Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided equipment to the Turkish language classroom at the Foreign Language Center of the Academy of Armed Forces, Ministry of Defense of Albania.
Since 1999, this classroom has offered Turkish language courses to military personnel within the Albanian Ministry of Defense. Recent upgrades have modernized the space with new student desks, chairs, cabinets, curtains, printers, computers, smartboards, and teacher desks.
Brigadier General Bardhyl Nuredinaj, Rector of the Academy of Armed Forces of the Ministry of Defense of Albania; Tayyar Kağan Atay, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tirana; Colonel Tolga Kip, Military Attaché of the Republic of Türkiye to Tirana; Mustafa Ata, TİKA’s Coordinator in Tirana; Metin Bulut, Türkiye’s Education Attaché to Tirana; Oğuzhan Sakoğlu, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute in Tirana; as well as military personnel and trainees, attended the ceremony marking the opening of the renovated classroom and the commencement of Turkish language courses in 2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Atay expressed his belief that the Turkish courses, to be held in the classroom renovated with the support of TİKA, will significantly contribute to the personnel involved in the cooperation between Türkiye and the Republic of Albania in the defense sector.
Brigadier General Nuredinaj, Rector of the Academy of Armed Forces of the Albanian Ministry of Defense, conveyed his gratitude to Türkiye for the renovated classroom and wished success to both the personnel who completed the Turkish language course and those who will begin the course.
Following the speeches, participation certificates were presented to five military personnel who attended the Turkish course in 2024. The ceremony concluded with well wishes for the four personnel who will participate in the Turkish course planned for 2025.
As part of the fifth “Sağlığa Dost Eli-5 Project” organized this year by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in collaboration with the Dost Eli Association, Turkish physicians offered free healthcare services to thousands of Chadian citizens at Nama Hospital in the Ndjari district.
Chad, one of the poorest countries in Africa, continues to face significant challenges in accessing healthcare. This year, Nama Hospital in the Ndjari district of the capital, N’Djamena, provided free health services to thousands of Chadian citizens as part of the “Sağlığa Dost Eli-5 Project” led by the Turkish medical team.
Free healthcare for 4,820 people over 9 days
A Turkish medical team of 13, including 10 medical staff from five different specialties, provided free healthcare services to 4,820 people over the course of 9 days. Additionally, medicines, and medical supplies brought from Türkiye were distributed to patients at no charge.
As part of the free services offered by the Turkish medical team, 685 patients were treated in pediatrics, 693 in ear, nose, and throat (ENT), and 470 in surgery. Furthermore, 1,378 patients received dental treatment, and 45 surgeries were performed. The project also included the circumcision of 2,057 boys.
Thanks to this initiative, long-standing health issues were addressed, and access to basic healthcare services was significantly improved for the local population.
Chad’s Ministry of Health thanks Turkish medical team
After the successful completion of the 9-day health project, the Chadian Ministry of Health expressed its gratitude to the Turkish medical team by awarding them certificates of appreciation. The Ministry highlighted that the project provided significant support to the people of Chad and expressed hope that similar initiatives would continue in the future.
The Astana leg of the “Turkish Cuisine from the Ancestral Homeland to Anatolia” events—organized to showcase the rich gastronomic heritage of Turkish cuisine in Astana, Bishkek, and Tashkent—was successfully completed.
As part of the project initiated by the Bursa Maturation Institute and supported by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), a themed dinner titled “Gastronomic Heritage of the Turks: From Nomads to Gourmets” was held in Astana.
The event brought together diplomats, bureaucrats, business leaders, opinion leaders, researchers, and members of the press.
Strengthening cultural ties through Turkish cuisine
Nilüfer Karakoç, Director of the Bursa Maturation Institute, shared the following remarks in her speech at the event:
“With this project, we aim to highlight the historical evolution of Turkish cuisine and the influence of the nomadic lifestyle on gastronomy. At the same time, we seek to revitalize Turkish culinary traditions across the Turkestan region, revive forgotten dishes, and preserve our shared gastronomic heritage. Strengthening cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Türkiye, while fostering greater interaction between the two nations through gastronomy, remains one of our primary goals.”
