The Yunus Emre Institute's annual Turkish Summer School Program drew students from all around the world to Turkey this year as well. The program will begin concurrently in 23 places on July 7, 2025, with Kastamonu University hosting it as well. 

The program, which aims to introduce young people from different regions to the Turkish language and culture, is conducted under the coordination of the Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center (TÖMER) at Kastamonu University. 

The opening ceremony of the program was held on July 7, 2025, in the Senate Meeting Hall of Kastamonu University. The ceremony was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan, TÖMER Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erol Topal, General Coordinator of External Relations Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Öztürk Akcaoğlu, TÖMER Deputy Director Dr. Instructor Ferda Merve Karamanoğlu, Instructor N. Demet Demirel, and Yunus Emre Institute Instructor Melisa Ecrin Bolatkol. 

Speaking at the opening, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, expressed his joy in contributing to international Turkish learning through collaboration with the Yunus Emre Institute, saying the following: "Language is the identity of a nation, the bearer of its culture." With the Turkish Summer School, we not only teach students the language; we also introduce them to our cultural values and way of life. When these students return to their countries, they become ambassadors of goodwill. We are happy to also promote the historical and natural beauties of Kastamonu during this process.

Our Rector continued his speech with the following statements: This program is not only about language teaching; it is also extremely valuable in strengthening cultural ties, promoting Turkey's values, and building bridges of goodwill." Every individual learning Turkish also has the opportunity to get to know Turkish culture, history, and hospitality.

The students who spoke at the opening ceremony expressed their satisfaction with being at Kastamonu University and stated that they were eagerly looking forward to getting to know the Turkish language and culture more closely. 

Students from 15 different countries, including Albania, France, Georgia, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Palestine, Iran, Japan, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, and Jordan, will receive 60 hours of B1-level Turkish language education as part of the program, which will continue until July 25. 

Our university will contribute to the spread of the Turkish language through the program and will also introduce the historical and cultural heritage of Kastamonu to international youth. In addition to language education, students will have the opportunity to closely experience the natural and cultural beauties of Kastamonu. Participants will also learn about Turkish values and lifestyle through a variety of social and cultural activities throughout the program.