Malatya Turgut Ozal University (MTU) continues to strengthen its bilateral relations with the sister country Azerbaijan. In this context, two more universities have been added to the cooperation process with Azerbaijan. MTU, which previously initiated joint activities with Sumgayit State University (SDU) and Nakhchivan State University (NDU) within the scope of bilateral cooperation, signed bilateral cooperation protocols with Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ADNSU) and Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU) located in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

In this context, MTU Rector Prof. Dr. Recep BENTLİ, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. İlhan ERDEM, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan GÖKTOLGA and Head of the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vefalı ENSER, who were welcomed with national hospitality by children at the International Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport in Azerbaijan, first attended the bilateral cooperation protocol signing ceremony held at ADNSU. Discussing the important details of the cooperation between the two universities with ADNSU Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rüfet AZİZOV, Rector BENTLİ expressed his wish that the protocol, which was prepared to strengthen scientific and academic relations and includes joint research projects, student and academician exchange programs and cooperation in various fields, would be beneficial for both universities, and expressed that such agreements would make significant contributions to the strengthening of the academic unity of the Turkic world.

Another protocol covering joint studies and academic collaborations was signed between MTU and Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU). BENTLİ, who exchanged ideas with AzTU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Nurali YUSİFBEYLİ on student and academic staff exchange, joint scientific research and joint consultancy activities at the master's and doctoral levels, and spoke about the importance of this bilateral collaboration, emphasized that he believed that productive results would be obtained from the joint studies.

Rector BENTLİ, who also participated as the honorary president in the 1st International Congress titled “Current Problems of Effective Use of Economic Resources of Turkic Speaking Countries” organized jointly by MTÜ, Osh State University of Kyrgyzstan and Sumgayit State University in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan, spoke in his opening speech about the importance of strengthening economic relations among Turkic states and cooperation in the field of sustainable development. BENTLİ, who also made a presentation titled “Economic Activity of Turkic States in Central Asia” at the congress attended by rectors of Azerbaijani universities and directors of various educational and research institutions, spoke about the acceleration of the integration process among Turkic states in recent years and the importance of the potential access of the region’s natural and economic resources to world markets.

On the other hand, BENTLİ emphasized that in the meeting held with SDU Rector Prof. Dr. Eminağa SADIGOV before the congress, they evaluated concrete steps that will further advance the existing cooperation between the two universities, wishing that this meaningful meeting will further strengthen the academic and cultural ties between the two brotherly countries and thanked the SDU administration and all stakeholders for their kind hosting and contributions.