The Social Sciences University of Ankara (ASBU) has expressed interest to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Zambian universities on collaboration in institutional research projects and joint academic programmes.
Social Sciences University of Ankara Rector, Professor Mehmet Barca said his university’s collaboration with Zambian universities will also focus on Inter-institutional agreements covering 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 between programme countries in the context of the European Union’s (EU) Erasmus+ programme and the Mevlana Protocol on exchange of students and staff.
“We strongly believe that your visit may be the start of many fruitful co-operations between Turkey and Zambia, as well as between our university and the universities in your country,” Prof Barca said.
He made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Dr Joseph Chilengi in Ankara yesterday.
Prof Barca further said collaboration between Social Sciences University of Ankara and Zambian universities will be in adherence to the quality requirements of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education in all aspects including recognition of credits awarded to students by the partner institution.
He said the mode of co-operation in the proposed MoU between Social Sciences University of Ankara and Zambian universities will include student mobility, exchange of staff, appointment of visiting scholars and offering double degree programmes.
Prof Barca said Social Sciences University of Ankara will be the first university to establish a socio-park aimed at encouraging social entrepreneurship and institutionalise social innovation.
He said as a cost-effective measure, Social Sciences University of Ankara intends at the initial stage, to establish offices in already existing Zambian universities that will welcome its proposal for academic collaboration, to facilitate deployment of Turkish researchers.
He encouraged more Zambians to apply to study at Social Sciences University of Ankara adding that the university has dedicated a 3rd of the total enrolments to international students
And vice rector, Prof Ali Gunes urged the Zambian Mission in Turkey to provide to the university a list of Zambian universities that the institution can collaborate with and sign bilateral protocols.
Meanwhile, Dr Chilengi welcomed the proposal by Social Sciences University of Ankara to sign bilateral agreements with Zambian universities.
He said the bilateral agreement will enable more Zambian students to study in Turkey in line with the aspirations of President Edgar Lungu and his Turkish counterpart to increase the number of scholarships for Zambians.
Dr Chilengi added that he had noted that key innovations were driving Turkey’s economy at an admirable rate.
He said the academia, closely working with public and private institutions were at the centre of Turkey’s economic evolution.
This is contained in a statement Issued by First Secretary (Press) Embassy of the Republic of Zambia, Ankara, Turkey Jerry Munthali.
