In line with the Embassy’s mission to promote cultural and educational diplomacy between Sri Lanka and Turkey and to explore opportunities in the higher education sector, Ambassador M. Rizvi Hassen met the Rector of Selcuk University, Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy and Necmettin Erbakan University, Prof. Dr. Cem Zorlu in Konya on 17th July 2020.

During the meeting the Ambassador discussed ways and means to establish cooperation between Sri Lankan Universities, University Grant Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education with the two universities for exchange of students and academics and also to organize a programme for joint research. The Rectors of the two (02) universities indicated that both universities conduct bachelors and master’s degree courses in English language particularly international relations, management and accountancy and some political science courses.

The Necmettin Erbakan University and Selcuk University in Konya are listed in the International Handbook of Universities published by the International Association of Universities, the website recognized by the University Grant Commission. Konya ranked high among the graduate student community due to its location and low cost of living. There are 150,000 local and international students studying in universities in Konya.

As there are some Sri Lankan students studying at the International Mevlana Anadolu Imam Hatip High School the Ambassador paid a visit to the school and met Principal/ School Manager of the school, Mr. Mevlüt Ozdemir.  During the visit the Ambassador met students studying at the universities and International Mevlana Anadolu Imam Hatip high school as well.

Ms. Yoshitha Jayasuriya, Counsellor (Commercial) and Ms. Gajithra Navan, Second Secretary of the Mission joined with the Ambassador for the meetings.