Our University Strengthens Its Collaboration with Higher Education Institutions in Turkic States

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şevket Evci, Secretary-General and Asst. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Başer, Head of the International Relations Office participated in the 8th General Assembly of the Turkic Universities Union, held under the Organization of Turkic States in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Many universities from Türkiye and other Turkic states participated in the General Assembly. Speakers in the opening speeches included Hilola Umarova, Vice Chairperson of the Presidential Administration and Responsible for Education Reform in Uzbekistan, Kongratbay Sharipov, Uzbek Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States Prof. Dr. Shahin Mustafayev, President of the Turkic Academy.

Membership for 61 additional universities to join the Union of Turkic Universities was approved, bringing the total number to 171. The proposals were discussed to improve the Union of Turkic Universities and the Orkhon Exchange Program, as well as activities carried out during the 2024–2025 academic year.

The delegation visited the newly established International University of Turkic States, launched under an agreement signed between Türkiye and Uzbekistan. Rector Prof. Dr. Bakhodir Turaev welcomed the rectors, vice-rectors, and academics and shared information about the university. Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan delivered a speech, highlighting our shared history and the contributions of Islamic civilization to science. He also emphasized Uzbekistan’s historical importance as the “Cradle of Science” and stated that we can build a stronger future by working together as Turkic states.

Our university also signed MoU with Tashkent International University, which hosted the General Assembly of the Union of Turkic Universities. Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan presented a tile painting featuring the Çeşnigir Bridge, one of the symbols of Kırıkkale, as a gift to Rector Dr. Iskandar Baxramovich.

The delegation visited the Tashkent International Islamic Academy and met Rector and Presidential Advisor Prof. Dr. Muzaffar Kamilov, Vice-Rectors Dr. Olim Astanakulov and Dr. Salim Dusanov, Rector’s Advisor Dr. Utkir Khasanbev, and other staff. Rector Prof. Dr. Muzaffar Kamilov emphasized that the works, knowledge, and scholarly contributions of Islamic civilization are not only historical but also relevant today.

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan stated:

“Looking at the six countries represented in the Union of Turkic Universities, the number of higher education students is high. If we pair the 8 million higher education students in Türkiye with students in the Turkic states, the wealth of knowledge they could share is immense. The main goal of these collaborations should be to build bridges among the young people who will become the architects of the future.”

Following the meeting, a seven-item protocol was signed. The protocol includes student and staff exchanges, education and internship programs, joint conferences and seminars, academic publication and publications in each university’s journals, 1+1 joint master’s programs, and the translation of the seven-volume “Hidayah” work into Turkish. The meeting concluded with mutual gift exchanges and a photo session.

After signing protocol, Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan delivered a seminar on the history of science in Islam at International Islamic Academy. He discussed the contributions of Islamic civilization to scientific developments and modern technology. He stated that he has shared the contributions of Islamic civilization to science with hundreds of young people in Türkiye and around the world since 2019, highlighting Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin’s life and works. He expressed his pleasure in delivering this seminar in Uzbekistan, the “Cradle of Science”, where scholars such as Ibn Sina, Biruni, and Al-Khwarizmi were educated. The seminar concluded with Q-A session.