Promoting Globalization in our Universities
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, recently met with rectors in Ankara at the Parliament for the Opening Ceremony of the 2024-2025 Higher Education Academic Year. In his speech, Kurtulmuş highlighted the significant progress made in Turkey, particularly in the field of higher education, and commended the hard work of those in the education sector.
Reflecting on his own experience growing up when universities were limited to a few cities, Kurtulmuş noted the expansion of universities across the country with now one in every city. He praised the army of university students in Turkey, totaling 7.5 million, including 340 thousand foreign students, emphasizing the importance of global connections in education.
Kurtulmuş also emphasized the need for universities to strive for quality and competitiveness, especially now that there are 208 universities in Turkey. He called for increased internationalization of universities, encouraging collaborations and exchanges to enhance academic standards and global recognition.
Addressing the role of universities in society, Kurtulmuş expressed satisfaction with the integration of universities with their cities and emphasized the need for universities to address social issues and contribute to value production. He stressed the importance of educating youth on moral values and conscience to contribute positively to humanity.
In light of recent global events, Kurtulmuş highlighted the importance of education grounded in values, condemning the lack of humanity and ethics in certain actions. He called for universities to uphold moral values and teach students to prioritize the common good of humanity.
The ceremony was attended by President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Erol Özvar, Secretary General of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Talip Uzun, and former rectors who are now serving as deputies. The event symbolized a commitment to the continued advancement of higher education in Turkey with a focus on quality, internationalization, and social responsibility.
