Turkey promotes scholarship program in Bulgaria

By Ihvan Radoykov

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) – The Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) agency promoted Turkey’s scholarships program for international students on Thursday in the Bulgarian capital.

Speaking at an event held in Turkey’s embassy in Sofia, YTB Chairman Abdullah Eren said: “We want our Bulgarian brothers and sisters to hear about scholarship opportunities in Turkey.”

“We don’t only give scholarship opportunities to Turks in Bulgaria, but to all Bulgarian nationals -- as long as they meet our academic criteria,” Eren told Anadolu Agency.

At the event, Mustafa Haci Alis, head mufti of Bulgaria’s Muslim community, noted that he had received his education in Jordan, Bulgaria and Turkey.

He went on to praise Turkish education for what he described as its “nurturing characteristics”.

Vanya Kastreva, regional director for Sofia at Bulgaria’s Education Ministry, hailed the event, saying: “I believe our relations with our neighbor Turkey are strengthened by these opportunities.”

Ivana Yurgova, a Bulgarian student who recently finished her education in Turkey, said: “Turkey has given me experience to live abroad. I didn’t speak Turkish when I first began my education, which ended up being a very rewarding experience.”

Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria Hasan Ulusoy, for his part, who hosted the event, lauded the scholarship program, noting that, since 2012, 300 Bulgarian students had received an education in Turkey.

“Students will have a better understanding by speaking the same language and living in the same culture,” Ulusoy told Anadolu Agency. “This is a great opportunity to strengthen ties with our neighbors.”

Established in 2010, the YTB is responsible for coordinating the activities of Turks living abroad and developing relations through economic, social and cultural activities.