Closing Ceremony of the 3rd YTB International Student Academy in Isparta

Today in Isparta, the closing ceremony of the "YTB International Student Academy" was held with great splendor. This program, conducted under the supervision of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and hosted by Süleyman Demirel University (SDU), has now reached its third year of successful activity in this city [1]. The academy is designed to enhance the academic, professional, and cultural levels of foreign students studying at Isparta's universities and has become an important bridge in Turkey's educational diplomacy.

Closing Ceremony and Three-Year Achievements At the ceremony held in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences hall, senior academic officials including Professor Doctor Mehmet Saltan, Rector of Süleyman Demirel University, and Professor Doctor Yılmaz Çatal, Rector of Isparta University of Applied Sciences (ISUBÜ), were present. Associate Professor Doctor Mehmet Yurtsun, the project coordinator, noted in his opening speech that the academy has functioned as more than just a simple educational program over the past three years [1]. He emphasized that YTB is not merely a scholarship-providing institution but contributes significantly to the social integration and professional progress of students through such courses.

Cultural Diversity and International Participation One of the strengths of the 2026 term was the active participation of students from 22 different countries. According to official reports, students from Indonesia, Syria, Yemen, Kazakhstan, and Iran participated in this term [3]. This cultural diversity was evident not only in the classrooms but also in the academy's extracurricular activities, including cultural trips and art workshops. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, the academy has strived to prepare students for professional life after graduation [2].

Final Lecture: National Technology Move A special part of today's ceremony was the final lesson delivered by Professor Doctor Yılmaz Çatal on the topic of the "National Technology Move" (Millî Teknoloji Hamlesi). In this speech, he explained the position of new technologies in Turkey's future and the role of international students as scientific ambassadors in their own countries [1]. This approach reflects Turkey's new strategy in sharing technical knowledge with foreign students.

Future Outlook and Importance of Certificates At the end of the ceremony, prestigious certificates were awarded to students who successfully completed the training courses. These documents carry significant weight in the academic and professional resumes of international students and assist them in the global labor market [2]. YTB and Isparta university officials expressed hope that in the coming years, the academy's capacity will increase and cover more specialized fields so that Isparta remains one of the main hubs for attracting foreign students in Turkey [4].