In September, SQU welcomed a delegation from the Turkish Maarif Foundation, reinforcing the growing educational and cultural ties between Oman and Türkiye. As part of the visit, we held a dialogue with Professor Ahmet Türkben, a distinguished educator and Board of Trustees member of the Foundation. Professor Türkben brings extensive experience in curriculum development, educational management, and teacher training, and is the author of several books and numerous essays on education, Turkish culture, and faith. During the dialogue, he shared his insights on the Foundation’s vision, ongoing projects, and future collaboration with SQU.

1. Could you share your perspective on the significance of the visit to Sultan Qaboos University and how it fits within the Turkish Maarif Foundation’s international mission?

First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your warm hospitality. Turkish Maarif Foundation launched its activities in Oman in 2019, when Turkish was introduced as an elective course at the university. Considering Oman’s historical and regional importance, we have made several visits over the years to explore opportunities for cooperation in the field of education. For us, education is not merely the transmission of knowledge; it is about raising virtuous individuals and building relationships of trust between societies. This visit reflects that very understanding.

In this regard, I would also like to take this opportunity to share some up-to-date information about our Foundation’s activities worldwide. Established by a law enacted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in 2016, Turkish Maarif Foundation is a non-profit public-benefit organisation. Since its establishment, our Foundation has been authorised to open schools and conduct educational activities abroad through agreements signed with the official authorities of host countries. Today, the Foundation provides education to more than 70,000 students through nearly 600 educational institutions across 64 countries on six continents. In addition to providing education, learning and education are further supported through publications regarded as an integral part of education, as well as through symposia, conferences, and workshops. The Foundation also engages in cooperation with various institutions and organisations active in the field of education.

2. What are the key areas of cooperation you envision between the Foundation and the University in the near future?

Meeting with one of Oman’s most reputable higher education institutions has allowed us to explore opportunities for cooperation at both the student and academic levels, to establish direct contacts for joint projects, and to share our mutual experiences. We also believe that this engagement will contribute to further deepening the longstanding friendly relations between Türkiye and Oman in the field of education.

We have observed that Turkish, offered as an elective course at Sultan Qaboos University, has attracted strong interest from students across all departments. Responding to this enthusiasm among both young people and the wider society, the number of classes and student quotas has increased since the very first semester. The growing demand for learning Turkish and the expansion of Turkish language education is a fact evident not only in Oman but also globally, one that calls for active engagement. In addition to this growing interest, in the coming period we attach importance not only to being present in Oman for language teaching, but also to jointly organising conferences, symposia, and publication activities that support education. We value and support Sultan Qaboos University’s ongoing collaborations with universities in Türkiye, and we encourage the development of joint programmes and student exchanges to strengthen intercultural dialogue. Furthermore, we are evaluating the creation of new scholarship opportunities on behalf of our Foundation and taking steps in this direction. Through these visits, we aim to create new opportunities for students in Türkiye who wish to study at Sultan Qaboos University, and likewise to build networks that can connect young people in Oman with higher education opportunities in Türkiye.

On the other hand, establishing a Maarif School in Oman to provide high-standard K-12 education is also among the Foundation’s projections. In this way, beyond being a preferred choice for learning Turkish in higher education, we will also have the opportunity to realise our mission of raising virtuous individuals starting from basic education in these lands. These initiatives will be pursued in close cooperation with the host country’s authorities and will contribute to passing on the bonds of brotherhood and friendship between the two countries to future generations.

3. The Turkish School project in Oman was highlighted during the visit. Could you elaborate on the Foundation’s vision and objectives for this initiative?

Our Foundation provides education in accordance with either the national curriculum of the respective country or international curricula, depending on needs and expectations of each country where it operates. Our schools are private institutions that offer inclusive educational opportunities open to people from all walks of life, primarily to citizens of the host country as well as the international community.

