The Arabic Program Department in Mardin Artuklu University, a state university, announced it will open registration for the second consecutive academic year in the four branches of the program: History, Sociology, Political Science, International Relations and Business Management.
Mardin Artuklu University teaches the material in the Arabic stream entirely in Arabic to help Syrian students who find it difficult to learn Turkish to overcome the language barrier and continue their higher education. The University has hired Syrian teaching staff to teach in the program also creating opportunities for Syrian academics at a state university.
Speaking to Eqtsad, Samir al-Sheikh Ali, a lecturer in the Sociology Department, said the Arabic branches are well-attended by Syrian students. He added that “The faculties will open the doors for registration next July.”
It is expected that the Arabic program will receive about 400 students in the upcoming academic year. Regarding the high school certification accepted by the University, al-Sheikh Ali commented, “The certificate must be issued by a recognized body, and this includes the [Syrian National] Coalition issued certification.”
Mardin Artuklu distinguishes itself among other universities offering an Arabic stream as the university fees for enrolling in the program are capped. Syrian students registering in the Arab program pay a fixed annual fee of 500 Turkish Lira (TL). Syrian students can register in Turkish Ministry of Youth dormitories, which are used by Turkish citizens and foreign students, where all residents receive two meals a day for 125 TL per month.
Mardin Artuklu’s fee contrast with the fees for the Arabic program in Gaziantep University which exceed 2000 USD annually. Dr Rashid Sheikho, a lecturer in the History Department at Mardin Artuklu pointed out that the fees are low as the administration want the Arabic program to succeed especially after the university classified Arabic as an official teaching language in the university.
Syrian students enrolling in the Arabic stream will graduate with an officially recognized degree the same as students enrolled in Turkish streams. According to Dr Sheikho, students in the Arabic program will be awarded a Turkish state university degree which is recognized locally and internationally.
Regarding the division of students within the program, Eqtsad obtained statistics indicating the Department of Political Science and Public Relations received a higher turnout than the other branches offered in the Arabic program during the current academic year
