Turkish soft diplomacy; How does Tika conquer the world with scholarships and education? – Mehr News Agency Iranian and world news

Mehr News Agency, International Group: The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (Tika), as the main arm of Türkiye’s development aid, has played a key role in expanding education and scholarships around the world. These programs not only help human development in developing countries, but also a powerful tool for Turkish soft diplomacy. By implementing thousands of educational projects on various continents, Tika reinforces Turkish cultural and soft influence and creates long -term relationships.

Introduction

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is the main institution of Türkiye’s development aid and has implemented more than 2.5 projects in nine countries. The agency operates under the supervision of the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The TIKA educational department is one of the most important areas of activity, including school building, university support, professional training programs, and scholarships. These programs are mainly implemented in Asia, Africa, Balkans, the Middle East and Latin America, and their aim is to strengthen educational infrastructure and skilled human resources. Through these initiatives, TIKA reports that not only helps reduce poverty and increase educational opportunities, but also deepen Türkiye’s cultural and economic relations with global partners.

Tika training projects around the world

TIKA has implemented a variety of educational projects around the world, including building and equipping schools, supporting universities, professional training programs and scholarships. These activities are often carried out in cooperation with local governments and international organizations and are designed based on local needs.

In Africa, Tika has a special focus on basic and professional education. In Somalia, for example, TIKA has built and equipped numerous schools, including a professional technical school in Mogadishu that helps teach youth technical skills. In Sudan, TIKA has implemented educational programs for teachers and has provided scholarships for Sudanese students to study in Turkish universities. Also, in African countries such as Algeria and Tunisia, Tika has coordinated offices that manage training projects, including classroom construction and digital training equipment.

According to statistics, Tika has implemented more than a thousand educational projects in Africa by the year, including scholarships for more than 5 students. In Asia, TIKA activities emphasize professional education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). In Sri Lanka, Tika supports a professional educational institute that offers 4 to 6 months courses annually and provides scholarships for low -income students.

In Kazakhstan, Tika has provided STEM training to 4 teachers to promote new educational approaches. In Central Asia, such as Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, TIKA has provided scholarships for students to study in Turkish universities, which is part of the Türkiye Scholarships program. Also, in Afghanistan, TIKA has built girls’ schools and has implemented educational programs for women, which covers more than 2.5 students.

In Pakistan, Tika equips technical universities and holds training courses for young engineers. In the Balkans, Tika focuses on reconstruction of educational and cultural heritage. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tika rebuilds historical schools and offers scholarships for Bosnian students in Türkiye. In Albania, Tika runs training programs for teachers and supports local universities. In Kosovo, Tika has implemented thousands of development projects, which are a major part of education, including school construction and scholarships.

These projects are often aimed at strengthening cultural ties with countries with Ottoman heritage. In the Middle East, Tika has implemented projects in Syria, Iraq and Palestine. In Palestine, Tika has equipped schools in Gaza and provided scholarships for Palestinian students. In Iraq, training programs have been held for Syrian refugees. In Latin America, Tika has expanded educational activities, such as cultural and educational programs in Colombia and Mexico, which includes scholarships and courses.

Tika has also implemented projects to reduce rural poverty in South America. Tika scholarships are often integrated with the Türkiye Scholarships program, bringing thousands of students from developing countries to Türkiye. These programs are managed by Tika offices in nine countries.

Why does Türkiye spend on public education in other countries?

Türkiye’s interests behind the Tika educational and scholarship programs lies in Türkiye’s strategic goals that go beyond humanitarian aid. These activities are part of Türkiye’s soft diplomacy that focuses on cultural and ideological attractiveness based on the concept of “soft power”. Through education, Tika enhances Türkiye’s influence in key regions such as Central Asia, Balkans and Africa, where there are Ottoman historical bonds. For example, scholarships turn students as Turkish ambassadors who, after returning, reinforce economic and political relations.

Türkiye’s economic interests from these programs are evident; Scholarship graduates often become Turkish business partners and open new markets for Turkish exports. In Central Asia, these activities help Turkey expand Türkiye’s influence in competition with Russia and China.

This approach combines Türkiye’s hard power with soft power and allows Turkey to gain geopolitical influence without military conflict. In addition, these programs help Turkey improve their positive image in the Muslim world and developing countries, which is useful to domestic and international criticism of Turkish policies.

Finally, Tika is part of Türkiye’s wider strategy to become a global power, where training is a tool for controlling resources and relationships.

The conclusion of the Tika educational and scholarship programs has not only contributed to global development, but has also identified Turkey as a key actor in soft diplomacy. By implementing a variety of projects around the world, Tika creates sustainable relationships and guarantees Türkiye’s long -term interests. In the future, the expansion of these programs could reinforce Türkiye’s role in the multifaceted world, provided that it is based on the principles of transparency and real cooperation.