Relations between Istanbul and Ekaterinburg in the field of education will be expanded

15:10, December 17, 2014

The Turkish delegation and UrFU Rector agreed to make every effort in order to expand relations with Okan University

The delegation from the University of Okan (Istanbul, Turkey) visited Ural Federal University. One of the organizers of the meeting was the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Turkey in Ekaterinburg, Sergei Trofimov.

The Rector of Ural Federal University, Victor Koksharov told the participants of the delegation headed by Bekir Okan, the founder of the Turkish University, about the possibilities of the largest federal university in Russia and presented data on the number of foreign students. This academic year Ural Federal University has about 1 200 students from 51 countries. By 2020 it is planned to raise this number to 5 000.

"Now we have 15 students from Turkey. This does not correspond with the potential of our university and such a country as the Republic of Turkey. We would like the number of students from Turkey to grow," - said Victor Koksharov in his welcoming speech.

Okan University had been founded 15 years ago as a private university. There are 15 faculties, higher schools and institutes. The number of enrolled students is 18 000, and the number of faculty members and administrative staff is 1 000 people. The Department of translation and of the Russian language, which is part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, currently has about 100 students. Russian Culture Center in Istanbul is also organized on the base of the Okan University. The university conducts scientific and cultural activities, aimed at the development of Turkish-Russian relations.

"The recent visit of Vladimir Putin to Turkey and his meeting with the President Recep Erdogan has shown that our countries have great potential for cooperation in all areas, and we believe that we must also comply with this in the field of education, - said Bekir Okan, the founder of Okan University.

Victor Koksharov expressed willingness to consider any cooperation proposals from the Turkish delegation. Both leaders agreed that the currently existing relations should be expanded, that it is necessary to sign a cooperation agreement and organize the exchange of students. Now the only task is to develop the technical aspects of the agreement.