As part of a new visiting scholars program, faculty from Gazi University in the Turkish capital of Ankara will spend five-month stints at Georgia State University learning English and developing professional skills.

The first wave of 24 scholars will arrive in Atlanta on Feb. 15. Another group plans to come in July and leave in December.

In addition to studying English, the Gazi scholars will pair up with Georgia State faculty members who will allow them to audit graduate classes and give advice on publishing in English-language journals. The partnerships could lead to collaboration on research projects.

Georgia State President Mark Becker and Gazi Rector Riza Ayhan signed an agreement Jan. 15 solidifying the program, which Gazi is funding. The presidents also agreed to explore future areas of cooperation, including study abroad programs, Gazi hosting Georgia State faculty, an undergraduate degree program in business and the creation of a global consortium of urban universities.

Gazi has more than 60,000 students. Its campus is in an urban area of Ankara, a city of about 4 million people.

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