The "Socio-Cultural Belonging, Family Involvement, and Inclusive Guidance Training Certificate Program" was organized in Kirkuk between August 9–13, 2026, in coopartion with our University and Türk Eğitim-Sen.
The opening ceremony of the program, held for 100 school counselors working in Turkmeneli Schools, was attended by our University Rector, Prof. Dr. Ali Cengiz Köseoğlu; Secretary General, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mümin ŞEN; Türk Eğitim-Sen President, Talip Geylan; as well as the President of the Turkmeneli Education and Cultural Foundation, Mete Muratlı; ITC Türkiye Representative, Mehmet Kutluhan Yayçılı; President of the Turkmeneli Student and Youth Union, Murat Imadeddin; Vice President of the Turkish Language Association, Prof. Dr. Harun Şahin; TÜRKSOY Türkiye Representative, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kutlamış Yalçın; President of the Turkmen Teachers Organization, Ali Izzet; alongside Turkmen teachers and academicians.
A Movement of Existence and Revival
Speaking at the opening ceremony, our University Rector, Prof. Dr. Ali Cengiz Köseoğlu, drew attention to the significance of the program in terms of the vision for the Turkic World.
In his speech, Rector Köseoğlu stated: "Shaped in the light of the Turkic World vision, this highly prioritized strategic program is not only a professional development project; but also a movement of existence and revival. Reading in Turkish, thinking in Turkish and keeping alive those 100 distinguished schools affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of National Education, which provide education in Istanbul Turkish, in Turkmeneli is, for us, not a routine struggle for rights, but is directly the guarantee of our national survival and the Turkish presence."
Comprehensive Content in the Training Program
The training program, prepared by AYBÜ ÖĞMER, featured comprehensive topics aimed at enhancing the professional development of school counselors and strengthening the educational context in Turkmeneli.
Training sessions were conducted under the following headings:
• Turkish National Identity and Construction of Socio-Cultural Belonging
• Effective Communication
• Leadership and Management Skills, Negotiation Techniques
• School-Family Communication
• School Climate, Sense of Belonging, and Corporate Image Management
• Technology-Enhanced Teaching
• Hidden Curriculum and Values Education in Education
• Change Management
• Student Motivation and Developing a Vision for the Future
• Turkmeneli Cultural Heritage and Cultural Belonging Guidance
The training sessions were carried out through presentations delivered by AYBÜ DİLMER Deputy Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Latif İltar and Lect. Dr. Mehmet Topay.
Certificates Awarded to Successful Teachers
School counselors, who were successful in the exam held at the end of the program, completed the training and were awarded certificates issued by our University.
The program aimed to enhance the professional competencies of the school counselors working in Türkmeneli Schools, strengthen school-family communication, and support students in developing a strong sense of socio-cultural belonging.
