On Thursday the 16th of June 2011 Professor Dlawer A.Ala` Aldeen was warmly welcomed amid arriving Istanbul International Airport by Nimaat Chopukcho, minister of Education in Turkey and Dr. Shahryar Jav, Iraqi Consul in Istanbul.
His Excellency praised the reelection of the political party MS. Nimaat belongs to, in addition to delivering the utmost greetings from the president of Kurdistan Region and also from the prime minister to the Turkish minister. His Excellency also appreciated the vital role of Turkey in the process of developing and rebuilding Kurdistan Region.
In the meeting, many key topics were discussed such as the necessity to develop the relations among the ministries of education and higher education of both countries. The role of academic relations is very important for economic boosting, both sides said.
In the next day of the official visit, His Excellency was warmly greeted by Professor. Yusuf Zeya Ozcan, president of the council of higher education in Turkey. In the meeting both professors discussed the importance of quality in education and scientific research, they also discussed the mechanism of connecting the universities in Turkey with their counterparts in Kurdistan Region.
Professor Ozcan praised the successful planning and managing by the ministry for the scholarship program known as HCDP, he also said that the Turkish government is supporting the Kurdistan Region in many aspects which higher education is amongst.
Professor Ozcan pointed out that the University of Ankara is hoping to establish a branch in Kurdistan Region in the near future, therefore the cooperation and support of the government of Kurdistan region is very important and needed.