On March 26, 2021, within the framework of the 25th-anniversary celebration events of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Student Council Presidency and International Student Coordination have organized the Closing Ceremony of Afghanistan Week as the continuation of the 'Country Weeks' series, which was coordinated by the Office of Student’s Affairs. This program was held via Google Meet where the Rector of our University, Vice-Rector, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Bishkek, Heads of Departments, guests, and students have taken part in.

     In the opening speech, the Vice-Rector of Manas University Prof. Dr. Anvarbek Mokeev gave brief information about the Afghan students. After that, the Rector of our University Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan mentioned, ‘I would like to see more Afghan students at our university. We will negotiate about it with the dear ambassador. Afghanistan is very important for us. After the pandemic, I wish to visit Afghanistan. So keep your tea ready, because I may suddenly come to our students for visit at any moment. Besides, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who made a big contribution to this program.’

     Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Bishkek, General Bismillah Waziri said, ‘First of all, please accept my congratulations on the occasion of the celebration of your University’s 25th anniversary and my sincere wishes for the. I am extremely proud of your initiative to celebrate Afghanistan Week at Manas University. I seize this occasion to congratulate you all on the belated Nevruz Holiday. On behalf of my government, I wish to express my gratitude for accepting Afghan students to your university. Dear students, take advantage of this opportunity you have gained and make efforts to do your best in your department. You are the future of your country. So you must make a great contribution to Afghanistan's future. Your future is bright. Once again I am thankful to Turkey and Kyrgyzstan’.

     Afterward, there was an introductory presentation about Afghanistan by Enayetullah Sayeed Halil. One of our students Sadya Tallash has presented a poem about Motherland. Besides, parents of Afghan students made their short speeches and pointed that they were proud of their children due to studying at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University with a high-quality education. Furthermore, our 2013-2014 alumnus Ali Sher Osman, who currently serves at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Bishkek, shared his thoughts about University's significant contribution to his life and highlighted that 70% life guarantee owing to graduation from Manas University. While studying at Manas University he was able to upgrade himself in every field such as improving language skills, exchanging cultures, acquaintance with new friends, and so on. Additionally, the graduate pointed he has missed university life.

     At the end of the program, participants have taken souvenir photos and enjoyed the marvelous Persian song.

Prepared by: Muhammed Ramazan Kurtoglu

Translated by: Adina Rashidova