In a significant step to deepen bilateral relations, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (MPYP) hosted a delegation from the Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMF) on Tuesday, culminating in plans for a major new cultural exchange and a generous scholarship offer for Pakistani students.
Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan welcomed the Turkish delegation, underscoring the historic “brotherly relationship” between the two nations and Turkey’s consistent support for Pakistan.
The central focus of the meeting was the launch of a Youth Cultural Exchange Program. This initiative is designed to foster mutual understanding and collaboration in education, entertainment, and language studies, creating a platform for students from both countries to learn from one another.
A key announcement from the Turkish delegation was a new government initiative to provide 250 fully-funded scholarships for Pakistani students. This program is intended to facilitate academic exchanges and allow Pakistani students to experience Turkey’s renowned educational and cultural environment.
To formalize this collaboration, both parties agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and the Turkish Maarif Foundation. The MoU will cement frameworks for ongoing cultural and educational partnerships.
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The Turkish Maarif Foundation, a public institution established by the Turkish Parliament, operates 332 educational institutions across 67 countries, serving over 40,000 students worldwide. The high-level delegation included officials from Türkiye’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the TMF.