PROF. Dr. TALIP ALP, who studied at Manchester University, England, and is presently Vice President (Vice Rector) of Yalova University in Turkey, explained how and why Turkey has achieved tremendous growth in all walks of life. In an interview with MOHAMMAD NAUSHAD KHAN during his recent sojourn in New Delhi, he also wished Turkey to lead the way for other developing counties in the near future.
How do you see the quality of education in Turkey as compared to that in India?
Frankly speaking, I am not very much informed about the educational system in India. My information is scanty and all I know is from my Indian friends in the past. I have fairly positive impression of the system of education in India which is to my knowledge very close to Anglo Indian and British system. What I have come to know that in recent years education, economy and social development is moving in the right direction. And if it moves in the right direction then surely it will benefit everybody in India including minorities and weaker and deprived sections.
In Turkey, every city has got one university and in some cities we have got more than one university. A lot of foreign students are making way to Turkey to get education, which shows that Turkish Education is in great demand. There are also some world class institutions. Last year there were five universities from Turkey listed in the top 500 universities in the world. And those not included are also doing fairly good. Now, Turkey has better understood the importance of higher learning and trying to compete with the rest of the world.
How has Turkey evolved in the last decades?
You might be aware from the press and the media that Turkey is basically a secular and democratic country. In the past, the nature of secularism and democracy witnessed some ups and downs, sometime because of the military establishment. Notably, things have changed in the past decades and now even the army has become more civilised.
It is essential that everybody should take care of his responsibility and the politicians should do their duty and the army theirs to protect the people and the country. Then only things would move in the right direction. The present government has done exceptionally well as a nonpartisan man like Tayyip Erdogan is working just like a citizen of Turkey. If you ask me, I can say that he has done marvellous development and economy has grown considerably. The country has scored remarkable success in the field of education. Presently, the number of universities, government and private, has reached to 190 in numbers. It gives an ample opportunity to every citizen in every corner of the country to get the higher education within the country. It is affordable because in the government the education is free of cost. There are some private universities that charge fees.
Turkey is now focusing the field of research and development and funds allocated in this regard have also increased tremendously. It may be little less as compared to Western countries but certainly much more as compared to what was allocated in the past. Another area where Turkey has done very well is in the health services. Hospitals in every city and town in Turkey are running very efficiently. People there are very much satisfied with the healthcare services either in private or government run hospitals. Almost in every walk of life either in infrastructure or in other sectors there has been tremendous growth and development. Turkey will soon have the biggest airport in the world.
People’s perception about Turkey has got changed much for its economic growth, infrastructural developments, transport and communications apart from all other fields. Enormous infrastructural projects are being undertaken in the form of tunnels, inter-cities and highways. These are making life easy and efficient. But we must not get satisfied for doing enough because still there are many more areas where we need to work upon. There is large deficiency in the Balance of Payment. Our imports are exceeding the exports. In recent years, exports have increased our products in demands because the quality is increasing by the day. We need to keep pace with the technological advancement with the various parts of the world.
What is your perception about India?
Although we are very far away, we have got historical relations with India and we consider it a friendly country. India is also improving in all sectors. This is my first visit. I may not have very accurate description about the situation here. What I am saying is my own personal experience and feelings. On my first visit, I have found India much better than what I had imagined about it before my visit. But frankly speaking, there are still lots of shortcomings and as a well-wisher I have to say the truth because a real friend will tell you the truth and not try to keep you always happy.
Things are improving, airports are good and it could be even better. Plainly speaking, roads are not in good shape particularly in remote areas. For example, we travelled from Varanasi to Azamgarh which is about 75 kilometres but it took three hours to reach over there. The civic sense has not yet developed and the municipality does not seem to be very active. Sanitation needs desperate improvement and roads are filled with dirt and filth. If it improves, one can live in a healthy environment. One cannot separate one part of the city from another. If disease or any epidemic spread in one part, it will definitely spread to other parts as well. So we cannot develop some part and leave others. Every city is an integral part and must concern everybody.
For any country, if the level of education increases, the overall quality of life will increase and economy too will also increase. Social condition will also improve and people will become more aware. There will be more social cohesiveness, more social and cultural proximity and cordial understanding. But it depends on what you are teaching in these institutions and how you are nurturing their minds. Education is the tool for the realisation of the objectives to develop healthy society where there is mutual trust, respect and understanding for one another.
Of course, this in an ideal; this is definitely what we all hope for and what we cherish and how much we will achieve will depend on our success and hard work. Of course, there are lots of factors which are negative and positive. The intellect which has been designed by the Almighty has a solution for every problem and if we keep on trying, we should reach our target one day. Development of one country is good for the development of other countries. A positive competition and progress of one country should not be at the cost of other countries. Politically speaking, Turkey is now acknowledged as part of the European countries. Culturally and historically we are also part of Asia.
Anything you think necessary to be told about Turkey?
Turkey has very deep rooted history and it has deep rooted Islamic traditions. Notably, Turkey has got no sense of discrimination which is very important in my opinion. Earlier, there were troubles some 25 to 30 years ago because of terrorism and everybody now knows that it was instigated by outsiders who were trying to fish in the troubled waters.
So you mean to say that Turkey has grown up over the years just because of no discrimination?
Definitely, this has been one great contribution towards the growth of Turkey. We have all the legacy of the Ottoman Empire; we have the legacy of the Byzantine. There are non-Turkish communities; not just one or two but scores of them live here. Not only from India, Turkey has also got people from Europe, like Albanians, Bosnians, Bulgarians, Serbians, Croatians even the emigrants of Russia. Turkey embraced all of them and did not ask them to leave. Turkey has acted like a compassionate mother where anyone can come and take shelter and live life without any prejudice and discrimination.
In an informal talk you said you had been aware of Radiance for long. Can you please explain it?
I have been a long time reader of Radiance. When I was a student in England, pursuing my graduation from Manchester University, I was the subscriber of this magazine. At that point of time it was in the tabloid form and I really enjoyed it. I used to gather information about social aspects in India and quality articles in Islamic perspective added more value to my knowledge about India and Islamic perspective in India and the world. I feel happy to share that it is still serving the society and I would like to receive it occasionally and would also like to recommend it to others in Turkey as a source martial.