17 universities issue joint statement in response to criticism regarding international students

Seventeen universities that are members of the Western Black Sea Universities Association have issued a joint statement in response to remarks made against international university students. 

The statement, which was also published on the official websites of the 17 member universities, included the following remarks:

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM"

"Turkey, which has entered the top 10 most preferred countries in the world through its initiatives in higher education, has succeeded in becoming a global education hub.

In this process, our universities, which are members of the Western Black Sea Universities Association, have made significant contributions to the progress and sustainability of this process in line with the internationalization goal, which is also included in our country's 12th Development Plan. 

Recently, our internationalization efforts, which should be considered an achievement for our universities and which hold an important place among the development strategies of many countries, are being harmed by unfortunate statements.

It should not be forgotten that such actions not only harm the goals of our higher education institutions but also disrupt the environment of peace and harmony that strengthens Turkey's power through 'science diplomacy'. 

"MARGINALIZATION IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH GOOD INTENTIONS"

While the achievements our universities have attained in many fields under the coordination of our Council of Higher Education (YÖK) are an undeniable reality, attempting to disrupt policies that contribute to our country's economic, socio-cultural, and academic development, and marginalizing our students by targeting them, is not compatible with good intentions. 

With our ancient culture, values, and scientific stance, we will continue to support our international students, who are Turkey's goodwill ambassadors, just as we support all our components studying at our universities, in order to raise the level reached by the internationalization vision of the Turkish higher education sector. We will continue to add value to our future with the goal of a fairer world and a stronger Century of Turkey."

News Source: İHA