Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin met with undergraduate students from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan who participated in the "International Summer Education Activities from Türkiye to the Seven Continents" at the program organized at the Kazlıçeşme Cultural Center in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul.

 

Speaking here, Minister Tekin said, 'Dear students, first of all, I would like to welcome you all. As the Ministry of National Education, one of our main responsibilities is to establish the bonds between future generations and our cognates and friends living in the regions we define as the "geography of the heart" with Türkiye, and to strengthen and maintain these existing ties.

 

In this context, Minister Tekin highlighted the importance of the Century of Türkiye Education Model and stated, 'We have endeavored to incorporate achievements that will ensure this unity into our curriculum under the title of our "geography of the heart." Minister Tekin also drew attention to the definition of "geography of the heart" as the states, primarily the independent Turkic republics in Central Asia, and the citizens, youth, and children living in those states.

 

Reiterating the emphasis on the shared consciousness between Türkiye and the geography of the heart, Minister Tekin addressed the ongoing persecution of the Palestinian people by Israel and stated, 'As the Ministry, we strive for peace, friendship, respect for the rule of law, and sovereignty to prevail in the world. The event we organized, which involved student meetings from seven continents, should be understood in this context. I would like to thank everyone involved.

 

With the event, the aim is to ensure that students gain environmental and cultural awareness by becoming acquainted with Türkiye and the Turkic world, develop sensitivity and historical awareness about our geography of the heart, and recognize and preserve cultural values that constitute our common heritage.

 

Within the scope of the project, a five-week summer educational activity has been organized in Istanbul. Lesson programs were prepared for both cultural trips and learning Turkish, English, and Arabic. During the conference hours, experts in their fields will meet with the students.

 

The program was also attended by Deputy Minister Nazif Yılmaz and Director General for Religious Education Ahmet İşleyen.