Murat Ülkü, Ambassador of Kinshasa.
During the visit to Jewels International School of Kinshasa, the sister school of International Maarif Schools, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arkan and the accompanying delegation met with school administrators and teachers and discussed more effective cooperation issues. During the meeting, cooperation opportunities in the field of education were evaluated.
