- The Council of Higher Education and Sudan's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research have signed a protocol to establish the International Türkiye-Sudan University in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

- Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar: "Our joint university will focus particularly on the fields most needed by Sudan, including information technologies, artificial intelligence, agriculture, animal husbandry, mining, medicine, and engineering."

August 3, 2026

Türkiye is expanding its network of international joint universities. Following the establishment of joint universities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, a protocol was signed to establish the International Türkiye-Sudan University in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

The protocol was signed between the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of the Sudan by Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar and Sudan's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ahmed Mudawi Musa Mohamed during a ceremony held in Ankara. The agreement highlights the longstanding historical, cultural, and brotherly ties between Türkiye and Sudan and reaffirms the shared commitment of both governments to further strengthen cooperation in higher education, scientific research, innovation, and academic exchange.

Under the protocol, the two parties will jointly prepare the legal framework, governance structure, academic organization, student admission procedures, quality assurance mechanisms, and other administrative arrangements necessary for establishing the new university.

According to the agreement, the institution will be recognized by both countries as a public university and will possess legal personality under public law.

- Support for Sudan Through the "Guest University Initiative"

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar stated that the longstanding friendship and brotherhood between Türkiye and Sudan continue to grow stronger through expanding cooperation in higher education.

Noting that the internal conflict in Sudan has caused severe disruption to the country's higher education institutions, Özvar said:

"Türkiye has been closely following these developments and is making every effort to support Sudan in overcoming these challenges. In this context, the 'Guest University Initiative,' which we launched to ensure the continuity of education and preserve Sudan's qualified human capital, has become one of the most significant educational support programs that our country has provided to the friendly and brotherly people of Sudan."

Özvar explained that the necessary preparations have been completed to enable Al-Butana University, Bahri University, and Al-Neelain University to continue their academic activities within Turkish universities. He also noted that students from these universities receive financial support through Council of Higher Education scholarships, adding that the rectors of the participating Turkish universities also attended the meeting.

According to Özvar: 4,515 Sudanese students are currently pursuing higher education in Türkiye; 19 Sudanese academics holding various academic titles are working at Turkish universities; and nearly 1,300 Sudanese students have graduated from Turkish universities to date.

He emphasized that both countries aim to deepen their cooperation in higher education and expressed confidence that Turkish universities will make significant contributions to Sudan's reconstruction and development process.

- "The Establishment of the International Türkiye-Sudan University Is of Great Importance"

Referring to the new joint university, Özvar said: "We attach great importance to establishing the International Türkiye-Sudan University, which will take our higher education cooperation to its highest level. Under the leadership of our President, we will undertake every effort necessary to bring this university into operation."

He added that Türkiye will continue sharing its academic knowledge and experience with Sudan. "Our joint university will focus particularly on the fields most needed by Sudan, including information technologies, artificial intelligence, agriculture, animal husbandry, mining, medicine, and engineering."

- Sudan Expresses Its Appreciation to Türkiye

Sudan's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ahmed Mudawi Musa Mohamed stated that both sides would continue working seriously on the issues discussed during the meeting.

Expressing his pleasure at being in Türkiye, Mohamed thanked the Turkish higher education system for the support it has provided to Sudan.

He also extended an invitation to Erol Özvar and his delegation to visit Sudan at the earliest opportunity.