The Ambassador of Sri Lanka welcomed Dr Zameer Careem, the first Sri Lankan academic who was awarded a KATIP scholarship by the Office of the Presidency for Turks abroad (funded by the Government of Turkiye). Dr. Careem is currently pursuing his program at the Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University (Ankara haci Bayram Veli Universitesi) with the foreign public officials, diplomats, academic and researchers from different countries who are interested in learning Turkish language and history of Turkiye.

It is a part of Turkish soft diplomacy initiatives and it was the first time that Sri Lanka has been offered a placement.

The Ambassador welcomed Dr Careem and one of his fellow course participants, a diplomat from Belarus.

Sri Lanka already has an MoU with Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University and it was discussed how the Embassy could activate the MoU starting with enhancing engagement with the exchange students to promoting Sri Lanka.