ANNOUNCEMENT - Athens, 31 July 2008 - The Kokkalis Foundation and Istanbul Bilgi University’s European Institute, Division of Turkish-Greek Studies, announce their cooperation in the field of Greek and Turkish Studies.
The agreement foresees a two-year collaboration during the two academic years starting from 2008 to 2010 for the mutual advancement of the purposes of both institutions. The Kokkalis Foundation will be supporting Greek-Turkish studies at Istanbul Bilgi University by offering scholarships and fellowships to Greek citizens pursuing the Master degree in International Relations with a concentration on Greek-Turkish relations at the University.
The cooperation aims at building bridges and facilitating international understanding of Greece and Turkey, in line with the Kokkalis Foundation’s mission to promote regional stability through the advancement of knowledge and education. The agreement between the two institutions also allows for prospective joint research and development activities on issues of mutual interest, as well as the co- organization of seminars, conferences, symposia and other activities.
The Division of Turkish-Greek Studies of the European Institute of Istanbul Bilgi University was established in 2005 as a teaching and research division that aims at fostering institutional collaboration between the academic communities of the two countries as well as increased student mobility, as a means to further rapprochement and strengthen bilateral relations through education.
The Division of Turkish-Greek Studies of the European Institute of Istanbul Bilgi University has offered the Master of Arts program in International Relations with a concentration on Greek-Turkish relations since its inception. Combining a solid foundation in the discipline of International Relations with a concentration on Greek-Turkish relations, the program’s curriculum is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of the theory and practice of international relations with a focus on the politics and international relations of Greece and Turkey. The program is the only one of its kind internationally and boasts a 50%-50% ratio of Greek to Turkish students. It also facilitates the interaction between prominent Greek, Turkish and international academics, hosting research fellows and supporting collaborative research on Greek-Turkish relations.
The Division of Turkish-Greek Studies at Bilgi Universtiy has established a strategic partnership with The Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) on the organization of joint events and the recruitment of students and fellows from Greece. In addition, close links have been established with a number of Greek universities as well as with teaching and research centres internationally, such as the Hellenic Observatory at the London School of Economics and Political Science; The Greek-Turkish Network at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford; and the Department of Turkish Studies and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cyprus.
