In his address, Erdoğan emphasized the international appeal of Turkish universities, noting that 340,000 foreign students from 198 different countries are currently studying in Türkiye. He praised the global reach of Turkish education, stating, “During our overseas trips, we frequently meet academics, businesspeople, and ministers who, having studied in Türkiye, speak Turkish fluently and see themselves as voluntary envoys of our nation. Even after they leave, those who graduate from Türkiye continue to contribute to our country’s economy, tourism, and cultural diplomacy.”

Erdoğan reflected on the significant strides made in the Turkish education sector over the past 22 years, particularly in the expansion of higher education institutions. He noted that the number of universities in Turkey has grown from 76 in 2002 to 208 today, ensuring that higher education is accessible to students across the country.

“We said we would leave no city without a university, and we have done so. We have extended higher education opportunities even to the remotest corners of our country,” Erdoğan said. He also pointed out the increase in academic staff, including professors, associate professors, and PhD lecturers, contributing to a “powerful, dynamic, and prolific ecosystem of research and development” throughout Turkey.

Erdoğan reiterated the government’s commitment to further improving Türkiye’s standing in the fields of science, industry, and education, particularly in higher education. He concluded by saying, “We will step up our efforts to elevate our country to the place it deserves in science, industry, and education, including higher education.”

The ceremony marked another milestone in Türkiye's ongoing efforts to expand and enhance its educational infrastructure as part of the broader Century of Türkiye initiative, aimed at fostering technological and economic growth. (ILKHA)