Türkiye, which has stood by the oppressed throughout history, also welcomed those who had to leave their country due to the civil war in neighboring Syria. With the Euphrates Shield, Peace Spring and Olive Branch Operations carried out to ensure peace and stability, many regions were cleared of terrorism and returns were ensured. Education is now being discussed and new investments are being made in the Azaz region, which was known for years as a terrorist center. Rector of Selçuk University Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy also made a series of contacts in Azaz Region. During the visit, decisions were taken to cooperate in health, education and social fields.

          RECTOR PROF. DR. AKSOY ATTENDED A CONFERENCE IN SYRIA

Selcuk University Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. İlhan Çiftci and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Tuğrul Polat attended the conference titled "Turkey-Syria Brotherhood from the Seljuks to the Present", organized by Selçuk University and Yunus Emre Institute and held in the Azez Region of Syria. Speaking at the conference, Rector Prof. Dr. Aksoy said, "Azaz Region and Afrin, which were largely liberated from terrorist organizations with the Euphrates Shield, Peace Spring and Olive Branch Operations carried out by our Turkish Armed Forces, is a critical region for Türkiye. The operation aimed to ensure security and stability in this region, to neutralize terrorists belonging to PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and DAESH, and to liberate the friendly and brotherly people of the region from the oppression and persecution of terrorists."

                       "AS SELÇUK UNIVERSITY WE ARE READY TO SUPPORT"

Stating that Selçuk University and Yunus Emre Institute will cooperate for the social organizations and educational activities to be carried out in Azaz Region, Rector Prof. Dr. Aksoy said: "We all know the saying 'Geography is destiny'. The balance of power in the Middle East changed with the Great Seljuk and Ottoman States established as a result of the Turks' arrival in these lands called the 'Fertile Crescent'. Since then, the unity of heart that we have established with our Syrian brothers and sisters and the brotherhood of religion, which is our common ground, have drawn the attention of some occupying powers to the region. The conflict, which was defined as the Crusades that day, today tries to disrupt our spiritual unity and brotherhood with other names. It is no coincidence that we live in these lands as two neighboring countries. Together we will strengthen our centuries-old brotherhood. We firmly believe that we will transform the destiny of this geography into a future full of peace and tranquility thanks to the friendship and unity that we have built between us day by day. We, as Selçuk University, are here to show that we stand by the Syrian people who have been forced to live under the oppression of terrorists and whose freedoms have been restricted in their own country for years. Our ultimate goal is to strengthen our ties of friendship that go back thousands of years. We know that only when we break these spiritual ties we will give an opportunity to the insidious forces that are making treacherous plans over the region. We are confident that if we strengthen our cultural unity nourished by these blessed lands, we will frustrate the treacherous plans. Türkiye has taken important steps to ensure a climate of peace in this geography and will continue to do so. As Selçuk University, we are ready to provide the support we can for the organization of health, education and social programs."

                  STEPS TOWARDS COOPERATION WERE TAKEN IN CONTACTS

Rector Prof. Dr. Aksoy and the accompanying administration visited the Azez Refugee Camp and received information from the authorities about the work carried out here, living spaces and needs, and also met with families and children and listened to their problems and demands. The next stop of the Selçuk University administration, which later made contacts at Azez Vatan Hospital and the Military Base Area, was the Free Aleppo University. After the meeting with the Rector Prof. Dr. Abdul Aziz Aldoghaim, students were also interviewed and it was decided to cooperate in order to overcome the deficiencies. In the meeting held with faculty members, students and local council members at the Syrian Yunus Emre Institute Education and Culture Center, it was decided to start cooperation with the Yunus Emre Institute for the studies to be carried out together.

Rector of Selçuk University Prof. Dr. Metin Aksoy, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. İlhan Çiftci and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Tuğrul Polat, who participated in the Traditional Archery Tournament organized in Azez in northern Syria for the 568th anniversary of the conquest of Istanbul, visited Kilis Governor Recep Soytürk on their return from Syria and shared their impressions about the contacts. It was decided to cooperate with the Governorship of Kilis for the organizations to be carried out in the fields of health, education and social areas in Syria in the future.