The official opening of Yunus Emre Institute's Kuala Lumpur Branch has been made by First Lady Emine Erdoğan.

In her keynote speech, Emine Erdoğan stated that the two nations were able to act in unison despite the geographic distance between them. "Yunus Emre said, 'Come, let us all be friends for once'. This greeting which we strive to take everywhere around the world is the pillar of our Institutes. The best way to be acquainted with each other is cultural rapprochement. I believe that the Institute will further reinforce the friendship between the two countries," she said.

During the opening, also attended by Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, Emine Erdoğan and the delegation accompanying her toured around inside the Institute's building and visited the "Ottoman Era Turkish Archery in Miniatures" exhibition.

Yunus Emre Institute's Kuala Lumpur Branch

The Institute has been conducting its activities in Malaysia since spring in 2017, and 731 students in Malaysia and 1,517 students in Thailand have learned Turkish in the courses held in three terms (fall, spring and summer). 

In addition, a protocol has been signed with nine universities and three colleges in Malaysia to add Turkish as an elective course to the curriculum under the "My Choice Is Turkish Project."

As part of the activities for ensuring that Turkish is taught as an elective foreign language course at universities in Malaysia and Thailand, the Institute also lends support to the efforts for improving physical conditions in schools and providing education materials. It also organizes various activities and "In-Service Training" seminars for the professional development of teachers.

The protocol the Institute signed with International Idrissi School under the scope of the Kemankeş (Archer) Project, implemented jointly with the Archers' Foundation, has made it possible to teach traditional Turkish archery to 198 students so far.