Belarus and Turkey are interested in establishing and developing direct contacts between universities and research organisations. This was discussed at a meeting held by the Minister of Education of Belarus, Igor Karpienko, with the Council of Higher Education of Turkey, the Belta news agency was informed by the press centre of the Ministry of Education.
During the meeting, particular attention was paid to enabling students and specialists from Belarus and Turkey to participate in events aimed at showcasing the educational, scientific, technical, and innovative potential of both countries. "One of the priority areas of Belarusian-Turkish cooperation is the establishment and development of direct ties between higher education institutions and research organisations," the press centre noted.
Igor Karpienko was in Turkey as part of the Belarusian delegation. In addition to negotiations with the Council, which oversees the activities of all state and private educational institutions in the country, as well as international cooperation issues, he met with the Turkish Minister of National Education, Ziya Selçuk. The legal framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of education was discussed.
The ministry outlined the essence of the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in education, which was signed during the official visit of President Alexander Lukashenko to Turkey. The agreement provides for the establishment and development of bilateral ties between educational institutions of both states, the exchange of experience in the field of education system development, and the use of new technologies. Belarus and Turkey also intend to exchange students and faculty, university researchers, and provide places for higher and postgraduate education in educational institutions. The parties plan to inform each other about the mutual recognition of documents on training, education, and academic degrees. The agreement creates the necessary legal basis for expanding and deepening contacts between the countries across the entire spectrum of educational activities, and for attracting Turkish citizens to study in Belarus.