Maulana Azad National Urdu University Ends MoU with Turkish Institute Over Terrorism Concerns
Cancellation of the MoU
Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad has decided to terminate its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Yunus Emre Institute in Turkey, effective immediately. This decision stems from Turkey's alleged involvement in supporting terrorist activities linked to Pakistan.
Background of the Agreement
The MoU, which was established for a five-year period, facilitated the introduction of a diploma program in the Turkish language at MANUU's School of Languages, Linguistics & Indology. To support this initiative, a visiting professor was appointed, who has since returned to Turkey following the MoU's cancellation.
Official Statement from MANUU
In an official announcement, MANUU stated, "The cancellation of the MoU with the Yunus Emre Institute is a direct response to Turkey's backing of Pakistan's terrorist activities amidst ongoing Indo-Pak tensions." The university highlighted that the agreement was signed on January 2, 2024, and included provisions for a Turkish language diploma.
Impact on Other Indian Universities
MANUU's action aligns with a growing trend among Indian universities to reassess their collaborations with Turkish institutions. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was the first to suspend its partnership with Inonu University in Turkey, citing national security concerns. Similarly, Jamia Millia Islamia has also opted to suspend its collaborations with Turkish-related organizations.