Education diplomacy within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States 2040 vision: Orkhun Exchange Program

This thesis aims to analyze the educational diplomacy strategies pursued within the framework of the Turkic Council's 2040 Vision Document, focusing on the impacts of the Orkhon Exchange Program. Educational diplomacy has become a critical tool of soft power that states employ to enhance their influence in the international arena. The Turkic Council's approach to educational diplomacy, rooted in shared history, language, culture, and civilization values, seks to deepen cooperation in education to support political and cultural integration. The Orkhon Exchange Program institutionalizes academic cooperation among member states and seks to increase student and faculty mobility in higher education. This study evaluates the program's implementation process, scope, objectives, and current status while examining its potential to create an integrated educational space within the Turkic world. Structural and administrative challenges encountered during the program's execution a real so discussed, along with proposed solutions. Using qualitative research methods, including document analysis and literature review, the study includes universities and educational institutions involved in the program as samples. The findings reveal the strategic dimension of higher education cooperation developed among the Turkic states. It is concluded that the Orkhon Exchange Program contributes beyond a mere student Exchange initiative by fostering a common identity and academic culture in the Turkicworld. In conclusion, educational diplomacy policies developed under the Turkic Council's 2040 Vision and the Orkhon Exchange Program, as one of its most concrete examples, hold significant potential to establish long-term strategic cooperation among member countries. Ensuring the program's sustainability and expanding its impact is crucial for strengthening regional integration within the Turkicworld. Keywords: Organization of Turkic States, Educational Diplomacy, Orkhon Exchange Program, 2040 Vision, Higher Education Cooperation