MUSCAT, OCT 25
The Turkish Maarif Foundation, which recently explored strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Education through Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), is set to play a significant role in supporting Omani students, particularly in learning the Turkish language, according to the Embassy of Türkiye in Oman.
The Turkish Maarif Foundation is a non-profit public educational body serving as Türkiye’s international educational arm. Its mission is to enhance cultural and civilisational exchange, promote mutual understanding, and contribute to shared global progress through education.
“Turkish students constitute the largest group among Sultan Qaboos University’s international student body,” said Dr Majda bint Hamood al Saltiyah, Head of the Department of Tourism, College of Arts and Social Sciences at SQU. She noted the growing popularity of the Turkish language programme offered by her department, reflecting students’ increasing interest in Türkiye’s culture and academic opportunities.
A delegation from the Turkish Maarif Foundation, led by Ahmet Türkben, Member of the Executive Board, recently visited SQU to discuss avenues for cooperation. The talks explored the potential for academic exchange, scholarships and collaboration in educational expertise.
Mahmood bin Abdullah al Kindi, Director of the Office of International Cooperation at SQU, highlighted the importance of the recently launched “Afaaq” programme, which allows international students to pursue their studies at the university.
“The visit was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen educational collaboration between Sultan Qaboos University and the Turkish Maarif Foundation,” said Mehmet Hakimoğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Oman. He noted that the Foundation, established under a 2016 law passed by the Turkish Parliament, is the sole entity authorised to operate educational institutions abroad in coordination with Türkiye’s Ministry of National Education.
As a non-profit educational organisation, the Foundation manages a wide network of schools and universities — from preschool to higher education — and maintains partnerships in over 100 countries, including the Sultanate of Oman.
Ambassador Hakimoğlu also shared updates on the proposed Turkish School in Muscat, a project that gained momentum following the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the Republic of Türkiye last November.
“Plans are progressing steadily for the establishment of the Turkish School in Muscat on land allocated by the government in Sultan Haitham City,” he said. “The school will feature world-class facilities and will stand among leading international educational institutions.”
The initiative reflects the deepening educational and cultural cooperation between Oman and Türkiye, building bridges of learning and understanding for future generations.
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