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A group of Kyrgyz youth living in the village of Ulupamir in Van visited Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU) as part of their Kyrgyzstan program and met with Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan. During the meeting, held within the scope of a cultural project carried out by the Genç Kenesh Education and Culture Association, topics such as strengthening the youths' cultural ties with Kyrgyzstan, educational opportunities, and potential future projects for Ulupamir were discussed.

Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan expressed interest in the youth and stated that the Ulupamir Kyrgyz represent a unique example of historical and cultural ties between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan. Expressing that the young people visiting from Ulupamir represent a new generation capable of establishing strong connections with both countries, Prof. Dr. Ceylan highlighted the importance of passing these bonds down to future generations through education and culture.

Manas University: An Educational Bridge for Ulupamir Youth

Touching upon KTMU's role in education, science, and culture between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan, Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan emphasized that the university attaches great importance to developing ties with young people across different regions of the Turkic World.

Inviting the youth of Ulupamir to view Manas University as their own university, Prof. Dr. Ceylan encouraged them to make use of the opportunities provided by KTMU in their future academic lives. Drawing attention to the international academic structure of the university, where students from various countries and cultural backgrounds come together, Ceylan stated that KTMU serves as an important meeting point that enables the creation of new bonds among young generations nurtured by a shared history and culture.

Prof. Dr. Ceylan noted the significance of transforming the relationship with Ulupamir youth into a long-term educational and cultural interaction, adding that the university remains open to collaborations in this direction.

Educational Cooperation for Ulupamir to Be Strengthened

The meeting also addressed the development of educational initiatives for young people living in Ulupamir. Through the planned efforts, the goal is to support the education of Ulupamir youth, reinforce their connection to the Kyrgyz language and culture, and establish a more sustainable bond with KTMU. This approach aims to elevate current cultural interactions into a long-term, education-based institutional partnership framework.

Preserving Cultural Heritage with Future Generations

Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan expressed his gratitude to Abdullah Eren, President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), for supporting the project that enabled the youth of Ulupamir to visit their ancestral lands.

Stating that KTMU highly values efforts contributing to the preservation and transmission of the shared cultural heritage of the Turkic World to younger generations, Prof. Dr. Ceylan affirmed that they will continue to support the development of new projects in education, culture, and youth affairs.

Bonds with Ancestral Lands Strengthen Through Culture and Language

Founded in Van in 2021, the Genç Kenesh Education and Culture Association conducts initiatives to support the educational, cultural, and social development of Kyrgyz youth living in Ulupamir. Featuring a 15-person dance group within, the association organizes activities to help young people discover Kyrgyz culture, keep traditional values alive, and strengthen their sense of cultural identity. As part of the program, the youth visited key historical, cultural, and natural heritage sites across Kyrgyzstan, including Issyk-Kul, Jeti-Oguz, Karakol, Arashan, Cholpon-Ata, Ata-Beyit, and Ala-Archa.