Turkish scholarship program eyes foreign students

The head of Turkey's Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) is calling on international students planning to pursue higher education in Turkey not to miss the deadline for the state-funded Turkiye Scholarships program.

"We are inviting international students from across the world to study in Turkey," said Abdullah Eren, speaking to Anadolu Agency in the capital Ankara.

The program offers opportunities to international students to study at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels at Turkey's most prestigious universities, Eren said.

Those who wish to study in Turkey can apply for the program at www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr until Feb. 20, he said.

"Extensive information about our education system in Turkey and information about [local] cities can be found on our website so that students can easily apply," he said.

The government-funded competitive scholarship program is awarded to outstanding students to pursue a full-time or short-term programs at top universities in Turkey, according to the official website.

"It aims to build a network of future leaders committed to strengthening cooperation among countries and mutual understanding among societies," it says.

All expenses paid

Eren also spoke about the advantages of the program for students.

"We are meeting their university fee and health insurance until the end of their education. The students' dormitory expenses are also met by the program," he said.

Round-trip flight tickets are also paid for by the YTB.

"In addition to all this, we also provide pocket money to our students. So a student who get this scholarship can study without the need for any other funds."

Record number of applications

There has been a significant increase in applications since the Turkiye Burslari [Scholarships] brand was created in 2012, Eren said.

"In 2012, when the program was launched, around 42,000 applications were received, while it reached 136,000 in 2018."

Some 17,500 students from 160 countries are now benefiting from this program, he said.

"We are expecting a record number of applications from each country across the world this year."

Calling students studying in Turkey a "bridge" between Turkey and their own countries, he said they pave the way for improving political, economic and inter-communal relations.