The “II. Türk İnteqrasiya Olimpiadası / 2nd Turkish Integration Olympics (TİO)” aimed at reinforcing the shared values and cultural connections within the Turkish world, was organized for school students by Turkish states and national institutions. The event, which sought to promote the motto “Unity in language, thought, and work” among youth and facilitate their unity through education, was held with significant participation in collaboration with Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU).
TİO is a competition format that includes questions related to the history, culture, and shared scientific knowledge of the Turkish world. Each question references the geography, literature, history, culture, or common scientific heritage of at least one country within the Turkish world.
Participants from Many Different Regions
EMU made a substantial contribution to the successful execution of the 2nd Turkish Integration Olympics, which involved many participants from Turkish states. Furthermore, EMU provided various scholarship opportunities to the students who won awards during the finals. Representing EMU at the finals in Baku, Azerbaijan, were Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günesh Bashirova and Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medical Faculty student Elif Sude Bilgen.
On the other hand, high school student Fatih Kerem Erbay, who participated from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), demonstrated exceptional performance in the finals and won the “Akıllı Bala” award. The award was presented to him by the Central Asia and South Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network (CASCFEN), a leading civil society organization in Azerbaijan.
“Building Strong Connections: A Crucial Step towards Making a Contribution”
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç underscored that EMU’s support to the 2nd Turkish Integration Olympics provided a valuable opportunity for young people to enhance their cultural interactions, contributing to the strengthening of the unity among Turkish peoples. Prof. Dr. Kılıç remarked, “At Eastern Mediterranean University, the scholarships we offer to students united around the common values of the Turkish world, along with our contributions to the event, have played a key role in helping young people learn about each other’s cultures. These types of events not only bolster our collaboration in education but also reinforce our university’s leadership role in the field. For us, this is an important step, not just in fostering a shared cultural awareness among young people, but also in contributing to the formation of stronger bonds within the Turkish world.”
