'Erdoğan's Senegal visit could build ties'

The Turkish president's visit to Senegal this week has the potential to strengthen relations between the two countries, according to Senegalese students in Turkey.

"My only dream was to study in Turkey... Thank Allah, I got a scholarship to study here," Alhassane Kane told Anadolu Agency.

Kane, currently earning a master's degree in journalism at Istanbul's Marmara University, is one of the students that received scholarships from Turkey's Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB).

"I think Erdogan's visit to Senegal has great potential. The Senegalese and Turkish governments will play a substantial role in developing relations.

"We expect relations in the areas of education and the economy to grow," Kane said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently on a four-nation African tour, including Algeria, Mauritania and Mali as well as the West African country of Senegal.

Kane said Turkey is a crucial country which plays a key role among Islamic countries.

Khadimou Rassoul Barr, who is earning a doctorate in civil engineering at Dokuz Eylul University in the Aegean Izmir province, called Turkey's history "very interesting."

"Civil engineering is very advanced in Turkey. That's why I wanted to come to Turkey," Barr said.

Barr said after completing his doctorate in Izmir, he will work at Turkish companies in Senegal.

"Turkish-Senegalese ties need to be increased. Relations in every field -- education, construction, agriculture, and health -- need to be improved. Senegal is developing. We will do lots of things together," he added.

Barr also said relations and trade between Ankara and Dakar are "good," adding: "This visit is very important. We expect a lot."

According to the YTB, 90 Senegalese students received scholarships between 2012 and 2017. There are currently 128 Senegalese students in Turkey.