The Second Graduation Ceremony Was Held in Konya

International students studying at various universities in our country celebrated their graduation with excitement. Organized by YTB, the second of the 13th International Students Graduation Ceremony was held in Konya.

In Konya, the second program of this year's graduation ceremony is organized for international students studying at universities in our country within the scope of Türkiye Scholarship Program implemented under the coordination of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). International students from all over the world, who are excited to be graduated from the distinguished universities of our country, will return to their countries after the program and contribute to regional and global development in many fields from academia to art, from economy to literature, from technology to architecture.

The International Students Graduation Ceremony was held at Selcuk University Alparslan Cultural Center in Konya with the participation of Vahdettin Özkan, Konya Governor; Prof. Hüseyin Yılmaz, Selçuk University Rector; Abdullah Eren, YTB President as well as institution representatives, academicians and international students.

The International Graduates in Türkiye Are Our Volunteer Ambassadors

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, YTB President Abdullah Eren noted that the Türkiye Scholarships program is one of the programs that embody the strategic approach and mentality of the Republic of Türkiye. Referring to the graduates studying at the universities of our country as ambassadors of heart, Eren said, "The international graduates in Türkiye are our volunteer ambassadors. In this context, we launched the Turkish Alumni Program 6 years ago. We compiled the data of our 126 thousand graduates around the world in recent years. We have made this data accessible to our public institutions."

Türkiye Is Your Second Home

Eren referred to Türkiye as the second home of international students and noted that they will continue to work together for world justice. Adding that they will continue to contribute to the academic lives of Palestinian students with the Türkiye Scholarships program, Eren said, "We will continue to work together with you for a brighter, more prosperous and a fair world. This year, Universities of Gaza have been destroyed. So, there are no graduates in Gaza, However, as in the past, we will continue to contribute to the academic education of Palestinian students under the Turkey Scholarships Program.”

You Will Represent Türkiye in the Best Possible Way

Prof. Hüseyin Yılmaz, the rector of Selcuk University also delivered a speech at the program ceremony. Underlining the educational and research opportunities offered by Selçuk University, Yılmaz stated that these opportunities will increase even more in the new term, and said, "We are planning to increase the education and research opportunities offered by our university in the forthcoming term. You, international students, will represent Türkiye in the best possible way with the knowledge and skills you have acquired here. We know that you will make very valuable contributions to the development and growth of the Republic of Türkiye."

International Students Add Value to This City

Konya Governor Vahdettin Özkan, on the other hand, emphasized in his speech that Konya is a city where knowledge, wisdom, peace and love came together. Noting that international students added value to Konya, Özkan said, "The most important thing is human life, to increase human happiness and quality of life. We know that all people can live in peace and harmony. Some structures make it difficult for people to connect with their true nature. Konya is a city where knowledge, wisdom, peace and love came together. This city, which is based on wisdom, hosted scientists and scholars throughout history. The presence of international students creates added value for this city. Higher density of students and academia in a certain place improve the integrity of that place."

YTB Makes Great Contributions 

Selman Özboyacı, Konya Deputy, also participated in the 13^th ceremony. He gave a speech at the International Students Graduation Ceremony. He emphasized that international students will not only promote Türkiye but also Konya all over the world. Noting that YTB has made great contributions, Özboyacı said, "It is a great honor for us to host young people who came to our country to study within the scope of the Scholarships Program. With the paradigm shift in Turkish foreign policy, Türkiye has begun to mobilize its friends around the world. However, we can also challenge the false concepts related to the West now."

As a representative of the 2024 graduates, Maysoon A. A. Masoud from Palestine and Mohammed Omar Khalifah Alashibi from Libya delivered speeches at the program ceremony.

 Türkiye Has Become a Window of Hope

Palestinian Maysoon A. A. Masoud, who referred to Türkiye as a window of hope rather than a place of education for her, thanked YTB for the education opportunity it provided. Stating that the Turkish people are his second family, Masoud said, "I would also like to thank my family who have always been with me despite the difficult conditions in Gaza." She also noted that she experienced one of the most important moments of her life at the graduation ceremony, and added, "I am very happy to share this beautiful day with my friends from all over the world. I dedicate this speech to the children and young people of Gaza who were subjected to genocide, whose hopes and educational rights were stolen from them, and whose schools were destroyed."

I have studied with quality students from all over the world


In his speech, Libyan Mohammed Omar Khalifah Alashibi stated that he had the opportunity to meet with well-educated students from all over the world in Türkiye. Explaining that he overcame the longing for family and the language barrier at TÖMER, Alashibi said: "Coming to Türkiye was a big step for me. I overcame the difficulties I experienced due to longing for my family and the language barrier during the education process at TÖMER. I am grateful to YTB for giving me the opportunity to meet with cultured and well-educated students from all over the world."


The International Students Graduation Ceremony Konya program ended after a photo shot.