Türkiye Strengthens its Global Influence through Education Diplomacy

The Ministry of National Education (MoNE) of Türkiye is currently implementing 350 educational agreements with 125 countries, reinforcing the country’s soft power in the international arena through comprehensive education diplomacy initiatives.

 Led by MoNE, Türkiye’s education diplomacy strengthens the country’s cultural partnerships and fosters lasting connections across the world. To establish educational relations within a legal framework, the Ministry has signed a total of 350 agreements with 125 countries to date. Within this scope, cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding in the field of education have been implemented across a wide geographical area, ranging from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to Qatar, from Greece to Libya, and from the Republic of the Congo to Mongolia.     New Agreements and Strategic Partnerships Over the past two years, Türkiye’s global education network has been expanded by signing 16 new agreements with 14 countries. A protocol covering teacher training, professional development and special education has been signed with Syria. Türkiye and Moldova have launched a cooperation initiative for the establishment of the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Türkiye–Moldova College. Strategicagreements have also been concluded with countries such as Ukraine, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in various fields ranging from higher education to vocational training. As part of the talks held with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, new Turkish schools are set to be opened.   65 Turkish Schools in 13 Countries As of June 2025, Türkiye has 65 educational institutions operating in 13 countries abroad. More than 12,000 students are enrolled in these institutions, where 679 teachers are employed. Among the new schools to be opened, the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Türkiye-Moldova College and the Karabakh Turkish School stand out. These institutions not only strengthen Türkiye’s educational footprint but also play a strategic role in cultural diplomacy.   Strengthening Cultural Ties through the “Sister School” Program Since its launch in 1994, the Sister School Program has paired Turkish schools with partner schools in 64 countries. To date, 1,229 partnerships have been established, 712 of which are with schools abroad. The initiative continues to strengthen cultural interaction and mutual understanding.   Foreign Students and Cultural Integration Programs MoNE continues to promote inclusive education through adaptation classes designed for foreign students, the PIKTES+ Project, and Turkish Language and Culture courses. During the 2024–2025 academic year, 2,174 students in eight countries received Turkish language and culture education, with plans to expand the program to 11 countries in the coming period.     Expanding Influence through International Projects The Directorate General for Lifelong Learning leads adult education, social integration, and employment-oriented initiatives through projects conducted with EU and UN agencies. Projects carried out under Erasmus+, EPALE, UNICEF, UNDP, and UNHCR partnerships enhance Türkiye’s capacity and visibility in education diplomacy.   “Education Diplomacy”: A Key Component of Türkiye’s Global Vision The projects and agreements carried out by the Ministry of National Education demonstrate that Türkiye has evolved into a global actor in education, not merely a regional one. Ministry officials stated that, in the coming period, they aim to further strengthen and institutionalise Türkiye’s education diplomacy through new agreements and to promote inclusive education models in the international arena.   Edinburgh Education Attaché Office’s Role and Importance in Educational Diplomacy Across Its Jurisdiction The Edinburgh Education Attaché Office operates under a jurisdiction that covers eight regions in total: Scotland, Northern Ireland, the entire North East Region of England, as well as the Cumbria and Lancashire parts of the North West Region and the North Yorkshire parts of the Yorks/Humber Region. As Education Attaché Office, five teachers currently teach a total of 224 students, providing 68 hours of lessons per week for the 8 regions. These courses are conducted in-person in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dumfries, Newcastle, and as a new course regions Dundee and Kirkcaldy. Also these courses are conducted by online for the rest of the regions. Recently, Turkish language courses for adults have been launched, and preparations are underway to expand further language learning opportunities for the classes. As part of these efforts we are working in cooperation with 4 local associations. The Attaché Office is responsible for overseeing all official procedures and tuition payments for approximately 250 government-sponsored students within its jurisdiction. It also manages the recognition, military deferment, and equivalency procedures for self-funded students. In addition, the office supervises all administrative operations and course activities for the teachers and lecturer assigned by the Ministry of National Education to deliver Turkish Language and Turkish Culture courses. Furthermore, the Attaché Office has established discount agreements (MoU) with universities within its jurisdiction to promote educational cooperation. In line with these efforts, contact has been made with various universities and institutions to expand collaboration and negotiate new discount agreements. Through these initiatives, the Edinburgh Education Attaché Office leverages its extensive region as a platform for Turkish education diplomacy, strengthening academic, cultural, and institutional relations across its jurisdiction. As a result of this education diplomacy activities we have reached 11 MoU within the universities.