The President of the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, received on Saturday His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Mauritania, Prof. Yacoub Ould Moine, and the accompanying delegation as part of an official visit aimed at advancing academic and research relations between the two brotherly countries.
The meeting reflected the shared commitment of both countries to investing in higher education and scientific research as key drivers of sustainable development and innovation, while also highlighting the deep historical and fraternal ties between Mauritania and Türkiye.
The high-level meeting culminated in the signing of a comprehensive and strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on higher education cooperation. The agreement was signed on behalf of Mauritania by Dr. Yacoub Ould Moine, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and on behalf of Türkiye by Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education.
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish an institutional framework for academic, student, and research exchanges between universities in both countries; encourage the development of joint partnerships and academic programs; promote the exchange of educational resources and expertise in the fields of digital transformation and technical education; and facilitate cooperation in the recognition of academic qualifications, while ensuring effective protection of intellectual property rights throughout its five-year validity period.
Following the meeting and the signing ceremony, the Minister and his delegation embarked on a series of visits to several leading academic and higher education institutions in Istanbul. The tour began with a visit to Yıldız Technical University, where the delegation was introduced to Türkiye’s distinguished experience in engineering and applied sciences.
The delegation also visited Bahçeşehir University, where His Excellency held discussions with university leaders on student exchange programs, academic and knowledge cooperation, and opportunities for strengthening institutional and academic capacity-building between the two sides.
In a statement following the signing ceremony, Dr. Yacoub Ould Moine emphasized that the agreement reflects the shared determination of both countries to enhance the quality of higher education and create new opportunities for Mauritanian students and researchers to benefit from the advanced expertise and technologies available within the Turkish higher education system.
The meetings and visits were attended by senior officials and representatives of the higher education sector from both countries, presidents of the concerned universities, and His Excellency Mr. Sidi Ahmed El Bekaye Ould Hamady, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the Republic of Türkiye.