A special dinner showcasing Kazakh and Turkish cuisine
As part of the event, guests were treated to a selection of five exquisite dishes inspired by Kazakh and Turkish culinary traditions, prepared by Turkish Chef Korhan Süren and Kazakh Chef Manas Skak. The gastronomic experience concluded with a special concert featuring Kazakh and Turkish music.
Supported by TİKA, this initiative aims to celebrate the culinary heritage of the Turkestan region and preserve it for future generations. The program will continue in Bishkek and Tashkent in the coming months.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Tajikistan and the Committee for Vocational Education, has established an anatomy laboratory at Hisar State Medical College. The laboratory was inaugurated with a formal ceremony.
Founded in 1986, Hisar State Medical College educates 2,466 students in the fields of midwifery, nursing, pharmacy, and dental technology. With the support of TİKA, the project has created a modern laboratory environment, allowing students to gain hands-on practical training.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of Tajikistan, Gafur Muhsinzoda; Deputy Mayor of Hisar City, Bunafsha Yuldoshzoda; and TİKA’s Coordinator in Dushanbe, İbrahim Ethem Ünal.
“Quality education in healthcare is vital”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of Tajikistan, Gafur Muhsinzoda, highlighted the insufficient educational infrastructure in rural areas and underscored the importance of training qualified professionals in the healthcare sector.
Muhsinzoda emphasized that the infrastructure provided by TİKA meets a critical need and expressed his gratitude for the ongoing cooperation.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Dushanbe, İbrahim Ethem Ünal stated that the new laboratory will enhance the quality of education by offering students hands-on practical training. He reaffirmed TİKA’s commitment to supporting projects that contribute to Tajikistan’s healthcare sector.
Training qualified health workers
Thanks to the new laboratory, students in nursing, midwifery, and dental technician departments will benefit from expanded practical training opportunities. This initiative aims to increase employment prospects upon graduation and contribute to providing qualified professionals for Tajikistan’s rapidly growing healthcare sector.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has built three greenhouses for nine young farmers who have completed greenhouse farming training.
As part of the project, implemented in collaboration with the Somali Smart Farms Association (SSFA), nine young individuals with knowledge of greenhouse farming—but lacking a stable income due to financial constraints—were provided with their own greenhouses.
In addition to constructing the greenhouses, TİKA supplied tomato, cucumber, and bell pepper seeds, along with pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation tanks, drip irrigation pipes, and spraying equipment. These resources have enabled the young farmers to complete their first production cycle successfully.
The greenhouses, established on land allocated to young farmers by the SSFA, will receive free water support from the association for five years. The project aims to help young farmers reinvest their earnings in the agricultural sector and contribute to Somalia’s agricultural self-sufficiency.
Halima Abdurahman Mohamud, the mother of Ahmed Abdullahi Nur—one of the young farmers—shared that her son was orphaned and grew up under challenging conditions. She never imagined that he would one day own a greenhouse. She expressed her gratitude to Türkiye and TİKA, noting that her son now has his own greenhouse and that their entire family’s life will improve as a result.
This project, which encourages trained young farmers to actively participate in agriculture, seeks to enhance local production and strengthen Somalia’s agricultural independence through modern greenhouse practices.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established a modern coffee production facility in the village of Sirnajaya, located in the Rawagede district of Bogor, Indonesia. Home to approximately 7,000 people, the village’s economy primarily depends on coffee and paddy production.
Previously, coffee processed using traditional methods was sold below market value, limiting the villagers’ economic gains. With the drying greenhouse built by TİKA and the facility equipped with roasting, grinding, and packaging equipment; locally produced coffee will now be sold at its true market value.
The villagers of Sirnajaya have chosen the name “Memba” as the official brand for their coffee, and a specially designed package has been created. Once the necessary permits are obtained, Memba-branded coffee will soon be available to consumers.
“Our cooperation will continue to grow”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the facility, TİKA’s Vice President Dr. Naci Yorulmaz stated: “Since our establishment in 1992, we have carried out more than 30,000 projects and activities in 170 countries. With 63 offices worldwide, we continue to expand our cooperation projects. We continue to undertake significant initiatives in rural and urban development in Indonesia. Following the recent visit of our President, agreements were signed in various sectors. I hope this new phase will further strengthen our cooperation in all fields.”
