In a landmark boost to academic exchange, Turkish Ambassador Irfan Neziroglu has urged stronger educational cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye, calling it a crucial investment in the nations’ shared future.
Speaking at an orientation ceremony at the Turkish embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Neziroglu welcomed 166 Pakistani students selected for fully funded Türkiye Scholarships for the 2025 academic year. He revealed that this year marks a record intake of Pakistani scholars, reflecting growing interest in academic collaboration.
“Every year, nearly thirty thousand students apply for Türkiye scholarships, and we are proud that a record number of Pakistani students will now pursue undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies in Türkiye,” he said.
Currently, around 5,000 Pakistani students are enrolled in Turkish universities, but the ambassador emphasized that this number remains far below the partnership’s full potential. He expressed hopes of rapidly expanding academic exchanges, noting additional opportunities through TUBITAK, the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), and IHH.
Mehmet Toyran, Education Counsellor at the Turkish embassy, echoed these views, stressing that Türkiye considers Pakistan’s progress as its own. “We will continue to support initiatives that expand access to education and opportunities for Pakistani youth,” he remarked.
The ceremony also announced a cultural trip to Türkiye for 200 outstanding Pakistani students, an initiative approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to further strengthen cultural and academic linkages.
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The orientation concluded with a briefing and interactive session led by Dr Tahir Shah from the Education Counselor’s Office, equipping the new scholars for their academic journey abroad.