On October 30, as part of a working visit to the Republic of Türkiye, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited Hacettepe University. A ceremony was held there to confer on the President of Turkmenistan the degree of «Honorary Doctor in International Relations».

At Hacettepe University, the distinguished Turkmen guest was warmly welcomed by the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz and the rector of the university Mehmet Cahit Güran.

Members of the government delegation of Turkmenistan, officials of the Republic of Türkiye, the university’s faculty, and Turkmen students studying in the friendly country also took part in the ceremony.

The first to speak at the ceremony was the university’s vice-rector, who noted the achievements of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and read out the Decision of the Academic Council of Hacettepe University to confer on the Head of Turkmenistan the degree of «Honorary Doctor in International Relations».

As stated in the Decision, the degree of «Honorary Doctor» is conferred on the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, an outstanding statesman who combines deep academic training in international relations and global security with an important state position. It recognizes the firm political will and support he has shown during his presidency in turning Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality into an active instrument of peaceful and preventive diplomacy at the UN level. It also recognizes his successful leadership of large-scale global connectivity initiatives, such as the Awaza Programme of Action, and of concepts of regional cooperation and development, as well as his role in cooperation between the Republic of Türkiye and Turkmenistan across a wide range of areas, from artificial intelligence to «smart» agriculture and joint degree programs.

Next, the rector of the university Mehmet Cahit Güran spoke. Warmly greeting those present, he noted that it was a great honor for them to host the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the university. As was emphasized, today’s event is not only a ceremony of conferring an academic degree on a prominent statesman, but also a confirmation of the commonality of history, cultural ties, and the principles of friendship and brotherhood.

Over its sixty-year history, Hacettepe University has conferred honorary doctoral degrees on statesmen for services to humanity and the Turkic world, Mehmet Cahit Güran continued, expressing deep gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov for accepting this title.

As was noted, relations between the Republic of Türkiye and Turkmenistan are based on a shared history and culture and ties of friendship and brotherhood.

Emphasizing the importance of the education system and the medical sphere for the future of our countries, the rector stressed that Hacettepe University cooperates with Turkmenistan in the field of healthcare. In this regard, Mehmet Cahit Güran congratulated the distinguished Turkmen guest on the opening, on October 9 of this year in Ashgabat, of three medical facilities: the International Scientific and Clinical Center of Oncology, the Dental Center, and the International Center of Pediatrics. He expressed the wish that these medical institutions serve for the benefit of the people of Turkmenistan.

In conclusion, the rector of Hacettepe University wished President Serdar Berdimuhamedov good health, happiness, and further success in his responsible state work, and wished the people of Turkmenistan prosperity.

The floor was then given to the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, who once again warmly welcomed the President of Turkmenistan, who had arrived in the Republic of Türkiye to take part in the 13th Summit of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States. He noted, that it was a great honor for him to take part in the ceremony of conferring on the Head of State the degree of «Honorary Doctor in International Relations» of Hacettepe University. In this regard, he expressed confidence that conferring the above-mentioned academic degree on the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov would be a weighty contribution to the development of the centuries-old relations of brotherhood and friendship between the Republic of Türkiye and Turkmenistan.

As was stressed, the title of honorary doctor is a high appraisal of the activities of individuals for outstanding services in scientific, public, and international work. Today’s ceremony is evidence of the high appraisal of the Head of Turkmenistan’s efforts to strengthen international peace and cooperation, as well as close interstate interaction.

Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz noted that the interaction of the Republic of Türkiye with Turkmenistan, the homeland, has developed since the first days of Independence on the basis of the principles of mutual trust and respect in all spheres.

Highly appraising the support the Head of State provides in developing interstate relations, bringing our peoples closer, and reviving the common cultural heritage, the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz underscored the significance of the Decision of the Academic Council of Hacettepe University to confer the degree of «Honorary Doctor in International Relations» on the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, taking into account his special services in strengthening regional and global peace and the ties of friendship between the Republic of Türkiye and Turkmenistan, and once again congratulated Arkadagly Hero-Serdar on the conferral of this academic degree.

Then, in a festive atmosphere, the President of Turkmenistan was presented with the corresponding diploma on the conferral of the degree of «Honorary Doctor in International Relations».

The floor was then given to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Greeting those present, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar expressed heartfelt gratitude to the rector of the university, Professor Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran, the members of the Academic Council, and the entire faculty for conferring the degree of «Honorary Doctor in International Relations» of Hacettepe University.

«I perceive the conferral of this honorary degree not only as an award, but also as a high appraisal of Turkmenistan’s work in developing international relations, strengthening peace and trust, and expanding cooperation between states», noted Arkadagly Hero-Serdar, expressing confidence that this fact also serves as confirmation of friendly Turkmen-Turkish relations and of historical and spiritual closeness.

The development of the scientific and educational sphere is one of the priority areas of Turkmenistan’s state policy. Great attention is paid in our country to forming a modern education system, strengthening the material and technical base of scientific and educational institutions, and introducing advanced methods into the learning process, said the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

This sphere serves as an important bridge between states and peoples, contributing to the strengthening of mutual understanding, the exchange of experience, and the achievement of shared development goals.

For centuries, our peoples have followed the principles of mutual respect, mutual support, and the preservation of common values. This historical heritage continues today to form a solid foundation for interstate dialogue.

At present, thousands of young people from Turkmenistan are studying at higher education institutions in Türkiye, gaining knowledge and acquiring skills in various fields.

The Head of State expressed confidence that cooperation between Turkmen and Turkish scientists, as well as young staff of research centers, will contribute to achieving new successes in science. At the same time, it was noted that such interaction is intended to contribute not only to improving the educational process but also to the further socio-economic development of the two countries.

Expressing confidence in reaching new heights in the future in strengthening Turkmen-Turkish ties and mutually beneficial cooperation, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished the brotherly Turkish people well-being and prosperity.

Upon completion of the ceremony, the President of Turkmenistan and the rector of Hacettepe University once again exchanged best wishes.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan