Gul opens african studies center at Ankara University

President Abdullah Gul yesterday opened a new African Studies Center at Ankara University. The center was established by the university to boost scholarly and academic cooperation between Turkey and African countries. Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Gul said that Turkey has long supported Africa and that this would continue, adding that Turkey has begun to see the fruits of its outreach to Africa. "Turkey sees the continent's problems as its own," Gul said. Stressing that those problems concern all of humanity, he also said the countries of Africa cannot be left to deal with the continent's hardships of their own. Turkey sees Africa not only as the cradle of civilization but also as the future of humanity, Gul added, saying that the continent offers great opportunities for Africans themselves. In other news, the Presidential Culture and Arts Greater Awards will be presented today in a ceremony at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Renowned Turkish novelist Yasar Kemal will get an award from President Gul, along with architect Turgut Cansever and classical composer Alaeddin Yavasca. Many writers have been invited to attend the ceremony, including novelist Adalet Agaoglu and Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk. Given on behalf of the Turkish state, the awards honor people who make significant contributions to Turkey's cultural life and the arts. President Gul is also expected to visit the southeastern province of Diyarbakir next week, at the beginning of the Muslim Sacrifice Holiday. There is no detailed information on his itinerary, but Gul is set to exchange holiday greetings with local people at the regional highway authority. Gul is also expected to meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations in the city.