Turkey promotes scholarship program in Bulgaria

By Ihvan Radoykov </p> <p>SOFIA, Bulgaria (AA) – The Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) agency promoted Turkey’s scholarships program for international students on Thursday in the Bulgarian capital. </p> <p>Speaking at an event held in Turkey’s embassy in Sofia, YTB Chairman Abdullah Eren said: “We want our Bulgarian brothers and sisters to hear about scholarship opportunities in Turkey.” </p> <p>“We don’t only give scholarship opportunities to Turks in Bulgaria, but to all Bulgarian nationals — as long as they meet our academic criteria,” Eren told Anadolu Agency. </p> <p>At the event, Mustafa Haci Alis, head mufti of Bulgaria’s Muslim community, noted that he had received his education in Jordan, Bulgaria and Turkey.</p> <p>He went on to praise Turkish education for what he described as its “nurturing characteristics”. </p> <p>Vanya Kastreva, regional director for Sofia at Bulgaria’s Education Ministry, hailed the event, saying: “I believe our relations with our neighbor Turkey are strengthened by these opportunities.” </p> <p>Ivana Yurgova, a Bulgarian student who recently finished her education in Turkey, said: “Turkey has given me experience to live abroad. I didn’t speak Turkish when I first began my education, which ended up being a very rewarding experience.”</p> <p>Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria Hasan Ulusoy, for his part, who hosted the event, lauded the scholarship program, noting that, since 2012, 300 Bulgarian students had received an education in Turkey. </p> <p>“Students will have a better understanding by speaking the same language and living in the same culture,” Ulusoy told Anadolu Agency. “This is a great opportunity to strengthen ties with our neighbors.” </p> <p>Established in 2010, the YTB is responsible for coordinating the activities of Turks living abroad and developing relations through economic, social and cultural activities.

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