The Prime Ministry's Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) said nearly 108,000 international students from 180 different countries are studying in Turkey. YTB acting President Ahmet Algan told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the number of students studying on Turkish scholarships has surpassed 20,000, adding that these scholarships will play an important role in Turkey's goal of reaching 350,000 international students.

He said more and more students are flying abroad for higher education studies due to an improvement in communication and transportation.

Nearly five million students are registered in higher education boards of countries that they are not citizens of. "According to estimates, the number of international students across the world will reach 10 million in 2025," Algan added.

He asserted that Turkey began to receive more students with agreements made with various countries and universities. "Turkey's successful infrastructure and foreign policy moves beginning in the 2000s has required the country to revise its policy on the mobility of international students, a matter that has become more important than ever. "In this context, Turkey Scholarships was established in 2012 with nearly 20 public institutions and organizations coming together and working on educational trends in the world," he said.

With the scholarship program, international students are able to obtain an education in prestigious universities in Turkey, said Algan. "Turkey Scholarships is one of those rare international programs that include university placements. It pays above standard monthly stipends to beneficiaries and covers accommodation, general health insurance, tuition fee, Turkish language education and one-time arrival and departure transport cost," he added.

The scholarship, which only caters to foreign nationals, can be applied for online during a specific time of the year. Students who pass the first assessment phase are interviewed by global academics and experts. Algan said in 1992 the number of international students in higher education institutes was nearly 50,000. Since 2012, the country has hosted 40,000 international students including Syrians. Nearly 150,000 alumni from Turkish universities are spread across 160 countries, he said.