Istanbul, October 18 (QNA) – QatarDebate Center, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boğaziçi University in Turkiye. This partnership aims to foster collaboration in the fields of debating, training, and academic exchange, as part of the Center’s ongoing efforts to expand its international academic partnerships and promote a culture of dialogue and debate.

The MoU was signed for QatarDebate Center by its Executive Director Dr. Hayat Abdullah Marafi and on behalf of Boğaziçi University by its Rector Prof. Dr. Naci İNCİ. The signing took place during an official ceremony held at the university’s headquarters in Istanbul, attended by representatives from both institutions, as well as officials from the Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Istanbul.

The agreement seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two parties in organizing tournaments, dialogue-based events, and debates in Arabic, English, and Turkish. It also encompasses the delivery of workshops and training programs, as well as the exchange of expertise in training and adjudication—all aimed at developing critical thinking skills and fostering constructive dialogue among students and youth.

Furthermore, the scope of cooperation includes exploring the launch of fellowship programs for students and academics specializing in debate, developing joint academic initiatives, and organizing regional tournaments designed to broaden student participation and enhance cultural and intellectual exchange. This partnership is an extension of the efforts by the QatarDebate Center to build strategic alliances with international academic institutions. It aims to provide educational and dialogue-based platforms that bring together young people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, thereby reinforcing the role of debate as a tool for education, communication, and mutual understanding among nations.

Boğaziçi University—which traces its academic roots back to 1863—is one of Turkiye’s premier higher education institutions. It is distinguished by its long-standing academic heritage, a multicultural learning environment, and the use of English as the medium of instruction. The university’s School of Foreign Languages will oversee the coordination of collaborative efforts and the implementation of joint initiatives with the Center.

The MoU reflects the commitment of both parties to leverage their respective academic and training expertise to cultivate a generation equipped with dialogue and critical thinking skills, while also promoting the presence of debate within educational and academic settings on an international scale. (QNA)