Ethiopian students applying for Turkish scholarship aim high

By Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) – A group of young Ethiopian men and women were glued to examination papers at the quiet office of Turkey's state-run aid agency (TIKA) in Addis Ababa.

As the Turkish invigilators who were overseeing the examination concluded the test time, Abdikani Farah, who aspires to open an Islamic bank after completing his education in Turkey, smiled as he exited the room.

They are vying for the 2021 Turkiye Scholarships, a government-funded, international competitive scholarship program. Candidates, as in the past, are required to sit for examinations and interviews, which have been ongoing throughout the week.

Those who pass the tests will receive a full scholarship and will be able to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees at some of Turkey's top universities.

In 2021, 56.200 students from 54 African countries have applied for scholarships, including 2,000 Ethiopians.

- Aiming high

Farha, a lecturer and academic advisor at Kebri Dehar University in Somali Regional State, around 993 km (616 miles) east of Abbis Ababa, told Anadolu Agency that he is confident of receiving the scholarship, which he believes will be a watershed moment in his academic career and ambitions.

“I am going to Turkey for my third degree majoring in Islamic economics and finance, which is not available in the country (Ethiopia),” he said, adding that even though Islamic banks have been launched, there is a critical manpower shortage.

“I will be one of the individuals that can fix the gap and this will be very critical for my country, and Turkey is one of the countries that makes this dream true.”

"The sky is the limit for me," Farha, 27, said as he exited TIKA's premises. "When I return home, I can even launch a new Islamic bank," he added.

Fakruddin Abdulhady, 19, wants to bring computer engineering to Ethiopia from Turkey, which he describes as a "world renown in the technological sector."

"There is room for progress, not just for myself, but also for the growth of my country," he said.

Niya Abdulfetah, 19, hopes to win the scholarship and pursue a psychology undergraduate degree.

“Our culture and religion are similar and I feel safe to learn in Turkey,” she added.

- Future leaders

According to the scholarship body, the programs "aims to build a network of future leaders committed to strengthening cooperation among countries and mutual understanding among societies."

Around 180 Ethiopian students have graduated from Turkish universities to date, with a total of 3,455 African graduates.

Turkish scholarship maintains an alumni network of around 150,000 members from more than 169 countries, and this year began alumni awards, according to the institution of the scholarship.

Fennan Mohammed, an Ethiopian, was one of four former graduates to receive an alumni award for economy and entrepreneurship.