Turkey is investing heavily in education, research and innovation, aiming to become one of the world’s top ten economies by 2023. The country’s transition from an agrarian economy to a developed, newly industrialised market has been swift. With a young and growing population driving demand in communication, housing and education, Turkey’s large urban consumer markets are flourishing and it is increasingly attractive to business investment. The higher education sector has also expanded rapidly in recent years, with the number of universities in Turkey increasing by 114 per cent between 2003 and 2012. Likewise, the government is implementing initiatives to increase academic capacity and quality to compete in the international arena, all of which are helping Turkey become a more popular study destination globally. Additionally, the number of Turkish students studying abroad has increased over the last ten years, and in 2010 the figure had reached almost 50,000. 

This report provides a better understanding of how Turkey, with its robust economy and increasing influence on the world stage, offers many opportunities for international academic collaborations and partnerships.