Statement from YÖK: Ankara Declaration adopted at the 13th TDT Summit!

In the statement made by YÖK, the evaluations regarding the Ankara Declaration adopted at the end of the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkish States (TDT) and the views of YÖK President Özvar were included.

The declaration included important topics for the development of cooperation in the field of education and higher education in the Turkish world, and reminded that Türkiye's initiative to establish the Turkish World Higher Education Area was also included in the joint declaration of the heads of state.

In the statement, it was stated that the progress made in the fields of general education and higher education, vocational and technical education, academic mobility, digital transformation and innovation was appreciated, and it was emphasized that cooperation in these areas will contribute to the development of a Turkish world that is competitive, knowledge-based and focused on the future.

In the statement, it was stated that the ministers responsible for higher education and the relevant authorities of the member countries were encouraged to continue the consultations on the establishment of the Permanent Secretariat of the Turkish Universities Association (TÜRKÜNİB) and the creation of a special fund for the Orkhon Exchange Program. "Also, Azerbaijan's proposal regarding the establishment of the Turkish Universities Association was also noted in the declaration." statements were included.

"RESEARCH OF OPPORTUNITIES IS SUPPORTED"

In the Ankara Declaration, it was stated that improving academic mobility among TDT member countries and strengthening cooperation in the fields of digital transformation and innovation were among the prominent topics, and the following evaluations were included:

"In this context, the results of the 9th Education Ministers Meeting of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Turkestan, Kazakhstan on June 8, 2026, were welcomed. In the declaration, the Diaspora Joint Scholarship Programs of the Organization of Turkic States, implemented within the framework of the Turkey Scholarships Program, were also appreciated. It was stated that these programs contributed to the strengthening of the ties between the Turkish states and their diasporas."

Regarding the title of "strengthening cooperation in the field of vocational and technical education" in the declaration, the statement said: "In this context, the development of joint education and training programs including employers, increasing applied training opportunities and researching opportunities for the creation of internship programs were supported." evaluation was included.

"A STRONG COOPERATION GROUND WILL BE CREATED BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES"

YÖK President Prof. Dr. In his statement on the subject, Erol Özvar noted that he considered the inclusion of Türkiye's initiative to establish the Turkish World Higher Education Area in the Ankara Declaration as an important development in terms of developing higher education cooperation between Turkish states.

Stating that Türkiye aims to further its relations with the Turkish world through strong collaborations in the fields of education, science and technology, Özvar stated that the Turkish World Higher Education Area is an important part of this common approach.

Prof. Dr. Özvar said, "We aim to create a common higher education area in the Turkish world. This area will create a strong cooperation ground where student and academician mobility between our universities is facilitated, joint and double degree programs are expanded, and diplomas and academic qualifications are mutually recognized." made his assessment.

Pointing out that it is also important to encourage the establishment of the TURKUNIB Permanent Secretariat and the establishment of a special fund for the Orhun Exchange Program in the Ankara Declaration, Özvar stated that these mechanisms will contribute to the cooperation between universities achieving a stronger and more sustainable institutional structure.

Özvar noted that supporting joint scientific research, sharing research infrastructures and academic knowledge among universities, supporting young researchers and developing joint academic programs are among the goals, and said, "Strong collaborations to be established between higher education institutions of Turkish states will increase the scientific production capacity, international competitiveness and visibility of the Turkish world on a global scale." he said.

YÖK President Özvar noted that they will continue their efforts to transform the common will put forward in the Ankara Declaration into concrete projects and permanent institutional mechanisms.