June 25, 2025
With over 70,000 students from kindergarten to university in 55 countries across six continents, Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMF) has become one of the top five international education networks in the world in just nine years since its establishment.
Mahmut M. Özdil, President of TMF, spoke to Anadolu Agency about the foundation’s journey, its international operations, educational model, and future goals, noting the rapid expansion of its global academic cooperation network through innovative platforms such as Türkiye Research Centers and European Education Centers.
Özdil explained that the foundation was established in response to the need for an institution to coordinate Türkiye's educational activities abroad, in line with its increasing global influence over the past 20 years. He stated that following the attempted coup on July 15, 2016, the foundation took over schools affiliated with the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) in certain countries.
“About one-third of our total scale comes from the transfer of schools affiliated with FETÖ,” said Özdil. “But that was not our starting point.”
He noted that these schools were rehabilitated from poor conditions and transformed into respected institutions that meet international standards.
Marking the foundation’s 9th anniversary, Özdil emphasized that TMF now operates in 55 countries across six continents, providing both formal and non-formal education as well as accommodation services to more than 70,000 students from preschool to high school. He also mentioned that the foundation has universities in Tirana, Albania, and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Building Academic Networks through Türkiye Research Centers
Özdil highlighted the establishment of Türkiye Research Centers in collaboration with leading universities in host countries, stating:
“These centers serve as a platform where academics and students planning to pursue higher education in Türkiye can learn Turkish properly before arriving. As an organization operating in 55 countries, we now have the capacity to build an alternative academic network that connects very different countries. This potential truly excites us.”
He also mentioned the creation of European Education Centers designed to meet the educational needs of Turkish citizens living in Europe, particularly offering educational and awareness programs for disadvantaged groups.
Noting that TMF has already ranked among the top five international education networks globally within just nine years, Özdil continued:
“As the Maarif Foundation, we have a unique vision. We will not operate international schools the same way others do—we bring a different claim, a different story. What is that? We aim to raise the next generation by respecting each country’s identity and needs, without detaching from the local context or downplaying local priorities. We must understand each country in which we operate more deeply. Together with that country’s leading educators, we need to generate knowledge and determine what their real educational needs are. That’s why we believe our Türkiye Research Centers will play a major role in deepening academic relations, fostering collaborative knowledge production, and shaping evidence-based policies for our activities.”
Özdil also emphasized that the foundation operates with a financially sustainable model in its 55-country network.
He stated that TMF’s top priority is to further strengthen its educational content:
“One of our goals is to clearly define the standards that make a school a ‘Maarif school’ and to implement an accreditation system. Another strategic goal is to ensure the effective teaching of Turkish. Like every institution, we also aim to enhance our institutional structure, improve workflow processes, and implement a total quality management approach at every stage. Financial sustainability, of course, is one of our major targets.”
A Sustainable Budget Model
Özdil criticized the public debate around the foundation’s budget as being ill-intentioned and misleading, emphasizing that when compared to its global counterparts, TMF operates under a sustainable model—and they are working to strengthen it further.
He noted that 72% of the foundation’s expenses are covered by its own revenues:
“This is quite a strong ratio, especially considering that it includes the European Education Centers Project, which serves our own citizens.”
Özdil also shared that about 17 of the countries where TMF operates are on the UN’s Least Developed Countries list. He stressed that the foundation proposes new, sustainable cooperation models in all countries it operates in, not just in the least developed ones.
Highlighting the importance of implementing curricula that adhere to both international standards and local frameworks, Özdil said:
“Because without properly educating future generations, sustainable development is not possible. In my view, the greatest contribution of Turkish Maarif Foundation is the bridge it builds between education and sustainable development. In many underdeveloped countries, wealthy families send their children to elite schools. However, if those schools do not align with the local context, those children may not contribute much to their country’s future. Our goal is to raise generations who will shape the future of their countries in line with their own identities and needs.”
Özdil stated that TMF’s schools are also recognized and appreciated by the governments of host countries:
“When we first arrived, the Minister of Education in Niger told me, ‘I watched what happened on July 15 on TV. Then I thought: Let the people who educated those individuals also educate my children. I no longer want to send my child to Canada. I want my child to grow up with that same awareness. I will do everything I can to support the operation of schools founded by this Turkish foundation in my country.’ In other words, he said, ‘You’ve raised your people so well—I want the same.’ For us, this is both a great honor and a significant responsibility.”
African Sports Games and Abidjan Science Festival
Özdil underlined the importance the foundation places on having students’ achievements recognized at the international level. He shared that for the past three years, the foundation has organized the African Sports Games, which attracts over 2,000 athletes from 15 countries.
He also mentioned that TMF organized the “Abidjan Science Festival” in Côte d’Ivoire with participation from Türkiye and various African countries.
At the festival, students showcased their projects and introduced their startups. Özdil added that Turkish universities also had the opportunity to present themselves at the event.
