Nepali graduate calls on Turkey to boost scholarships

By Alam and Zuhal Demirci

ISTANBUL

An international alumnus of Ankara University called on Turkey to increase the number of annual scholarships for foreign students.

Shubhash Wostey of the UNHCR refugee agency told Anadolu Agency that international students can continue their professional life in Turkey or return to their own countries to contribute there, adding that a Turkish government scholarship would be a big opportunity for them.

, a Nepali citizen who got a degree in international relations at Ankara University in 1994, suggested that students from his country pursue their studies in Turkey.

“I would recommend that everyone use the opportunity and quality of education Turkey offers to young people from around the world,” he added.

He also called on Turkish officials to boost the number of scholarships for international students.

Around 5,000 students from across the globe are awarded Turkish scholarships by the presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the sole authority to provide government scholarships to international students.

According to the latest YTB data, nearly 17,000 foreign students are studying in Turkish universities on government scholarships, while over 100,000 are studying in Turkey using non-government funds.

This year around 106,550 students from 163 countries have applied for the Turkey Scholarship Program, as the country has become a regional hub for international students in recent years.

Thankful to Turkey

is thankful to Turkey for the education and life experiences he received during his student years in Ankara between 1988 and 1994, adding the education in Turkey laid the basis for his humanitarian work.

He left Turkey immediately after graduation and began to work on humanitarian issues under the UNHCR.

This June, was appointed the head of UNHCR operations in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, which is hosting nearly a million Rohingya refugees.

“The education I got from Turkish university and the life experiences I got from the Turkish people led my personal and professional life”.

“This rich, holistic education was the foundation of all of my humanitarian efforts and hard work for the people who have been in the most difficult situation in the world -- legally known as refugees -- and I have been following and defending the rights of these people for 23 years.”

According to , his education in Turkey benefited not only himself but also the refugees in difficult situations.

He said students educated in Turkey “not only learn from the school and the textbooks, but also from the rich history, culture and strategic position of the country”.

International students “can acquire important lessons about life from the hospitality and warmth of the Turkish people. I personally experienced this myself,” he added.

Though left Turkey immediately after his graduation, he never cut off ties with Turkey and in frequently met his former classmates working at Turkey’s overseas missions.

“I’ve visited Turkey several times both for business and private reasons. I never cut off relations".