Bangladeshi professionals urge integrated engagement to boost fraternal ties with Türkiye

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – Bangladeshi professionals who have completed higher education in Turkish universities called for the integrated engagement of Bangladesh-Türkiye alumni to boost fraternal ties between the two Muslim nations.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, young professional Md. Al Shayokh, assistant professor and head of the Department of Information Technology (IT) at the University of Information Technology & Science (UITS) in the capital Dhaka, said he is working for better collaboration between the Turkish and Bangladeshi universities.

He said: “Language is a great barrier in bilateral relations in terms of business and other mutual engagements between Bangladesh and Türkiye. Optimum use of the Bangladesh-Türkiye alumni, who are now working in different professions in Bangladesh, can play a pivotal role to remove this barrier. The Turkish Embassy in Dhaka should take initiatives to bring all scattered alumni under one umbrella.”

Shayokh, who completed his B.Sc. in Electronics & Communication Engineering from the Turkish Yildiz Technical University during his stay in Türkiye from 2008 to 2013, feels that Bangladeshi people know very little about the business pattern of Türkiye due to the language barrier.

“Bangladeshi nationals, who have successfully completed their graduation from Türkiye are well aware of the Turkish language and culture. And they can help entrepreneurs from both nations before any colossal investment,” Shayokh said, emphasizing regular meet-ups among the alumni and arrangement of seminars, workshops, and symposiums.

According to the Turkish Presidency for Turks Abroad (YTB) official records, from 2012 till 2021 a total of 543 Bangladeshi students have completed their higher education from different universities in Türkiye while around 200 Bangladeshi students are currently studying in the country.

Underlining the Turkish policy to promote its products under the brand “Made in Türkiye,” he said Bangladesh can also promote “Made in Bangladesh.”

- Hospitality of Türkiye

About his experience in Türkiye, Shayokh said Turkish hospitality for foreigners is “marvelous”. "The best thing I always miss in my life is the fantastic hospitality I enjoyed during my stay in Turkiye."

“Turkish people know best how to accept other people with the utmost generosity and cordiality,” he said, adding that food culture and a variety of cuisine in Türkiye are part of his pleasant memories.

Referring to his own interests in Türkiye, he added that the historical monuments in Istanbul were inspirational for him and boosted his confidence in the Muslim heritage.

“Turkish glorious history of governing a great part of the world with justice amid uncountable barriers has huge lessons for any foreign student like me,” Shayokh noted, adding that he wanted to observe the world staying in a country having a multicultural hub like Istanbul that offers a rich legacy of Muslims.

Shayokh got a scholarship offered by the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) that was later named as Türkiye Burslari Scholarship, offered and funded by the government of Türkiye. “The quality education in Türkiye has helped me a lot to reach where I am.”

- Turkish language

Shayokh said: “I am already working for Türkiye. I am trying to popularize Turkish scholarships among our students. I have a dream to boost bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Türkiye through the promotion of tourism and language.”

Mentioning his contribution to some universities and other institutes in designing the Turkish language course, this young professional, who is also currently the language instructor at the Bangladesh Army, said that he has a plan to inform Bangladesh in detail about the Turkish education system.

“How collaboration between the Turkish universities and Bangladeshi universities can be strengthened is another future dream of mine.”

- Exchanging ideas

“I strongly believe that more than 50% of my professional career and my present position have flourished through my experiences in Türkiye,” said the IT specialist.

He added that Turkish people are very hard-working and determined in their profession. They bravely face any challenge and overcome it at any cost.

“I got my main lesson on how to cope with different and complicated situations in Türkiye,” Shayokh said, calling for the formation of a strong Bangladesh-Türkiye alumni association as soon as possible, as well as regular arrangements for exchanging ideas.