The International Symposium on the Teaching of Turkish and the Role of Turkish Culture in Intercultural Communication was held on December 6–7, 2025, in Cologne, Germany, under the auspices of the Yunus Emre Institute, in cooperation with the Turkish Language Association and the Turkish-German University. Bringing together scholars and experts from diverse academic backgrounds, the symposium provided an important platform for in-depth discussions on the teaching of Turkish and the representation of Turkish culture in intercultural contexts.

Prof. Dr. Lokman Turan and Asst. Prof. Dr. Serdar Başutku from our University’s Department of Turkish Language Teaching attended the symposium and actively contributed to its academic content. Throughout the event, key themes such as teaching Turkish as a foreign language, cultural interaction and transmission, folk literature, diaspora studies, and cultural diplomacy were addressed through scholarly presentations and panel sessions. These discussions highlighted both theoretical perspectives and practical approaches aimed at strengthening the global teaching of Turkish and enhancing cultural understanding.

Our academics shared their expertise and experiences with participants from various countries, effectively representing our university at an international level. In addition to academic exchange, the symposium offered valuable opportunities for networking and fostering potential future collaborations among institutions and researchers. Once again, the event demonstrated the importance of such international academic initiatives in promoting the Turkish language and culture while reinforcing their role in intercultural communication and global dialogue.