Turkish Universities Among the Top 10 Globally for Attracting Arab and International Students

Ankara – In a world where competition for young minds is increasing, Turkey stands out as one of the most important educational destinations on the international scene. With its unique combination of academic quality, cultural diversity, and affordable costs, Turkey has become the ideal choice for students seeking a university education that combines excellence with a rich life experience.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced last Friday, during the 4th Istanbul Education Summit, that his country has become one of the top 10 countries in the world for welcoming international students.

Erdoğan added, "By providing university education to 338,161 international students this year, our country, which allocates 4.76% of its higher education capacity to this category, ranks among the top 10 countries globally."

He pointed out that the Turkish Maarif Foundation, which operates in 55 countries, is making efforts to convey Turkey's rich and ancient educational heritage to the world.

For his part, Erol Özvar, President of the Turkish Council of Higher Education, confirmed in his statements last November that Turkey will host approximately 350,000 international students from nearly 200 countries by 2023, representing 2.9% of the total number of international students worldwide, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

During his speech at the opening session of the 16th Conference of Rectors of the Black Sea Region, he added, "Turkey is today among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of the number of international students, and we aim to increase this number to 500,000 in the near future, with the ambition to reach one million international students in the next phase."

Arab Attendees

Özvar emphasized the importance of "internationalization" in the Turkish higher education system, asserting that the progress Turkey has achieved in this field is "very strong and promising for the future." However, he noted that current plans are not limited to numbers alone, as Turkey seeks to enhance the quality and accreditation of its higher education system.

According to the World Federation of Student Organizations, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada topped the list of countries hosting the most international students last year.

Turkish universities are a major destination for Arab students, who constitute a significant percentage of the total international student population in Türkiye.

According to data from the Turkish Council of Higher Education for the current year, the number of Arab students has reached more than 130,000, representing approximately 39% of the total international student population in Turkey, highlighting Turkey's position as a preferred choice for students from the Arab world.

Syria tops the list with 60,750 students, followed by Iraq with 13,153, and Egypt with 10,695. Other Arab countries also have a significant presence, most notably Yemen with 7,927 students, Somalia with 8,872, and Sudan with 5,847. The remaining numbers are distributed among the Maghreb and Gulf countries.

Attractive Factors

Turkish universities occupy a prominent position in higher education rankings. According to the URAB University Performance Ranking, Turkish universities such as Middle East Technical University, Istanbul University, and Boğaziçi University ranked among the top 500 universities for 2023.

For example, Middle East Technical University ranked 336th globally according to the QS ranking, while Istanbul University ranked 450th in the ERWU ranking, and Çankaya University ranked 173rd in the US News ranking for 2023.

The Turkish education system also features a wide variety of academic programs offered in both Turkish and English, making it a preferred choice for international students, especially from Arab countries. These programs offer specializations that meet the needs of the global labor market, along with easy admission for international students and a university environment that provides a comprehensive educational and cultural experience.

Furthermore, the costs of education and living in Turkey are lower compared to Western countries, giving students the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education at an affordable cost. The ease of movement from Arab countries and Türkiye's geographical proximity enhance its attractiveness as an educational destination, combining academic excellence with a strategic location that links East and West.

Government Support

Turkey adopts a comprehensive vision to enhance its position as a global educational destination, based on government policies that combine academic support with cultural promotion. In this context, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities is at the forefront of efforts through the Türkiye Scholarship Program, launched in 2012 as one of the most ambitious government programs to attract international students.

The program provides educational opportunities for outstanding students from around the world. It not only provides free education but also covers housing costs, health insurance, and Turkish language courses. It received more than 121,000 applications from 170 countries in 2024 and awards approximately 5,000 scholarships annually.

In support of these efforts, the Yunus Emre Institute plays a pivotal role in spreading the Turkish language and culture globally through more than 40 cultural centers around the world. The institute offers Turkish language courses and organizes cultural events aimed at introducing other peoples to Turkey's rich heritage and strengthening cultural ties with them.

In this context, Ekrem Reza Oglu, a researcher at the Turkish Education Foundation, emphasized that internationalizing higher education is a strategic priority for Turkey. Through programs such as the Turkish Scholarships, Turkey seeks to attract thousands of international students annually, contributing to strengthening its soft power and building cultural and diplomatic bridges with various countries around the world.

In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Reza Oglu pointed out that attracting international students has multiple benefits, including supporting the local economy through students' spending on education and living expenses, and revitalizing the service sector. These students also play a future role as a bridge connecting Turkey to their countries of origin, becoming cultural ambassadors who strengthen bilateral relations, he said.

The researcher emphasized the importance of developing higher education policies to include internationalizing curricula and establishing international university branches, with a focus on connecting graduates of scholarship programs with vital sectors such as advanced technology, thus promoting sustainable development and keeping pace with the needs of the local market.

He concluded by saying, "Turkey sees international education as a strategic tool for achieving its development goals and strengthening its position on the global stage." 

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