Jan. 20, 2010
Contact:
Elizabeth Klipp, 404-413-1356
University Relations
ATLANTA - Georgia State University is launching a visiting scholars program with Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey.
The first group of 24 visiting scholars from Gazi University will arrive in Atlanta on Feb. 15 and pursue professional development at Georgia State for five months. A second group of Turkish scholars will arrive in July and depart in December.
Funded by Gazi University, the program will provide junior Gazi faculty with an opportunity for English language classes. Visiting scholars will also be paired up with Georgia State faculty members who will allow them to audit graduate classes, provide advice on publishing in English-language journals and potentially collaborate on scholarly projects.
Gazi faculty members are mostly assistant professors in a variety of research areas, including engineering, business, education, mathematics, public administration, biology, law, medicine, history, among others.
Georgia State University President Mark P. Becker and Gazi University Rector Riza Ayhan signed an agreement on Jan. 15 to solidify the visiting scholar program.
The two presidents also signed a general Memorandum of Cooperation that calls for future collaborations, such as hosting GSU faculty members at Gazi University, creating study abroad and student exchanges programs, developing a "2+2" undergraduate degree program in business and creating an international consortium of urban universities.
"We look forward to this as a beginning of future partnerships and collaborations," Becker said. "It's important to have these relationships to help future generations."
Gazi University is a major state-supported university located in the capital of Turkey, which has a population of 4.4 million. Gazi University was founded in 1928 and has more than 60,000 students in an urban area, similar to GSU.
"Our faculty have gone through English language instruction at home and are very excited for the opportunity to come to Georgia State," Ayhan said. "For many, this is their first time to visit the United States. In the future, we hope to expand and add other opportunities for faculty and students."