As we are present on six continents with our motto “Adding Value to Education,” we also plan to establish an International Maarif School in Sultan Haitham City, which will be established in line with Oman Vision 2040, to provide education at the K–12 level. With the valuable support of the Omani authorities, the planned school in this city is envisioned to offer social sciences courses in Arabic, science and mathematics courses in English, while Turkish will be taught as a foreign language. We aim to present this trilingual educational opportunity as an inclusive educational service that also embraces Oman’s cultural and local values.

Our Foundation attaches particular importance to both the physical conditions of educational institutions and the quality of the human resources that serve as their backbone, recognising that these elements are the core components determining the quality of education. With this awareness, in the education model we aim to offer, we will strive, in line with the future visions of our countries, to raise virtuous and principled individuals and generations who are beneficial to their country and to humanity and who possess conscience and a strong sense of responsibility. The standards of the Maarif Foundation have enabled us to become an institution that today provides quality education in 64 countries around the world and is capable of developing its own accreditation system. As we mark our ninth year, we are pleased to announce that our International Maarif Programme, which has already implemented at the pre-school level in several countries, is being further developed to be applied at other educational stages as well. With this system, which will gradually be implemented at all levels in the coming period, we will, together with our Maarif human resources, educational institutions, and students, become one of the world’s leading and distinguished educational institutions with an internationally recognised accreditation programme. We attach great importance to Oman, which holds a prominent place in its region and for the countries with which it maintains relations, hosting one of our Maarif schools that meet these high standards of quality and excellence, joining our wider Maarif family, and adding value to Türkiye’s Maarif brand. We regard this as an opportunity to further strengthen our bilateral ties through education and to contribute to nurturing the good people that humanity and our world need in every era and circumstance.

4. How does the Foundation plan to support academic and cultural exchange programmes between Turkish and Omani students?

Through our intercontinental network of schools, as well as the academic engagements we maintain with universities and educational centres, we continuously transfer the experience gained in international K–12 education and Turkish language teaching to the field, while consistently improving our curriculum and educational methods with fresh feedback. Moreover, the Foundation’s broad institutional presence across diverse geographies enriches our pool of experienced human resources through varied contexts and collaborations, thereby supporting the long-term sustainability of our programmes at the international level.

Through the Alumni network established for graduates of our schools, our students, even after graduation, continue to support one another as members of the Maarif community, both in their own countries and in Türkiye, while engaging with relevant institutions and organisations. They continue to feel the strength of unity and belonging wherever they are. In addition to our Alumni, our teachers, administrators, and current students also have the opportunity to interact with other members of the Maarif family through competitions, scholarship programmes, vocational training initiatives, and similar activities. In the forthcoming period, we are also evaluating the potential for inter-school student exchange programmes. As a rapidly growing institution that has taken firm root in a short time, we have begun to reap the fruits of our global network from every geography where we operate. This progress represents a significant achievement not only for our institution but also for international relations. The sincere bonds established with goodwill serve to strengthen fraternity and mutual understanding among societies. Through the opportunities and gateways offered by education, we are building the genuine channels of communication that humanity truly needs.

5. In your view, what are the benefits of offering Turkish language programmes and academic expertise to Sultan Qaboos University and its students?

Our Foundation conducts educational activities across the world, from Africa to Europe, and from Asia to the Americas. Although geographical conditions differ, all our institutions are guided by certain standards and a shared educational philosophy. With this approach, we aim to establish a common ground of values and communication across different languages. The mission of our Foundation is to contribute to the cultivation of well-qualified human resources in each country and to promote the principles of trust, cooperation, transparency, merit, and inclusiveness in education. Our primary goal is to raise good individuals who will use their knowledge and wisdom for the peace and well-being of humanity. All our efforts are shaped by this vision and mission.

The teaching of Turkish within the university holds significant potential for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as for candidates from various professional fields. Through assessment and evaluation based on our standards, the student’s proficiency becomes visible within the language programmes provided at the university. In addition, we integrate Turkish, rising as a global language of communication in harmony with international trends, into campus life.

