Turkish President Gül: Turkish schools abroad largest non-state project

Turkish President Abdullah Gül is seen sitting among participants of Turkish Olympiads. (Photo: AA)
Turkish President Abdullah Gül is seen sitting among participants of Turkish Olympiads. (Photo: AA)


Date posted: June 14, 2012

11 June 2012 / TODAYSZAMAN.COM

Turkish President Abdullah Gül has said Turkish schools abroad are the largest non-state project Turkey has ever seen, noting that the schools’ value will only increase in the future. Organizers and participants in the 10th International Turkish Olympiads presented the Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey Turkish Language Award to the president, who frequently visits Turkish schools when traveling abroad. A short video was screened that depicted the Turkish president’s contributions to Turkish schools and the Turkish language.

Following the screening, Olympiads organizing committee Chairman Mehmet Sağlam said Gül deserved the award for his contributions and that the organizing committee unanimously agreed to present him with the award this year.

The 10th International Turkish Olympiads, which brings together hundreds of foreign students each year from Turkish schools (aka Hizmet schools) established throughout the world, kicked off with splendid ceremonies in cities around Turkey on May 30. A total of 1,500 foreign students from 135 countries came to Turkey for the Olympiads, organized by the International Turkish Education Association (TÜRKÇEDER). This year’s competition, which will end on June 14, will be held predominantly in Ankara and İstanbul, but there will also be activities in 41 other Turkish cities.

President Gül said while children from all over Turkey come to Ankara on April 23 to attend the celebrations as part of National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, the Turkish Olympiads bring children from all over the world. He said he is pleased to host the competition participants in Turkey.

He added that the award is very precious for him and thanked the organizing committee for the honor. Noting that a language is a primary element of culture, Gül said Turkish Olympiads are probably the largest event serving the Turkish language.

“I can say that this project is the largest non-state project. … This is one of the biggest services to the Turkish state,” Gül said. He recalled that students from 140 countries vied to come to Turkey and that currently there are 1,500 representatives from 135 countries.

Gül said when they were discussing opening embassies in countries that have no diplomatic relations with Turkey, they realized that many of those countries already had Turkish schools. He lauded Turks who travel abroad and promote Turkish culture. He also called participants in the Turkish Olympiads “goodwill ambassadors” of their countries.

Gül noted that these activities will result in very strong bridges between Turkey and those countries and that he thinks the value of Turkish schools will only increase in the future.

Source: Today’s Zaman http://www.todayszaman.com/news-283260-.html


Related News

Turkey calls on parents to report Erdogan critics at German schools

Turkish consulates in Germany have been organizing events for Turkish parents and asking them to spy on critics of the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkey at German schools, according to an education trade union, GEW (Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft).

In controversial move Parliament votes to shut down prep schools

The removal of prep schools, however, remains an unsettled dispute, with opponents to the bill saying that without eliminating standardized testing for university entrance, the move will only serve to hamper the poorer high school students’ plans to attend universities, as socioeconomic disparity shows itself in exam results.

Erdoğan gov’t signals change to allow re-trial of officers

At public rallies, Erdoğan has been floating a claim that a gang within the state is attacking his government in the name of corruption. He claimed he has evidence with regard to this group and wanted to expose this evidence soon.
Erdoğan has not offered any evidence so far indicating that such a group acting in violation of the law operates within the judiciary or police force.

Istanbul court blocks access to Gülen’s website

An Istanbul court has ruled to block access to the website of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, accused by the Turkish government of “leading a terrorist organization.”

Saving the soul of Turkey [amid the graft probe]

In terms of fundamental rights, Erdoğan does not tolerate any dissent or critical media at all. He publicly bashes reporters, labeling them traitors or foreign agents just because these members of the press corps are exercising their right to freedom of expression. Civic groups like Hizmet are unable to avoid his wrath as well and are easily accused of running “parallel structures” or “gangs” within the state apparatus with no shred of evidence to back these claims.

The International Festival of Language and Culture visits UN, Ban Ki Moon sends a message

The International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC), which is a Gulen-inspired organization was at United Nations headquarters in New York on April 29, 2016. The youth from many different countries showcased their talents at UN. Mr. Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, sent a message to IFLC.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Who is Fethullah Gülen?

PM Erdoğan also slammed me for my questions on Uludere, says journalist

Journalist Gültaşlı: European institutions are ‘cherry-picking’ imprisoned journalists in Turkey

Water well for 10 thousand Pakistani with the money from cattle milk

Fethullah Gulen: ISIL Actions, Disgrace to Faith

Hizmet turns theories of Millennium Development Goals into practice

It’s not about a conflict between the government and Hizmet movement

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News