A certificate ceremony was held for Seljuk and Ottoman history course participant, an activity launched in relation to the cooperation protocol signed between Brussels Yunus Emre Enstitüsü and Ghent University to jointly contribute in development of Turkey Research Centres established under Ghent University in 2011.

Certification ceremony was attended by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, Ghent University Rector Prof. Dr. Anne de Paepe, Turkish Ambassador to Antwerp Metin Ergin, Ghent Deputy Mayor Resul Tapmaz, Belgian and Turkish academicians as well as many guests interested in Ottoman history.

Institute President Ateş who made a speech in the certification program and gave examples from successful event (concerts, conferences, exhibitions) in multidisciplinary fields outside the university as well as academic seminars organised under the roof of the university following the cooperation  protocol signed between the two organisations. Ateş continues as follows: “Today I would like to mark that we have carried out a fruitful operation appealing to target audiences of both institutions by carrying our collaboration to another dimension with Ottoman and Seljuk history classes and certification program co-organised as part of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Turcology Project.”

Rector Paepe who took the stage, stated the following: “ Yunus Emre Enstitüsü and Ghent University Turkey Research Centre co-organised these lessons which will encourage the individual to master one's own history, mother language and literature and adapt to another culture. Ottoman history is a historic experience in which cohabitation with various religions and cultures was enabled.”

Dirk Lookies, a Seljuk and Ottoman history course student mentioned in his speech that he taught to children with disabilities for many years, he had not noticed that Turkish people had an authentic culture before and thanks to this program, he got acquainted with a rich culture and his biggest wish is to visit Istanbul as soon as possible.

Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş held meetings with Turkish Ambassador to Brussels Mehmet Olcay and Brussels Turkey Union of Chambers and Exchange Commodities Resident Representative Bülent Bilgiç as part of his Brussels visit.

Brussels Yunus Emre Enstitüsü and Ghent University Cooperation

Turkic Studies Centre was established under Ghent University in 2011. Centre supports implementation of activities concerning Turcology as the centre conducts academic studies on Turkish history and languages in Belgian universities.

The joint operations launched after the signed protocol, particularly conferences, regular academical seminars, and bull sessions have gradually become more systematic and have attracted a significant audience of participants and followers.

Among lecturers who have participated in the seminars so far with support of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü are  Prof. Dr. Nurhan Atasoy, Prof. Dr. SurayaFaroqui,  Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, Etyen Mahçupyan, Dr. Cavit Gelekçi, Ömer Tuğrul İnançer, Prof. Hüseyin Bağcı and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kalpaklı we will host on December 17^th .

Some products of this fruitful cooperation are the conference organised within the frame of 2011 UNESCO Evliya Chelebi year that featured numerous speakers, concert by Istanbul Barok Ensemble performed in Bozar Cultural Centre, Piri Reis Exhibition and Conference held in Solvay Library by collaboration of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Bilkent University and Ghent University, and exhibition and conference titled The Language of Rugs organised in European Parliament.

Yunus Emre Enstitüsü donated 1050 books to Turkey Library opened under the roof of Ghent University in December 2015.