The international project titled “Strengthening Ties Between Türkiye and Indonesia Through Academic, Cultural, and Social Cooperation: Bringing Hearts Closer Across Distant Lands”, carried out in collaboration with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, and Universitas Majapahit Islam, was successfully completed in Jakarta, Indonesia, between October 23–29, 2025.
This project, which followed the International Youth and Technology Symposium hosted by the Faculty of Divinity at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University in April 2025, aimed to establish lasting partnerships between Türkiye and Indonesia in academic, cultural, and social fields. As part of the program, academic advisors, administrators, and young participants from both countries came together for various activities.
Participants visited institutions such as the Indonesian Ministry of National Education, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Jakarta, the Yunus Emre Institute, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, and Universitas Majapahit Islam, where they discussed opportunities for academic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. In addition, through visits to historical sites such as the Prambanan Temple, the Kraton Sultan Palace, and the Taman Sari Water Castle, as well as a traditional Batik-making workshop, participants had the opportunity to experience Indonesian culture firsthand.
The academic talks, cultural gatherings, and social activities organized throughout the project laid the groundwork for lasting friendships between Turkish and Indonesian youth and professionals. Participants developed important skills in areas such as communication, teamwork, intercultural learning, and academic collaboration. Project Coordinator Asst. Prof. Fatih Baş, in his post-project evaluation, stated “This project has been more than just an academic exchange between two countries; it has been a bridge where hearts are connected and cultures meet. Our young participants will, through this experience, become pioneers of new collaborations in the future. With this project, we have taken the first step not only toward strengthening ties between Türkiye and Indonesia but also toward building academic, social, and cultural cooperation with other Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and China.”
Conducted jointly by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, and Universitas Majapahit Islam, the project has made a significant contribution to the development of sustainable academic, cultural, and social collaborations between Türkiye and Indonesia.
