The Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, called on the President of the Council of Higher Education of the Republic of Türkiye, Prof. Erol Ozvar, at the latter’s office in Istanbul, on 8 April 2022.

The Secretary-General briefed Prof. Ozvar on the activities of the D-8 Organization especially education, research and human resource development. In this connection, the Secretary-General intimated of D-8 initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation in the area of education, human resources development and research. He also informed of the activities of the D-8 International University and D-8 Network of Pioneers and Innovation (D-8 NPRI).

During the meeting, Ambassador Imam expressed the concern with the issue of accreditation of educational certificates in D-8 Member countries and called for support of Turkish Government in that regard. He touched on scholarship and exchange program opportunities among universities in the D-8 Member States and solicited for the support of YÖK with regard to granting of scholarships to D-8 Member countries. He also called for exchange programme opportunities among D-8 member countries.

President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof Ozvar, on his part, underscored the importance of human resource development to promote cooperation in the area of education among D-8 Member states. He supported the views expressed by the Secretary-General on the issue of accreditation and offered to assist the D-8 in that regard. He stressed the importance of science and research for the advancement of educational development and enjoined D-8 Member countries and researchers to prioritize research work in science and innovation.

The two dignitaries underscored the need to convene a meeting of high level representatives of the Councils of Higher Education of D-8 Member States to further discuss all relevant issues on higher education including the issue of accreditation and the possible integration of the Council of Higher Education of Türkiye with the D-8 NPRI to boost collaboration between D-8 NPRI and YÖK.