The education summit organized by the Turkish Maarif Foundation in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on April 27-28, brought together Turkish and Kyrgyz higher education institutions under one roof, becoming one of the most notable organizations in the region. Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) also participated in the summit with its high-level academic delegation.
Representing Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, Rector's Advisor Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Veysel Dal, and International Relations Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ömer Gürkan Dilek attended the summit, contributing to the university's international visibility and engaging in various academic contacts.
The first day of the program was held with the intense participation of approximately 3000 students. The official opening of the first part of the three-stage organization was made with speeches by Kyrgyz Republic Deputy Minister of Education Mahmetkulov Albert Damirbekoviç, Turkish Maarif Foundation Vice President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Emre Bilgili, and Republic of Turkey Bishkek Ambassador Mekin Mustafa Kemal Ökem.
In the second part of the program, students moved to the fair area to visit university stands and had the opportunity to meet with representatives one-on-one. In this context, the MAKÜ delegation provided students with information about the university's academic programs, research infrastructure, and international exchange opportunities. At the end of the day, presentations were made where universities introduced the educational opportunities they offer.
On the second day of the summit, a high-level program focused on international collaborations was held with the participation of Kyrgyz Republic Minister of Science, Higher Education, and Innovation Gülzat Tınıbekovna İsamatova. The program began with the opening speech of Turkish Maarif Foundation Vice President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Emre Bilgili.
Following the opening, a signing ceremony for memorandums of understanding regarding cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Turkish universities was held. In the subsequent panel titled “Internationalization of Kyrgyzstan and Turkish universities: from academic mobility to joint research and innovative collaborations,” attended by a total of 30 Turkish and 30 Kyrgyz universities, the development of academic partnerships between the two countries and the increase of student mobility were discussed. Bilateral cooperation protocols were signed by our University Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar with universities in Kyrgyzstan.
In the final part of the summit, face-to-face meetings held between representatives of local education units of the Kyrgyz Republic, school principals, guidance counselors, and university representatives laid the groundwork for developing concrete collaborations for the future. The MAKÜ delegation also engaged in various contacts within the scope of these meetings, evaluating new academic collaboration opportunities.
