Rector Dalgar: “Internationalization is not only about opening up externally”

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar attended the 'Turkish Universities Education Fair' organized in Tunisia under the leadership of the Turkish Maarif Foundation.

After the fair, Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar made extensive evaluations regarding Turkey's and MAKÜ's goals for internationalization in higher education and spoke as follows: 

“The intense interest shown in Turkish universities in Tunisia is not only a testament to the trust in our country's higher education system but also an indicator of Turkey's determination to become an educational center on a global scale. As Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, we are an active part of this process.

Today, Turkey hosts over 336,000 international students, ranking 7th in the world in terms of having international students.

As stated in YÖK's 2024-2028 Internationalization Strategy Document, the goal of reaching 500,000 by 2028 is not only a quantitative target; it is also an integral part of policies for quality education, cultural interaction, and economic development.

International students contribute approximately 4 billion dollars annually to the Turkish economy; they bring cultural diversity, academic richness, and global interaction to our campuses. These students, who become voluntary ambassadors of Turkey in their own countries, also play a strategic role in terms of our country's public diplomacy and scientific diplomacy.

As MAKÜ, we are an important part of this great vision. Meeting with young people in Tunisia after Indonesia and inviting them to Burdur's safe, peaceful, and cost-effective environment is not only a promotion for us but also a bridge of hearts.

Increasing the number of international students is not just numerical growth for us; it is about enhancing the quality of education, increasing research collaborations, and establishing a global academic and diplomatic network through our graduates.

The tranquility of Burdur and the scientific diversity of MAKÜ offer great potential for students who want to study especially in the fields of agriculture, veterinary, engineering, and social sciences. 

If we want to strengthen Turkey's educational brand and move our universities to higher positions in international rankings, we must shoulder this process not only centrally but also through local universities. Universities in Anatolia can make a strong contribution to this process with their accommodation facilities, peaceful city life, and qualified academic staff.

Internationalization is not only about opening up externally; it is about renewing ourselves internally, updating our curriculum, and bringing campus life to global standards. We see this process as an educational bridge and vision extending from Burdur to the world.

The interest we see at education fairs shows us that this bridge is built on solid foundations. As MAKÜ, we will continue to take our steps with determination in line with our internationalization goals with this understanding.” 

During the fair, Rector Dalgar also made various contacts and, together with other university rectors attending the fair, visited the Yunus Emre Institute in Tunisia. Rector Dalgar, who examined the works of the Institute, one of the important actors of cultural diplomacy, on-site, expressed that they highly value the institution's mission to promote Turkish culture and language to the world.

Rector Dalgar also visited Turkey's Ambassador to Tunisia, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, in his office and presented Ambassador Demircan with the first work of MAKÜ Publications, the facsimile edition of Safahat, as a memento of the visit.

Before Tunisia, MAKÜ, which also opened a stand at the Education Fair held in Indonesia last month, will continue its efforts to increase the number of students in line with its internationalization vision.