EDITORIAL

Abstract

Dear esteemed readers,

The Journal of Interdisciplinary African Studies is a multidimensional journal created with the aim of making academic publications related to the African continent more visible on an international scale. It encompasses various disciplines and strives to contribute to the global literature on Türkiye’s multidimensional policies in collaboration with the African continent. Türkiye's activities in Africa, ranging from trade to the health sector, enhance the reputation of Türkiye and its state institutions on a continent geographically distant from us. Today, the countries of the continent clearly understand that the relationships established with Türkiye are based on the principle of strong bilateral partnerships and contribute to Türkiye’s "Strong Africa, Strong Turkey" approach. As a Turkish citizen visiting rural areas far from the capitals in African countries, you are received with respect and seen as competent individuals who can offer solutions and propose methods to address problems. This is because, for nearly 20 years, Türkiye has been providing sustainable solutions to the continent and its people, supplying the necessary infrastructure and training human resources through its activities on the continent.

One of the best examples of Türkiye's emphasis on the education level of the continent's people is the presence of the Turkish Maarif Foundation in Africa. For instance, considering the Republic of Mali, the significant impact of the Turkish Maarif Foundation on the education level in Mali is evident. According to the latest DEF (2024) exam results across the country, Mali's overall success rate in education has increased by 14.44% compared to the previous year, reaching 44.46%. The contribution of Maarif schools, which have achieved nearly double the general success rate, to this increase cannot be overlooked. The Turkish Maarif Foundation Schools in Mali have increased their overall success rate in DEF exams by 13.83% compared to the previous year, reaching 88.83%, thereby significantly contributing to the development and success of the country's education system. In the second issue of our Journal of Interdisciplinary African Studies, we present six articles to our valued readers, each addressing intriguing topics and comparative studies on Africa and Türkiye. We hope that these meticulously crafted studies will be beneficial to you and wish you an enjoyable reading experience.