Students from more than a hundred countries come to Turkey for studies, the Diyanet Foundation, the charity arm of Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs, said yesterday.

The foundation said it brings together students from 110 countries through the various programs it offers, including the religious Imam-Hatip high schools, the International Theology Program and the International Student Program.

The foundation added that it has given TL 56 million ($16 million) in scholarships to more than 240,000 students so far, and is currently supporting 2,140 international students. This year, 700 out of 5,336 potential students were selected after a rigorous round of interviews. These students are enrolled in the Imam-Hatip high schools and theology faculties in Istanbul, Bursa, Kayseri, Konya and Ankara provinces.