Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) International Education and Partnerships (IEP) held a hybrid Turkey Public Lecture, on Wednesday, 17 April 2024 at the ML Sultan Campus. The theme of the lecture was Türkiye in South Africa, which aimed at fostering Turkey-South Africa academic relations and collaborations.
This lecture is part of a series of engagements around ENVISION20230 through the lens of internationalisation.
The public lecture was facilitated by an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Relations and Advertising at Aksaray University in Türkiye, Prof Fatih Baritci.
Prof Baritci highlighted the activities, institutions, and educational programmes they have in South Africa intended to promote academic relations between the countries which includes the Turkish Maarif Foundation founded in 2016. The International Maarif Schools opened in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
He further emphasised how vital it is to continuously embrace and contribute towards strengthening international relations.
“The development of collaboration between the academics of the two countries can contribute to strengthening of mutual understanding in many respects. More attention should be paid to long-term relations that will be built on culture. Türkiye should continue to strengthen its soft presence in South Africa to develop good relations,’’ said Prof Baritci.
Sharing a short history of Turkey South Africa relations, Prof Baritci stated that the relations between the two countries officially began in 1852 with the appointment of an Ottoman honorary consul in Cape Town, Williem Greig. The first correspondence of the Republic of Türkiye with the South African State was carried on behalf of Türkiye in 1926 by the Swedish Consul General H.L Smith in Cape Town.
The Turkey international also revealed that the Turkey’s name is proposed to be changed into a new name called Türkiye; before displaying short documentary showing the whole beauty of Türkiye.
Pictured: Prof Fatih Baritci with delegates at the event.
Vukani Langa
