Turkey limits enrolment in French courses at university

By Selma Kasap

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey will not allow further enrolment in French departments devoid of students in Turkish universities, the country’s higher education body announced on Thursday.

According to the Council of Higher Education (YOK), higher education institutions that have no registered students in French Language and Literature, and French Language Teaching departments would not accept students until further notice.

The education body cited as reasons for the decision the difficulty for graduates to find employment and a lack of reciprocity.

According to the Council of Higher Education, French universities do not offer undergraduate-level courses in Turkish Language and Literature and do not have Turkology departments.

Council officials said 19 departments and programs in Turkey provide education in French Language and Literature, and French Language Teaching, but 16 have no registered students as of yet.

The departments that currently have students enrolled can continue to operate without disruption.