A high- level delegation from the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Turkey, led by Deputy Minister Ömer Faruk Yelkenci, visited the University Clinical Center Tuzla. The delegation included Chief of Staff Ali Rız Aksoy, Education Advisor at the Turkish Embassy in Sarajevo Birol Çetin, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute in Bosnia and Herzegovina Mehmet Akif Yaman, Secretary Ümit Ulvi Türk, and Zerine Džanbegović-Lisica from the Education Office of the Turkish Embassy in Sarajevo.
The guests were welcomed by the Director of the University Clinical Center Tuzla, Prof. Dr. Šekib Umihanić, President of the Board of Directors Emir Softić, Minister of Education and Science of the Tuzla Canton Dr. Ahmed Omerović, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Tuzla Prof. Dr. Farid Ljuca, Assistant Director for Medical Affairs Prof. Dr. Igor Hudić, Assistant Director for Economic and Financial Affairs Emir Kikanović, Assistant Director for Teaching and Scientific Research Prof. Dr. Ervin Alibegović, and Assistant Director for Nursing Šefik Husić.
The visit highlighted the mutual intention to enhance collaboration in the field of medical education and to strengthen institutional ties between the two countries.
According to Ömer Faruk Yelkenci, the Turkish delegation aims to share the educational reforms introduced in the Republic of Turkey with colleagues and partners in the Tuzla Canton.
“The Turkish Century Maarif Model is a reform initiative, an educational program that we began implementing in schools across Turkey in the 2024/25 academic year. It represents a paradigm shift in our approach to education and training, aligning them with current needs and global developments. Our goal is to integrate the natural and social sciences through both horizontal and vertical structures, ensuring that these fields complement rather than exclude one another. We believe that this approach will help us raise new generations who are not merely passive consumers of what is offered to them, but individuals who actively participate in the learning process and contribute to shaping the future and all aspects of further education,” said Deputy Minister Yelkenci.
Expressing his appreciation for the interest shown in the University Clinical Center Tuzla, Director Prof. Dr. Šekib Umihanić presented the delegation with the institution’s organizational structure, capacities, and key ongoing projects. “Following the challenging period of the COVID- 19 pandemic, we have, over the past two years and with the support of the Government of the Tuzla Canton, invested substantial resources in renewing and upgrading essential medical equipment to elevate the quality of healthcare. Our goal is to direct major investments not only toward equipment but also toward the education and professional development of medical staff. I proposed to our guests the establishment of mutual cooperation in the training of young doctors, residents, and subspecialists in the Republic of Turkey,” emphasized Director Umihanić.
