Turkish schools important for northern Iraq’s future

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of a campus for Işık University, which is affiliated with the renowned Fezalar Educational Institute

Date posted: December 10, 2010

ALİHAN HASANOĞLU , ARBIL

Dlawer Abdul-Aziz Ala’Aldeen, minister of higher education of the Kurdish Regional Administration in northern Iraq, has expressed appreciation for Turkish schools in the region, explaining that they have helped improve economic, trade and political relations between Turks and the region.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of a campus for Işık University, which is affiliated with the renowned Fezalar Educational Institute. Turkish Consul General Aydın Selcen, Kurdish Regional Administration Higher Education Minister Ala’Aldeen, National Education Minister Safeen Dizayee, Industry and Trade Minister Sinan Chalabi, Minister of Electricity Yasen Shekh Abubaker, Arbil Deputy Governor Tahir Abdullah, Fezalar Educational Institution General Manager Talip Büyük, Işık University Rector Professor Sedat Akar and several rectors and deputies from the region took part in the ceremony for the construction of buildings on the campus, which covers an area of 130,000 square meters along the road to Mosul.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ala’Aldeen said, “It is an honor to be here with a distinguished crowd like this to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony of an international and valuable university.” He expressed appreciation to the administration and teachers of the Fezalar Educational Institute for their years of service in the country and region. “The administrators of Işık University have made investments in the region and proven that they provide services to the people of this country like the people of this country would. Therefore, I would like to tell them you are not guests here. You are citizens of this country and we will live in this region together for many more years to come,” he said.

‘We look forward to its contributions to educational reform’

Noting that they value Turkish schools in terms of their contribution to politics, the economy and society, Minister Ala’Aldeen said the Turkish schools serve as a bridge between Turks and locals. He explained that the administration has plans to implement major reform in education and said, “Işık University can assume a very valuable and important role in this reform.”

“It could provide support in the development of learning and teaching methods and the development of research issues. Also, foreign lecturers at Işık University could bring valuable lecturers from international universities they are affiliated with,” Ala’Aldeen said.

‘Turkish schools raise bright youths in region’

Arbil Deputy Governor Abdullah, who spoke during the ceremony, said students who receive an education from Turkish schools and study at this university will guarantee progress in the region and Iraq. Expressing his happiness for being present at the groundbreaking ceremony, Abdullah said: “The continued service of these universities in raising good generations means our country will have a good future. The attendance of educated and wise students to this university will be an assurance to our country. The Turkish schools instill values in their students and gave our universities and our people the brightest youth. The schools have done a great service. We express our appreciation and gratitude to the schools’ officials.”

Işık University Rector Professor Akar then spoke. “Only people equipped with knowledge of positive sciences and superior morals can bring peace and happiness to the region, to Iraq and to the world, for that matter,” he said. He noted that the university will serve as the final link of the Fezalar Educational Institute, whose only mission is to raise excellent people starting from kindergarten. Explaining that the future of the country depends on a youth that has received a good education and has strong morals, Akar said: “It is certain that progress cannot be attained without knowledge. But knowledge cannot be used appropriately without moral values. Knowledge will render what it is expected to render only when it is used for the benefit of mankind.”

Akar stated that without people who uphold supreme moral values and have a knowledge in the positive sciences, meaningless wars happening around the world that kill thousands of people, including women, children and the elderly, innocent people and civilians will not end.

Source: Today's Zaman , 10 December 2010