{
  "id": 18829894,
  "title": "Mara to double number of students sent to Turkiye next year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/mara-to-double-number-of-students-sent-to-turkiye-next-year",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T01:18:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1573100/mara-double-number-students-sent-turkiye-next-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ISTANBUL: Malaysian students are set to benefit from a significant increase in higher education opportunities in Türkiye, with the number of sponsored students doubling next year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Malaysian government's initiative aims to strengthen academic ties between the two nations. Zahid assured that at least twice as many Malaysian students will be sent to Türkiye's universities compared to the previous year. The inaugural batch of 17 students, chosen from top preparatory colleges, will commence their four-year studies at Sabanci University in September, following directives from Zahid. These exceptional students, selected based on their outstanding performance from the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level, are pursuing degrees in various fields, including computer science, engineering, bioengineering, and finance. They were accompanied by Zahid, Foreign Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, and Malaysia's Honorary Consul in Bursa, Datuk Cevdet Sefer, during a dinner held in Türkiye.",
  "summary": "ISTANBUL: More Malaysian students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education in Türkiye next year, with Mara planning to double its sponsorship intake.",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysian students' number to double to Türkiye universities next year.",
    "17 inaugural students to study at Sabanci University in September.",
    "Selected from top preparatory colleges based on SPM performance."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Expanding the scholarship quota signals a strategic push to deepen academic cooperation and provides high-achieving Malaysian students with diverse technical pathways through Turkish higher education institutions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : MARA To Double Number Of Sponsored Students In Turkiye Next Year - DPM Zahid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/general-mara-to-double-number-of-sponsored-students-in-turkiye-next",
        "published": "2026-11-07T23:22:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}