Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey Mosud Mannan and his accompanying delegation, who came to Samsun for a series of events, met with the Rector of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal in their office. During the visit, an MoU covering scientific, cultural and academic collaboration was signed between OMU and Bangladesh University of Asia Pacific with the participation of the Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan and the relevant authorities over the internet.
Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Fehmi Yazıcı and Prof. Dr. Recep Sancak, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gençcelep and Bangladeshi students studying at OMU also attended the visit.
Expressing their pleasure to host Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey Mosud Mannan and their delegation and to cooperate with the University of Asia Pacific, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal drew attention to the historical and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Turkey and continued as follows: “Turkey and Bangladesh, who embrace and help Myanmar Muslims, have similarities and commonalities in many aspects. Especially our Bangladeshi students studying at our University establish a bridge of heart and become an intermediary in the further development of the conversation between the two nations. I hope these students will form the pillars of the bridge that will contribute to the cooperation between the two countries when they return to their countries after receiving a good education at OMU.”
Emphasizing the importance of the development shown by Bangladesh in her region, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal said, “We attach great importance for Bangladesh to become a power that builds trust. Thus, all academic, scientific and social collaboration that will contribute to this development are very valuable for us.”
Stating that the financial and moral support that Bangladesh gave to our nation during the War of Independence was not forgotten and was told to generations through history books, Rector Ünal said “The support shown during the War of Existence was as important as blood given to the patient. For this reason, we want the two nations to take place on the stage of history with stronger relations by further developing this bond from the past. Especially academic studies are important in this respect.”
Emphasizing that both nations significantly helped each other in the process of gaining independence, Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey Mosud Mannan said, “It is pleasing to see that this bond that has been established by our ancestors still continues. We are also very happy for the academic and social collaboration between our universities. I hope the Bangladeshi students at your University will be an occasion for you to visit our country. Thus, we will have the opportunity to introduce our country and show you Bangladeshi hospitality.”
The event continued with the signing ceremony of the MoU covering scientific, cultural and academic cooperation between OMU and University of Asia Pacific. Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan, University of Asia Pacific Chairman of the Board of Trustees Shafi Sami, University of Asia Pacific Rector Prof. Dr. Sultan Mahmut and University of Asia Pacific Director of the International Relations OfficeNehreen Majed attended the ceremony online and expressed their feelings and thoughts.
Delivering the opening speech of the signing ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal stated that they expect support from Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan for the realization of the cooperation agreement that will contribute to the development of the two countries.
Noting that the relations between Turkey and Bangladesh are progressing at a very good level, Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan said, “We see this in many areas. I hope one of these will be academic collaboration. This agreement is also very important in terms of improving the relations between the two universities. I wish both universities success in this cooperation. Turkey's Embassy in Bangladesh will also provide all kinds of support for the concrete implementation of this agreement.”
After the speeches, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal and Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey Mosud Mannan signed the protocol, wishing it to be beneficial for both countries and universities. Ambassador Mosud Mannan also expressed that they were honored to sign OMU's book of honor.
After the mutual presentation of gifts, a video presentation about OMU and its activities was shown.
At the end of the visit, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal and his entourage introduced the OMU Kurupelit Campus to the guests with a campus tour. During the campus tour, Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey Mosud Mannan presented a book about the 50 years of Bangladesh to the Deans of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Cengiz Çokluk and Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Dr. Yıldıray Topcu .
The MoU, which includes academic, scientific and cultural collaboration between OMU and University of Asia Pacific, also covers student and staff exchange and project-oriented research and development studies.