April 18, 2024
The following statement is deemed necessary due to baseless statements
and comments in recent days that implicate the international students
and higher education institutions in Türkiye:
Türkiye has emerged as one of the top 10 preferred countries globally by
international students, owing to its numerous positive attributes such as
educational quality, safe living environment, and multicultural living.
Students from many countries around the world are enhancing their
knowledge, skills, and competencies peacefully and harmoniously at Turkish
universities.
In countries worldwide, prospective international students are subject to
admission and enrollment procedures according to the laws of the countries
they apply to. In Türkiye, these prospective students also obtain the right
to education in accordance with the principles and regulations that higher
education institutions are subject to. Within this framework, the
application, admission, and enrollment procedures for international
students do not result in any loss of rights for Turkish students.
Internationalization in higher education is one of the fundamental
strategic objectives of the Council of Higher Education and Turkish
universities. This objective is included in the Development Plans of the
Republic of Türkiye. The international students in our country not only
contribute economically but also are of great importance in terms of global
connections and international relations. Approximately 95% of the
international students in Türkiye continue their education through their
own means and return to their home countries as voluntary ambassadors of
our nation.
It should be remembered that we all carry the responsibility to avoid all
kinds of unfounded words, actions, or comments that will hinder our
universities from becoming centers of attraction for international student
and academic mobility.