Turkey and Somalia held significant talks to create an enabling environment for Somali students admitted in various institutions of higher learning in Turkey.
The Minister for Education, Culture & Higher Education Abdullahi Godah Barre met the President of Higher Education Council famously known as YOK, Prof. Dr. M. A. Yekta Saraç in Ankara.
He was accompanied by Ambassador Jama Abdullahi Mohamed and Somali Embassy Culture and Education attaché Abdulaziz Abdirahman.
The talks revolved around the state of new and continuing University students which included provision of support to students whose studies were interrupted following the failed coup experienced in the country on 15th July 2016.
Following the talks, the higher education board (YOK) and the YTB who are in charge of Turkish Scholarship have committed to provide a resolution soon to ease the burden from the students.
Somalia’s education ministry has promised to compile a list of recognized universities in the country since some undergraduate students have been unable to proceed with their studies in Turkish Universities due to what was referred to as lack of recognition of those universities by the higher education board.
This matter has also affected a section of Somali students whose admission status remains unclear over the state of their academic credentials.
According to the board, the Somali National University along five other private universities in Somalia are recognized in Turkey. This could change once the Ministry of Education finalizes the complete list of credible institutions.
There could be light at the end of the tunnel since an urgent solution is being worked by the higher education board. A directive is expected from the board to allow for the admission of the students.
The delegation thanked the government of Turkey for the cooperation in academic sector which has contributed to the increase of Somali students who have graduated from Turkey.
This meeting followed a previous one held between Ambassador Jama Abdullahi and Turkey’s Minister for National Education Ziya Selçuk several weeks ago.
Eduation remains a critical part of Somalia and the creation of conducive environment remains a priority for the Embassy.
