# Atatürk University international educational outreach

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/atatrk-university-international-educational-outreach
> Updated: 2026-09-27T11:46:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Atatürk University has engaged in various international educational initiatives involving students from Iraq and Azerbaijan.

In early September, the university hosted 30 high-achieving students from Kirkuk, Iraq, as part of the Erzurum Education, Culture, and Success Program. Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu noted that the visit aimed to strengthen historical and cultural ties through education.

Later in the month, the university’s Faculty of Open and Distance Education conducted a graduation ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan. Approximately 200 students participated in the event, which Rector Hacımüftüoğlu described as a reflection of the “bridge between the two nations,” highlighting how distance education models help eliminate geographical barriers.

On September 27, 2026, the university held another graduation ceremony in Baku for approximately 200 students from the Faculty of Open and Distance Education for the 2026-2027 academic period. Attended by Rector Hacımüftüoğlu alongside diplomatic and academic representatives, the ceremony featured Azerbaijani folk dances and the playing of both Turkish and Azerbaijani national anthems. Hacımüftüoğlu characterized the event as a “bridge of hearts” between the two nations, reiterating that distance learning models serve to eliminate geographical barriers to knowledge.

## Claims

- Atatürk University is eliminating distances through its educational network. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Approximately 200 students graduated during the 2026-2027 academic period. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The graduation ceremony was organized by the Atatürk University Faculty of Open and Distance Education. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The ceremony took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The program began with the playing of the Turkish and Azerbaijani national anthems. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Atatürk University holds graduation ceremony in Baku

Atatürk University celebrated the graduation of approximately 200 distance learning students during a ceremony in Baku, highlighting educational ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atatrk-university-holds-graduation-ceremony-in-baku

### 2026-09-08: Atatürk University hosts successful students from Kirkuk

Thirty high-achieving students from Kirkuk visited Atatürk University in Erzurum as part of an educational and cultural program to strengthen historical ties through academic success.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atatrk-university-hosts-successful-students-from-kirkuk

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Cite as: Atatürk University international educational outreach. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/atatrk-university-international-educational-outreach