Türkiye Beacon of Hope for Sudan students displaced by civil war

Nigde/Istanbul

Türkiye has become an educational refuge for students and academics whose studies have been interrupted by the Sudan Civil War, offering an opportunity to resume their academic trips.

Against the background of the war, under the coordination of the Turkish Higher Education Council, the management body that supervises the universities in the country, students and academics at the Al-Butana University in Sudan were placed at Nigde Omer Halisdemir University to continue their academic activities.

From April 15, 2023, Sudan was dressed in violent confrontations between the army and the former quick support forces due to disagreements on military reform and integration. According to the UN, Sudan is facing the biggest movement and crisis of hunger in the world. The war has claimed over 20,000 lives, while over 3.5 million fled the country. Nearly 9 million have been relocated to Sudan and over 25 million urgently need humanitarian help.

As part of the conflict, the facilities of the Al-Butana University were damaged, disrupting the educational activities. In the effort to mitigate the effect of the war on students and to minimize its damage to the country’s education sector, the Ministry of Higher Education and Sudanese scientific research has reached the Türkiye Higher Education Council.

In a quick response, the Higher Education Council launched the “Initiative of the Invited University” and associated Al-Butana University with Nigde Omer Halisdemir University. The initiative facilitated the relocation of 18 people, including the rector of the University, three administrative staff, two members of the Faculty of Research, four doctoral students, two master students and six students.

The model “University of a University” ensures that Sudani students and academics can continue their education and research in better conditions and in a safe environment. The initiative aims to help the students return to Sudan after the completion of their education, where they can contribute to the future development of the respective country.

“We do not want the universities to close”

Following a meeting of the Council with the Sudanese Rector of the Al-Butana University and its committee, the president of the Türkiye Higher Education Council, Ero Ozvar, discussed the initiative with Anadolu.

Özvar said the Sudan Ministry of Education has reached the Türkiye Higher Education Body last year, explaining that Sudan’s universities were fighting because of internal conflicts and many institutions were forced to close.

Explaining that discussions were held with the relevant institutions in Türkiye to find a solution, Ozvar said: “We considered how we can support the universities in Sudan and we decided a model in which three of the leading universities in Sudan will be hosted in three universities in Türkiye. Because we do not want the universities to close, we presented this proposal to our Sudan counterparts. “

“Our goal was to make sure that Sudani students and academics can continue their education at the designated universities in Türkiye. Sudan officials have greeted the idea and accepted it with joy,” he said.

“Türkiye has always opened the doors of the scientists”

Ozvar said that a number designated by administrators, academics and students have already resumed studies in the classrooms assigned by Nigde Omer Halisdemir University. He explained that Bahri University in Sudan and Al-Neelain University will also be hosted at Selcuk University in Türkiye and in Inonu University.

“This initiative of the Republic of Türkiye and the Higher Education Council ensures that these universities, which had to suspend educational activities due to the war, can continue to operate in Türkiye without closing their doors to students,” he said. “This is a pioneering project that gives an example in both the Islamic world and in the relationships between our two countries.”

Ozvar said: “We have Sudani students at Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, who, in a sense, host here in Turkiye, these teachers, academics and students who arrive from the homeland.

He continued: “This country is also a place of peace, where scientists can follow their education, research and academic efforts in a safe and supportive environment. We hope, once the peace is restored to Sudan, these three universities will return to their homeland.”

Türkiye “will never accept the closing of universities”

Ozvar stressed that Türkiye undertakes to offer international students the best possible education at Turkish universities.

Expressing the confidence that Sudan students would contribute significantly to their countries after graduation, he said: “I have already seen examples in this regard. The graduates of the Turkish universities have continued to become ministers, first -miller and even presidents in their origin countries, ”he said. “We hope the same will be valid for Sudan. These students will continue their education here, in peace and we will never accept the closure of universities. “

“Türkiye was the first country to hear our voice”

The rector of Al-Butana University, Mohmoud Yacob Mohmoud, said the civil war has caused significant life losses and large-scale destruction. He mentioned that, in the effort to continue education, the University has moved to online learning. However, due to lack of resources, the transition was ineffective.

Expressing his gratitude, Mohmoud said: “Türkiye and Sudan had centuries. Türkiye is a great country, and her voice is heard everywhere. When we explained our situation, Türkiye was the first country to hear our voice. We are deeply grateful for opening his doors for us, ”he said.

After reaching Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, the rector observed the strong contrast in the educational conditions compared to the Sudan. He promised to improve the Sudan education system once they return home.

“I will bring this knowledge back to Sudan and help the development of my country.”

Ferass Aiaaldeen Gahalrsoul Faragalla, a student of the master in biochemistry, said he could not continue his education because of the Sudan war.
Fearing for his safety, Faragalla came to Türkiye and expressed her desire to continue her practical training in the university research centers. “Advanced laboratories and research centers will contribute a lot to my practical learning. I will bring this knowledge back to Sudan and help in the development of my country, ”he said.

Similarly, Rashida Ebrahim Hussein, a bachelor’s degree in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Al-Butana, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with advanced equipment in Türkiye.

“We have rich animal resources in Sudan, but our technology is not well developed. Here, I learn how to use modern equipment and I will bring this knowledge back to Sudan, “she said.” Al-Butana University was bombarded, so I couldn’t continue my education. The risk of my life has made it impossible to stay in Sudan. This opportunity in Türkiye offered me a new beginning in my academic journey. “

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