Türkiye Scholarships: Vision for Turkey as a global

hub for higher education

Meryem UZAR
Türkiye Scholarships:
Vision for Turkey as a global hub for higher education

1. Introduction to YTB and Türkiye Scholarships

2. A glimpse at International Student Mobility in Turkey

3. Mechanism of Türkiye Scholarships

4. Turkey Alumni

5. Contributions of Türkiye Scholarships

1. Introduction to YTB and Türkiye Scholarships

YTB (Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related

Communities)

Established in 2010. With three working areas:

• Coordination of activities for Turkish citizens
living abroad
• Protection and enhancement of ties with
related communities
• Administration of Türkiye Scholarships
Program for international students
 YTB (Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related
Communities)

There’s an estimated no. of 6.5 million Turks living

abroad and YTB aims to
• establish our country's diaspora policies and carry
out activities to protect the identities of our
citizens abroad
• maintain their ties with their homeland and
improve their status in the societies they live in

In the scope of related communities, YTB aims to

• spread cultural and social activities that will
strengthen relations with communities living in
geographies of common historical and cultural
climate
Türkiye Scholarships

• Education is an important instrument for enhancing and cementing

relations. YTB’s aim is to create a global network of voluntary ambassadors
and therefore higher education opportunities and scholarships are
provided to international students to study in Turkey.
Türkiye Scholarships – Mission and Vision

• A government funded program launched

in 2012, designed for outstanding
international students from all around the
World to study in prestigious Turkish
universities.

• Making Turkey a global hub for higher

education as well as a second home for
students from all around the world.
Türkiye Scholarships – Mission and Vision

1. Enabling more international students to

study in Turkey

2. Building a network of future leaders

committed to enhancing partnership
between Turkey and respective country

3. Supporting mutual understanding

among societies
 2. A glimpse at International Student Numbers in Turkey

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN TURKEY

140
125,138
120
108,076 • 7 million international students
globally as of 2019
100
87,903
80 72,178
• Approx. 150.000 international
students in Turkey (1.6% of the
60 world)
48,183
40 • Aim is to host 200 thousand
international students by 2023
20

0
2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018
Türkiye Scholarships In Numbers

• More than 20.000 international

APPLİCATİON NUMBERS
students from 160 countries 160.000
146.000
currently studying with 140.000 135.000
scholarship 115.000 120.000
120.000

• More than 150.000 graduates 100.000 95.000

from 165 countries 82.000
80.000

• 5.000 international students 60.000 56.000

granted scholarship every 42.000
40.000
academic year
20.000
• Interviews in more than 100 0
countries
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
3. Mechanism of Türkiye Scholarships

• Comprehensive program: Not only provides financial support but also ensures
university placement, academic and cultural guidance, all provisions and services
needed by an international student to feel at home in Turkey.
Scholarship Benefits
University and Program
Placement
University fee

Accommodation

Monthly stipend

One year Turkish course

General health insurance

Once-off flight ticket

Scholarship Programs

• Full-time Programs

1. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

2. POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

• Short-term Programs

1. SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

2. RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

3. TURKISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND ACADEMICIANS

(KATIP)
Scholarship Programs

• Partnered Scholarship Programs

1. Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin History of Science

Scholarship Program
2. Syrian Students Scholarship Programs
• DAFI
• HOPES
• EU
Partners: UNHCR and HOPES
3. Yemeni Pioneers Scholarship Program
4. WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Scholarship
Fields of Study

 Social Sciences

 Humanities

 Natural Sciences

 Health Sciences

 Engineering  More than 70 Universities and thousands of programs

 Turkish language  Top Public Universities, Private and Foundation Universities

 Program Serach Engine and guide in website/online system

 Special Requirements of programs listed specifically

Application

• Applications made ONLINE on

our official website:
www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr

• Can be made in 8 different

languages: Turkish, English,
Arabic, French, Spanish,
Russian, Bosnian, Persian

• Applications free of charge –

accessible by all candidates
from all around the world
Eligibility
Evaluation and Selection Process

• Academic performance • Academic interests

• National exam scores and Preliminary Academic • Consistency of choices
grades Assessment Review • Letter of intent
• Required documents • Shortlisting

• Career goals • Available seats at universities

Leadership qualities Final • Competitive factors
• Interview Candidate’s overall fit to the
• Commitment to return to Evaluation •
home country scholarship program
Services Provided to Awardees

Meet & greet

Flight service at the
Arrangement airport

Opening bank Insurance

account transaction

Residence permit Dormitory

operation placement
Academic and Cultural Guidance

Fresher’s
Academic
(new students) Cultural
congress and
orientation events
workshops
program
Academic Internship
counseling programs

Advisors in International Sports and

universities Student Arts programs

Academy
After Graduation - Turkey Alumni
• Alumni Network – 150 thousand members
from all over the world

• Alumni Associations - 35 alumni associations

in 30 countries

• Türkiye Scholarships
Graduation Ceremony
every year

• Alumni meetings more

than 40 countries
Türkiye Scholarships Students…
• Close communication with
students is key
• Social media channels
• Online students system
• Regular student gatherings –
YTB and Türkiye Scholarships
Offices
• A huge cultural riches and
diversity – More than 17.000
students from more than 150
countries, all regions and
continents
• Follow up of students’ academic
progress as well as cultural and
social development
Contributions for making Turkey a Global Hub for HE

 Providing a best practice example for a Comprehensive Scholarship Program

 Increasing student mobility to Turkey (inbound students)

• Regular flow of students from more than 150 countries every year
• Partnered scholarship programs with Higher Education Agencies/Ministries and
International Organizations - through protocols and agreements.
• Strategic Planning and consultation with universities, respective agenies- for allocation of
fields and levels of study (special attention to development of human capital and
supporting areas of need in respective countries)

 Providing more Postgraduate and Research Scholarships to Academicians and Professionals

• Enhancing and encouraging research, development and innovation in HE in Turkish
Universities
• Increasing exchange of know-how and human resouce in different fields
 Thank You.

Websites
www.turkiyescholarships.gov.tr
www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
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