Contacts to Strengthen Scientific and Academic Cooperation with China from MAKÜ

Faculty members of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) attended the reception held in Ankara on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China.

At the reception hosted by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Ankara, Jiang Xuebin, on September 17, 2026, MAKÜ was represented by Dr. Faculty Member Seyit Yüzüak from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and Research Assistant Dr. Aykut Dal from the Department of Eastern Languages and Literatures.

During the reception, Yüzüak and Dal met with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Ankara, Jiang Xuebin, and the Undersecretary of Culture, Zhou Meifen, to exchange views on the ongoing efforts to develop scientific, academic, and cultural collaborations between MAKÜ and higher education institutions in China, as well as new cooperation opportunities.

In the meeting, Dr. Faculty Member Seyit Yüzüak provided information about a project that was applied for in the People's Republic of China by a faculty member from MAKÜ, which is the first scientific project to receive support and is currently being carried out. In addition to the project supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the People's Republic of China, Yüzüak also shared his work on joint research projects and academic collaborations he has been conducting with scientists from different universities in China in recent years, as well as efforts to transfer these collaborations to new research areas.

Another prominent topic in the meeting was the initiatives to bring scientists working at prestigious universities in China, who conduct pioneering studies in their fields, into the university to contribute to MAKÜ's scientific and academic capacity. Yüzüak informed Ambassador Jiang Xuebin and Undersecretary of Culture Zhou Meifen about the bilateral meetings he conducted in China regarding the employment of these scientists part-time at MAKÜ under the additional article 46 of Law No. 2547 and the ongoing efforts.

Research Assistant Dr. Aykut Dal provided information about his efforts to promote the Chinese language and culture at MAKÜ and to increase students' academic and cultural interactions in this field. In this context, Dal, who led the establishment of the Chinese Language and Culture Student Society within the university, stated that he not only teaches Chinese language courses but also conducts various educational and cultural activities that will contribute to a closer recognition of Chinese culture among university students. Dal also shared with Ambassador Jiang Xuebin and Undersecretary of Culture Zhou Meifen the work he has done so far to develop sustainable academic and cultural relations between universities in China and MAKÜ, as well as the activities planned for the upcoming period. The meeting evaluated the development of Chinese language education at MAKÜ, the diversification of academic and cultural activities related to Chinese language and culture, and new cooperation opportunities that could enhance the interaction of students and academics with higher education institutions in China. The parties exchanged views on possible joint efforts that could be implemented in these areas.

These contacts, held in 2026 to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and China, aim to contribute to strengthening existing scientific, academic, and cultural ties with higher education institutions in China and developing new collaborations in line with MAKÜ's vision of internationalization.