On Friday, 24 November, the Jagiellonian University was visited by the Ambassador of Republic of Türkiye to Poland Rauf Alp Denktaş together with the embassy’s councillor for education Mehmetali Akdağ. The Turkish diplomats were received in Collegium Novum by JU Rector Prof. Jacek Popiel.
During the meeting, Prof. Jacek Popiel raised the issue of the relationship between the Jagiellonian University and the Turkish academic community, mentioning the joint project carried out by both parties. He also pointed to the unique role of the Chair in Turkish Studies of the JU Faculty of Philology, which not only carries out research and teaching activities, but also plays vital role in strengthening the relationship between the University and Turkish students and researchers. This was particularly visible during a relief effort for the victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in February earlier this year, organised by the students of the JU Institute of Oriental Studies. Prof. Popiel also expressed his hope that the collaboration between the Jagiellonian University and its Turkish partners will be continually developed and intensified.
Rauf Alp Denktaş increasing the level of cooperation with the oldest Polish higher education institution and, broadly speaking, the entire Polish scientific community is amongst his highest priorities, and so he will visit the Jagiellonian University regularly in the future. He also added that there are currently about 3,000 Turkish students attending Polish universities and stated that he will take action to encourage Polish students to take advantage of the many opportunities created by Turkish scholarships and mobility programmes.
