Türkiye Strengthens Global Influence Through Educational Diplomacy

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Turkish Ministry of National Education (MoNE) is currently implementing 350 educational agreements with 125 countries, expanding Türkiye’s soft power on the international stage through comprehensive educational diplomacy initiatives.

Under MoNE’s guidance, Türkiye’s educational diplomacy fosters cultural partnerships and builds lasting international ties. These agreements provide a legal framework for cooperation, covering programs and memorandums on education from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to Qatar, Greece to Libya, and the Republic of Congo to Mongolia.

New Agreements and Strategic Partnerships

In the past two years, Türkiye’s global educational network expanded with 16 new agreements across 14 countries. Highlights include a protocol with Syria for teacher training, professional development, and special education, and the launch of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Türkiye–Moldova College. Strategic agreements have also been signed with Ukraine, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in areas ranging from higher education to vocational training. Plans are underway with Northern Cyprus, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to open additional Turkish schools.

65 Turkish Schools Across 13 Countries

As of June 2025, Türkiye operates 65 schools in 13 countries, educating over 12,000 students with 679 teachers. Notable new institutions include the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Türkiye–Moldova College and the Karabakh Turkish School, which strengthen Türkiye’s educational presence and play a key role in cultural diplomacy.

Strengthening Cultural Links Through the Sister School Program

Launched in 1994, the Sister School program connects Turkish schools with partner schools in 64 countries. To date, 1,229 partnerships have been established, 712 of them international, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Foreign Students and Cultural Integration Programs

MoNE promotes inclusive education through adaptation classes for foreign students, the PIKTES+ project, and Turkish language and culture courses. In the 2024–2025 academic year, 2,174 students in eight countries studied Turkish language and culture, with plans to expand to 11 countries.

Expanding Influence Through International Projects

The Directorate General for Lifelong Learning oversees adult education, social integration, and employment initiatives in cooperation with EU and UN agencies, including Erasmus+, EPALE, UNICEF, UNDP, and UNHCR, further enhancing Türkiye’s global visibility in educational diplomacy.

Educational Diplomacy as a Core Element of Türkiye’s Global Vision

Projects and agreements implemented by MoNE demonstrate that Türkiye has emerged as a global player in education, not just a regional one. The ministry plans to continue institutionalizing and strengthening educational diplomacy through new agreements and the promotion of inclusive education models worldwide.