The Start of Turksa

A new student organization: Turkish Student Association launches at UAlbany

Contact: Turkish Student Association (518) 442-3302

After the majority approval votes of Graduate Student Organization assembly meeting on Friday, February 10, 2006, Turkish Student Association (Turksa) is officially started. As a
recognized graduate student organization, Turksa (a widely known acronym in many other campuses) took its place among other cultural student groups adding another color to rich pallet of UAlbany student life.

According to Institute of International Education, Turkey is the top 8th country of origin for international students in the United States with 12,474 Turkish students for 2004/05 academic year. University at Albany has become a popular campus for Turkish students starting with 1990s. UAlbany International Student & Scholar Services reports a growing number of enrollments for Turkish undergraduate and graduate students.

Established with the initiation of 5 graduate students from School of Education, Business, and College of Arts & Sciences, Turksa will serve UAlbany students and faculty with a series of campus-wide activities. Turksa aims to familiarize the UAlbany community with Turkish culture and to build a network of students and academicians interested in Turkey. Facilitating transition of Turkish students, promoting friendship and understanding among diverse student groups, and contributing to the multicultural atmosphere of UAlbany are also among the organization’s goals. Membership is open to anyone interested in Turkey and the Turkish culture.

Turksa is planning to organize a panel of speakers on Turkey and two Turkish movie screenings for Spring 2006 semester. For additional information about the Turkish Student Association contact the organization via phone at (518) 442-3302; e-mail at turksa AT albany.edu; or visit their Web site at http://www.albany.edu/~turksa.

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