BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that his government has expanded access to quality higher education across Anatolia, enabling students to pursue university education in their own cities.
Erdoğan made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2026–2027 Higher Education Academic Year, held at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center. He wished students, academics and universities a productive new academic year and congratulated scientists and universities receiving the 2026 Council of Higher Education Outstanding Achievement Awards.
Addressing the audience, Erdoğan said Turkey had mobilized resources so that young people could receive education without having to leave their home cities. He also emphasized the importance of research, academic publications and continued achievements by Turkish universities.
During his speech, Erdoğan referred to a musical performance by the Harran University Polyphonic Choir dedicated to children in Gaza. He said Turkey would continue to remember and support Palestinian children affected by the conflict and expressed condolences for those killed in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Erdoğan also spoke extensively about the historical development of science and education across the wider region. Referring to cities including Baghdad, Istanbul, Cairo, Samarkand, Nishapur, Bukhara, Iznik and Bursa, he highlighted the role of scholars, students, educational institutions and madrasas in developing and disseminating knowledge across a broad geographical area.
He argued that the intellectual heritage of the region contributed to the development of education beyond its borders and said knowledge produced in these institutions was carried to different parts of the world by their students.
Erdoğan stressed that Turkey’s historical legacy should not simply be a source of pride but should provide inspiration for future generations. He also emphasized the relationship between knowledge, meaning and the pursuit of truth, describing scientific inquiry as a means of approaching truth and deepening understanding.
