“Turkish Language Training Centre” was inaugurated in Erbil as a joint initiative of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (YYÜ) and Salahaddin University with contributions of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü.

Yunus Emre Enstitüsü Director of Strategy Development Bülent Üçpunar, Van YYÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Peyami Battal, and Salahaddin University Rector Ahmed Enver Dizeyi as well as faculty members from both universities attended the "Turkish Language Education Centre" opening as an official ceremony was held in Salahaddin University in Erbil.

Speaking to AA correspondent before the opening, Üçpunar said, "With the beneficial venture of the two universities, a language training centre will be opened in Erbil and we will provide support thanks to our rich infrastructure. We support all initiatives concerning teaching Turkish here as we do in every corner of the world.”

Marking that they observed intense interested towards Turkey and Turkish in IK, Üçpunar said, "With this initiative by Salahaddin and Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, we will cater to this intense interest to a large extent.”

YYU Rector Prof. Dr. Battal who expressed that there are many Iraqi students who aspire to study in universities in Turkey, said that they came to the decision to open a Turkish Language Training Centre at Salahaddin University in order to meet this need.

Informing that Turkish will be taught through resource books provided by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Battal stated that their efforts will not be limited to this, and that they aim to establish language centres in other cities of IK and to inaugurate a YYU branch.

Salahaddin University Rector Dizeyi, who made a speech at the opening ceremony, expressed their gladness in opening a language centre in Erbil where Turkish will be taught in the best way.

Dizeyi said, "We have signed protocols with many universities of sister and neighbour country Turkey for solidarity. We are starting to receive the fruits of our label today. We used to live under the roof of a single country and we have the same culture on the same region. This is why we deem it necessary to further such relations."

İrem Bayram, General Manager of Best Van Turizm that provided the language centre with smart board and other necessary items, said, "We feel honoured to support the technological infrastructure of this centre. We wish that our support for joint ventures of both universities will continue in the long run."

The official opening ceremony ended with a group photo shoot.