TİKA’s Support for Turkish Education in Kosovo

The opening ceremony of the Department of Turkology at the Faculty of Philology, Hasan Prishtina University, which was renovated and equipped by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), took place recently.

As part of the project, the classrooms and administrative units of the Turkology department at the university in the capital city of Pristina were renovated, significantly enhancing the department’s physical infrastructure.

The opening ceremony was attended by Kosovo’s Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pristina, Sabri Tunç Angılı; Vice Rector of Hasan Prishtina University, Naim Jerliu; TİKA Vice President, Dr. Mahmut Çevik; MP of the Democratic Turkish Party of Kosovo, Fidan Brina Jılta; Dean of the Faculty of Philology at Hasan Prishtina University, Abdulla Rexhepi; Head of the Turkology Department, Ergin Jable; as well as representatives from Turkish institutions, academics and students.

750 Projects by TİKA in 19 Years

Speaking at the opening ceremony, TİKA Vice President Dr. Çevik stated that the agency has been active in Kosovo across various sectors since 2005, implementing a total of 750 projects to date.

Dr. Çevik remarked, “Since our establishment as TİKA in 1992, we have placed significant emphasis on the development of the Turkish language. Across this region, from Central Asia to the Balkans, we have completed 121 projects dedicated to the Turkish language, culture, Turkology and Turkish studies.”

“Turkish will live on these lands for eternity”

Minister Damka emphasized the importance of preserving the Department of Turkish Language and Literature and ensuring the accurate transmission of the Turkish language to future generations. Highlighting that Turkish in Kosovo represents the language of a people who have historically led in the Balkans, Damka expressed his hope saying, “I hope Turkish will live on these lands for eternity.”

“Kosovo: A Cultural Hub of the Turkic World”

Ambassador Angılı remarked that Kosovo, as a young state, is home to communities with a rich and profound history.

He highlighted that the Department of Turkology, alongside the University of Pristina, brings significant value to the independent and sovereign Republic of Kosovo. Angılı stated, “Kosovo is also one of the cultural centers of the Balkans, Europe and the Turkic World. This was true historically, and I am confident it will remain so today and in the future.”

The ceremony concluded with Dr. Çevik presenting guests with copies of ‘Büyük Türkçe Sözlük’ (the Grand Turkish Dictionary) and a group photo.

This project, which aims to strengthen the presence of Turkish language and culture in Kosovo, stands as a tangible example of cultural cooperation between the two countries.