Central Asian studies in Turkey: a content analysis of academicsStudies (graduate theses)

Abstract

Concepts of culture, religion and language in common are among those parameters of fundamental significance for economic, social and political relationships. Although Central Asia and Turkey have these things in common, bilateral relations are not as much as desired. Among the underlying reasons are, particularly, deliberate design of these countries by Russia, failure of these nations to establish their own political identities after their independence and Turkey’s own issues and its restricted economic structure. Considered as a whole, the region has a great economic potential with its vast mineral deposit reserves, especially oil and natural gas. Common use of this economic potential should be reconsidered in terms of both region in general and countries in particular. Increase of joint academic publication and site studies quantitatively and qualitatively would make it easy to establish partnerships. From this point of view, publications made in the framework of graduate studies in Turkey should be examined and this field should be supported with incentives.