Thanks to TİKA’s support, the villagers of Sirnajaya will not only enhance efficiency in their production processes but also become more competitive in the global market.
The “Social Media and Digital Media Journalism Training” program was successfully organized in Cambodia through a collaboration between Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).
As part of the project, Kampuchea Presse, Kampuchea State Radio, the Ministry of Information’s Press and Publication Department, and 54 journalists from Cambodian State Television participated in the training.
During the four-day training program, participants received comprehensive instruction on topics such as digital content creation, digital video storytelling, film production for social media platforms, and combating disinformation.
The program’s opening ceremony was attended by Cambodia’s Minister of Information, Neth Pheaktra; and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Cambodia, Ülkü Kocaefe.
In her speech, Ambassador Kocaefe highlighted TİKA’s initiatives in Cambodia and expressed her satisfaction with the collaboration in the field of media.
Minister Pheaktra expressed his pleasure in organizing the first training of the year in collaboration with TİKA and TRT. Highlighting the importance of accurate information in the media, he emphasized that combating disinformation remains a top priority.
Certificates of participation were presented to journalists who successfully completed the training by Minister Pheaktra and Ambassador Kocaefe.
The Türkiye-Cameroon Friendship Park, built by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, was inaugurated with a ceremony.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Yaoundé, Volkan Öskiper; Douala Mayor, Roger Mbassa Ndine; TİKA’s Coordinator in Yaoundé, Melih Çağatay Artunay; and numerous guests attended the opening ceremony.
In his speech, Ambassador Öskiper emphasized that the Türkiye-Cameroon Friendship Park stands as a significant symbol of the strong ties between the two nations and expressed his hope that the park would serve as a valuable space for the people of Douala.
Douala Mayor Ndine expressed his gratitude for Türkiye’s development assistance to Cameroon, stating that the Friendship Park would further strengthen the historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Yaoundé Çağatay emphasized that the project was designed not only to create a park but also to provide a space where Cameroonians could enhance their daily lives, host cultural activities, and foster social connections.
Highlighting the project’s broader purpose, Çağatay stated, “With this initiative, we sought to contribute to the friendship and cooperation between Türkiye and Cameroon by offering a modern, multifunctional park open to the public. Through Friendship Park, we aimed to address the social and recreational needs of the people of Douala while enhancing the overall quality of life in the city.”
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) installed biology, chemistry, and foreign language laboratories at ‘Bido Sejko’ Regional School in the town of Konispol.
A ceremony was held at ‘Bido Sejko’ Regional School to mark the occasion, attended by the Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tirana, Tayyar Kağan Atay; Mayor of Konispol, Ergest Dule; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tirana, Mustafa Ata; Education Counselor of the Turkish Embassy in Tirana, Dr. Metin Bulut; President of the Alsar Foundation, Mehdi Gurra; as well as school administrators, teachers and students.
Through this project, TİKA has strengthened the school’s science laboratories (biology and chemistry) by enhancing their physical infrastructure and raising laboratory standards to promote analytical thinking alongside theoretical knowledge. Additionally, the newly established foreign language laboratory supports after-school Turkish courses and other language programs, which have been ongoing since 2016, making language education more effective and engaging.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Dule, an alumnus of the school, expressed his gratitude to TİKA for its contributions to the school’s infrastructure, technology, and innovation. He also conveyed his eagerness to collaborate on future projects.
Ambassador Atay thanked the Mayor and school administrators for the opportunity to cooperate on this project, emphasizing his pleasure in contributing to students’ education through these laboratories, which he described as a gift from the Turkish people to the Albanian people.
Alsar Foundation President Mehdi Gurra, whose organization has provided various forms of support to the school, stated “As the Albanian community, we deeply appreciate Türkiye and TİKA for their continuous support.”
During the ceremony, students recited poems in both Turkish and Albanian, and traditional music and dance performances were held.
About ‘Bido Sejko’ Regional School
Founded in the 1971–1972 academic year, ‘Bido Sejko’ Regional School is a public institution providing primary, secondary, and high school education in Konispol.