The sphere of communication in Turkish extends from academia to commerce and from daily life to the humanities and social sciences, offering wide possibilities for use and contributing to learners at every stage of life. Through language education, Turkish not only provides direct academic contribution to the university and tangible competence to the student but also builds a lasting cultural and educational bridge in Türkiye and Oman, opening the door to new and practical exchange and project pathways.

The geography of Turkish-speaking regions has, from history to the present day, continued to cover a vast area. When viewed through the lens of history, sociology, the humanities, social sciences, and literature, the broader the sphere of Turkish usage becomes, the more communication channels expand, through the rise of industry and economy nourished by new geographies, and through the transformation of human resources in technical fields. Language, as a means of communication in every sense, both increases learning opportunities and, once learned, enriches the ways of understanding and being understood, opening countless new doors for the learner.

6. Looking ahead, how do you see the partnership between the Turkish Maarif Foundation and Sultan Qaboos University contributing to broader educational and cultural ties between Turkey and Oman?

Relations between Türkiye and Oman are built upon a deep-rooted history that stretches back centuries. Oman holds a strong position in its region with its stability and historical heritage. Today, there are significant opportunities to revive these deep bonds and to further enhance cooperation across various fields. The close collaboration established in the fields of education and culture further strengthens the relations between our two countries, and we take great satisfaction in being part of this process. We believe that our joint efforts will reinforce mutual understanding and friendship, building lasting bridges for future generations.

As in other regions, our intention in Oman is not only to provide language education but also to be present with our vision of offering quality education at every level up to the university. The teaching of Turkish as an elective course at Sultan Qaboos University should be seen not merely as a language instruction activity, but as a multifaceted initiative that enables students to develop academic expertise, broaden their cultural horizons, and elevate Türkiye–Oman relations to a new dimension. Students who learn Turkish gain access to opportunities such as participating in exchange and scholarship programmes with universities in Türkiye, engaging in joint research, and attending summer schools. At the same time, they acquire a deeper understanding of Turkish literature, history, and culture by studying them through authentic sources. At this point, it is essential to draw closer attention to the place of the Turkish language within its cultural context.

Today, not only in Türkiye but also across the geographies of Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and the Middle East, millions of people speak Turkish and its dialects. When viewed within this broad linguistic family, Turkish ranks among the most widely spoken languages in the world and continues to rise as a language of communication on an international scale. This fact shows that the knowledge of Turkish to be gained by the students of Sultan Qaboos University will be a valuable asset not only within the region but also globally.

Language is a living culture; it is a living bond that people forge with one another. From this perspective, responding appropriately to the interest in Turkish has become an inevitable duty for those of us responsible for educational activities abroad.

Collaborations established in the field of language in Oman and in similar geographies offer valuable opportunities for develop and diversify communication. For an Omani student, learning Turkish means not only forming a connection with Türkiye but also being able to communicate with the entire Turkic world and access academic and cultural opportunities in different countries. In this respect, Turkish opens new horizons for students across a wide geography extending from Central Asia to the Balkans.

With the awareness that thought and meaning develop through language, the teaching of Turkish has become a symbol of the cultural, spiritual, and civilisational common ground between Oman and Türkiye. This process deepens the bonds of understanding and friendship between the two countries.

Looking ahead, our goal is not only to continue the teaching of Turkish but also to establish a lasting presence in Oman at every level of education under the assurance of our Maarif brand. We regard the Maarif Schools planned to be opened in Oman as a strategic step that will broaden horizons for both our institution and Omani students. This initiative will stand as a strong reflection of our shared vision and the growing cooperation. We sincerely believe that our efforts to engage with Omani society will contribute to shaping a shared vision for the future, broaden the mutual understandings between our two countries, and build lasting bridges, both between the competent authorities and among younger generations.