Education Diplomacy: University of Basrah Revitalizes Cultural Exchange with Türkiye through Academic and Language Initiatives
President of the University of Basrah, Prof. Dr. Aqeel Fadhil Hamad Al-Dahan, received the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Basrah, Umut Lutfi Ozturk, and his associate, Arqam Shahin, in the presence of Assistant President of the University for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Ayman Salih Ni’mah, along with a number of senior university officials.
The Turkish Consul General opened the meeting by congratulating Dr. Al-Dahan on assuming the presidency of the long-established academic institution, highlighting the depth of the historical relations and longstanding ties between the two countries, as well as his appreciation and esteem for the University of Basrah and its community.
Ozturk expressed his aspiration to open broad horizons for joint cooperation, emphasizing that the Consulate’s role extends beyond the commercial sphere to encompass educational, cultural, and scientific fields.
The Consul General expressed his country’s desire to establish a formal framework for cooperation between the University of Basrah and its counterparts in Türkiye across various fields, particularly agriculture. He also affirmed the Consulate’s commitment to making every effort to ensure the success of this partnership. In addition, he proposed establishing a Turkish language department at the University, offering to provide specialized staff and the logistical support necessary for the success of the initiative.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Ozturk extended an official invitation to the University President to attend the Consulate’s celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Türkiye. He also revealed that the official Turkish Maarif Foundation School in the province is expected to open soon, representing a valuable addition to international educational institutions and a step towards strengthening cultural exchange.
For his part, the President of the University of Basrah welcomed the visit, recalling the strong ties and shared interests between the two neighboring peoples and affirming both sides’ commitment to maintaining and further developing these relations.
Al-Dahan expressed his optimism about the exchange of expertise and the cross-fertilization of ideas between the University of Basrah and Turkish universities. He also welcomed and expressed his support for the proposed establishment of a Turkish language department, suggesting that a site be allocated for it within the new complex in Abu Al-Khaseeb District, subject to obtaining the necessary ministerial approvals. He also commended the initiative to establish the Maarif Foundation School in the province.
In a related context, Dr. Al-Dahan called on the Turkish Consul General to encourage Turkish students to enroll in Iraqi universities through the “Study in Iraq” programme, affirming the University’s Language Center’s readiness to provide intensive Arabic language courses to ensure their smooth integration with their Arab and international peers. The University President concluded the meeting by extending an official invitation to the Turkish Consul General to attend the central graduation ceremony scheduled to be held next October.
In the same context, the Assistant President of the University for Administrative Affairs expressed his hope that the visit would translate into tangible development projects that go beyond protocol formalities. Regarding the Turkish language education initiative, he noted that specialized courses could initially be offered at the Center for Modern Languages, paving the way for the establishment of a foreign languages center affiliated with the University of Basrah.
Department of Media and Government Communication