The school currently has 92 students in primary school (grades 1–5), 105 students in middle school (grades 6–9), and 106 students in high school (grades 10–12). It also serves students from surrounding towns and villages, who attend classes through a designated transportation system.
With the support of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), a modern educational center for children and youth has been established in Koura, Lebanon.
Thousands of people displaced from southern Lebanon due to Israeli attacks have sought safety in Koura, significantly impacting the region’s education system as many families took refuge in public schools. As a result, numerous children faced the risk of being cut off from their education.
To address this challenge, the first two floors of a building in the town of Kfarhazir were transformed into a modern educational and activity center. In addition to classrooms, the facility includes social activity spaces and playgrounds. Furthermore, furniture and educational materials were provided to ensure that children could continue their education without interruption.
An opening ceremony was held
The Darb Al-Asfour Education Center, established with the support of TİKA, was officially inaugurated in Kfarhazir, Koura, Lebanon. The opening ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Beirut, Murat Lütem; Koura MP, Adib Abdel Massih; Kfarhazir Mayor, Fawzi Al-Maalouf, and numerous other guests.
In his speech, Ambassador Lütem highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and Lebanon, stressing the significance of strengthening these friendly relations through vital areas such as education.
Koura MP Massih underscored the negative impact of displaced children being deprived of education on the social fabric, emphasizing that this project plays a crucial role in ensuring their continued learning.
About the project
At the education center, children will receive academic instruction while also developing their social skills. Additionally, the center will offer training programs for parents in areas such as health, childcare, and culinary arts. As a result, the project will serve not only as a learning hub for children but also as a resource for enhancing the overall well-being of the community.
Beyond academic support, the center creates a space for children from Koura and displaced families to connect, encouraging a sense of belonging and unity.
The project is expected to benefit approximately 1,000 children and young people each year.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Yeryüzü Doktorları (Doctors Worldwide Türkiye) conducted mobile health screenings in Cambodia, enhancing access to essential healthcare services.
In collaboration with TİKA, Yeryüzü Doktorları, and local partner Cambodia HBB Aid Organization, comprehensive medical services were provided in the Ou Reang Ov, Ponhea Kraek, Kandal, and Pursat districts between January 20-29, 2025.
As part of the health screenings, 2,446 people received medical evaluations, with a particular focus on children and families. The initiative prioritized vaccination programs, nutritional assessments, and general health check-ups.
In collaboration with local doctors, the program not only assessed individuals’ health conditions but also provided training sessions for healthcare professionals in the region.
This healthcare initiative, carried out by TİKA and Yeryüzü Doktorları, aimed to strengthen early diagnosis and intervention efforts while supporting Cambodia’s local health system.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) supplied laparoscopy devices and equipment to the Regional Hospital of Elbasan, Albania.
With the addition of this medical equipment, the 400-bed hospital—serving approximately 400,000 people—can now perform laparoscopic surgeries in both general surgery and gynecology departments.
A ceremony was held to mark the delivery of the equipment, attended by Albania’s Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection, Entela Ramosaçaj; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tirana, Tayyar Kağan Atay; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tirana, Mustafa Ata; Elbasan Regional Hospital Director, Agron Gaxho; and hospital medical staff.
Deputy Minister Ramosaçaj, a doctor herself, thanked Türkiye and TİKA, emphasizing that the newly provided medical equipment would reduce the risk of infection in surgeries, enable faster patient recovery, and help individuals return to their daily lives more quickly.
Ambassador Atay highlighted that Türkiye’s support for Albania’s healthcare infrastructure extends beyond the capital to surrounding cities as well. He noted that the laparoscopy equipment provided to Elbasan Regional Hospital would enhance the hospital’s surgical capabilities and expressed satisfaction with Türkiye’s contribution.
Elbasan Regional Hospital serves 400,000 patients annually
Elbasan Regional Hospital, which treats patients from various cities across Albania, provides healthcare services to approximately 400,000 people each year through its 20 specialized departments. The hospital performs around 2,000 surgical procedures annually, while approximately 1,500 births take place in its gynecology department.
With a medical staff of 600, including 95 doctors, the hospital aims to enhance patient care by expanding its service capacity with the modern medical equipment provided by TİKA.
