Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, has launched a “Turkish as a Foreign Language” education program for refugee and migrant students from six different countries. The five-month program aims to strengthen equality in education and social integration through language.
Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, has undertaken another exemplary project in line with its social responsibility and inclusive education approach. In collaboration with the Near East University Turkish Language Teaching Department, the Turkish Preparatory School, the Social Contribution Commission, and the TRNC Ministry of National Education Democracy Secondary School, Turkish language instruction has begun for refugee and migrant students from six different countries (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). This five-month program aims to improve the language skills of the 18 students attending the course and support their active and equal participation in their education.

The process, conducted within the framework of social responsibility and inclusive education, is carried out by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Head the Near East University Turkish Language Teaching Department; Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut, Head of the Social Contribution Commission and Director of the Turkish Preparatory School, and Deputy Director of the Turkish Preparatory School, Dr. Tülay Kaya Tekman. The trainings are provided on a voluntary basis by fourth-year students of the Turkish Language Teaching Department.

Equality, Integration, and Access to Quality Education Through Language
The program aims to strengthen refugee and migrant students’ access to quality education by enabling them to use Turkish as an effective communication tool, reducing inequalities caused by language barriers, and supporting students’ adaptation to the school environment. In this respect, the workshop offers a social contribution model that aligns with the global sustainability approach, emphasizing that education should be accessible and inclusive for all.

Language: One of the Strongest Tools for Social Integration
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Head of the Turkish Language Teaching Department at Near East University, stated that this training activity also aims to strengthen social integration by increasing the participation of individuals from different cultures in social life and to support a culture of peaceful living through education. Prof. Dr. Yeniasır also noted that this process, which utilizes the unifying power of language, contributes to the visibility and active participation of individuals experiencing migration and forced displacement within the education system. Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut, Head of the Social Contribution Commission and Director of the Turkish Preparatory School of Near East University, stated that the ongoing project aims to enhance the practical experience of prospective teachers and contribute to a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable education system by continuing educational activities for disadvantaged groups in line with the project’s social contribution mission.

Ali Çoban, the Principal of Democracy Secondary School, stated that such training is crucial for students’ integration into society and expressed his gratitude to Near East University. The training, made possible by Ali Çoban’s provision of the school’s physical resources and his support in reaching students, constitutes a concrete and effective example of university-public sector collaboration.