About Us
Establishing the Turkic Universities Union (TURKUNIB) in order to give institutional structure to cooperation in the field of higher education among the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has been one of the priority agenda items since the founding of the Organization. The Union aims to strengthen inter-university cooperation on the basis of shared history, culture, and linguistic heritage, to increase student and academic staff mobility, and to create a common Turkic higher education area.
Today, TURKUNIB has grown into a wide-ranging program encompassing 170 universities located in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Hungary, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which are member or observer states of the OTS.
The Orhun Student and Academic Staff Exchange Program is also carried out under the framework of TURKUNIB. The Orhun Exchange Program, which forms the foundation of TURKUNIB, is a joint higher education mechanism envisaging the exchange of students and academic staff among member states. Its pilot implementation was launched in the 2017–2018 academic year and has since been expanded in phases.
Mission
To advance higher education across the Turkic world by promoting excellence in teaching and research, enabling academic mobility and credit transfer among member universities, and strengthening cultural and institutional ties through joint programs such as the Orhun Exchange Program. TURKUNIB is committed to building a unified higher education ecosystem that empowers students, faculty, and institutions to collaborate across borders in pursuit of shared academic and societal goals.
Vision
A vibrant, integrated Turkic higher education area where students and scholars seamlessly collaborate across borders – driving impactful research, fostering innovation, and nurturing the next generation of scholars, leaders, and professionals who will shape a stronger, more interconnected Turkic world.
Our Goals
We focus on practical collaboration that benefits students, faculty, and institutions.
Academic Mobility
Student and staff exchange programs; mutual recognition of credits and diplomas.
Common Standards
Developing a shared credit transfer and quality assurance framework.
Cultural Integration
Programs that celebrate common history, culture, and languages.
Faculty Development
Joint training, workshops, and collaborative teaching initiatives.
Competitions & Symposia
Academic competitions, symposia, and cultural events among members.
Scholarships
Support for students and researchers focusing on the Turkic world.
Our History
Milestones that shaped the Turkic Universities Union.
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10 August 2012 — Cholpon-Ata
Initial discussions at the Meeting of Ministers of Education laid the groundwork for cooperation.
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22–23 August 2012 — Bishkek
Decisions adopted at the Second Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States.
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28–29 March 2013 — Istanbul
Directive adopted to establish a Higher Education Area among member universities of the Union.
Student Testimonials
Hear from students who have participated in our exchange programs.