Turkey’s portable museum gets huge response in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA (AA) - The "Portable Mathematics Museum" set up by Turkey’s Yunus Emre Institute gained huge attention from students in northern Ethiopia.

The portable museum, aimed at increasing awareness of mathematics and science, was set up as part of 9th All Africa University Games 2018, which is underway in Mekelle University.

The five-day games began on July 2 with participation of 18 African countries. Thousands of university students participated in different activities, competitions and exhibitions in science, sports and arts.

The museum is established within the scope of Yunus Emre Institute’s Turkish Academic and Scientific Cooperation Project.

Ozgur Can Yildiz, an official at the museum, told Anadolu Agency that the museum was built yesterday and it has been visited by hundreds of students with a great interest.

Prof. Hiwot Kindeya, rector of Mekelle University, also visited the museum. "This is definitely the most interesting stand at the event," she noted.

- Traveling to other parts of Ethiopia

Dr. Macit Koc, advisor to the rector of Mekelle University and coordinator of the project in Ethiopia, said: "We are very pleased with the response we get. After the African University Games, our museum will be traveling to different cities of Ethiopia to meet with students from various regions."

Koc said that the portable museum will be donated to one of the universities in Ethiopia.

TABIP is initiated by the Turkish presidency to let youth in poor countries experiment with new ideas and young scientists connect with each other.

In February and March, the portable mathematics museum was visited by 45 thousand Syrian children aging 6-18 years, who are living at temporary shelter and protection centers in Turkey.

The portable museum went to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary after its tour in Turkey.