Sierra Leone Deputy Head of Mission to Türkiye Participates in Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education YOK

Ankara, Türkiye, 3rd September 2024 – Sierra Leone Deputy Head of Mission to Türkiye, Ambassador Paul A.S Minah has participated in the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Council of Higher Education in Türkiye, and the African Union of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The event which anchors on cooperation in the field of Higher Education, took place at the Council office at Erol Ozvar in Ankara Turkiye. Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation from the Pan African University, H.E Professor Mohammed Belhoncine expressed honor to be at the ceremony, stating that the three key areas of cooperation in the MoU would serve as an extension of the strong mutual relationship between the African Union and Türkiye thereby establishing a frame work for corporation in Education, Science and Research.

He further stated that the Pan African University was established by the African Union and it’s mandated by the African Union which has five institutes to increase science and research. This institution comprises three key areas aimed to increase access to higher education, strengthen academic cooperation and promote mutual understanding in various areas of interest especially for the African students.

The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps -ADC, in Türkiye, Ambassador Majok Guandong Thiep, who is also the Ambassador of the Republic South Sudan said the event would further enhance the corporation between Türkiye and the African Union countries, stating that the relationship between Türkiye and African countries is very much cordial for African students, where he said they share leaning similarities in history and cultures with the same historical link.

He further informed the gathering that Türkiye has provided over fifty thousand scholarships plus funds for African students studying in Turkish Universities. Therefore, the he noted that the signing of the Memorandum was in line with 2024 African Union theme: Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa.

On behalf of the Council, Prof. Dr Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education in his statement said that meeting between the African Ambassadors in Ankara and the Council acted accordingly after several consultations with the Diplomatic Missions, saying that the timing was very significant because he said Türkiye has been with the African Union for centuries.

Prof. Dr Erol Özvar further pointed out that the event would strengthen the relationship between Councils of higher education of Türkiye and the African Union Universities, adding that in 2024, Africa benefited thirty point seven Billion US Dollars(B30.7US$), which is above the 2023 African Aid.

 

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Sierra Leone Embassy Ankara, Türkiye

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