Scholarships as development assistance: an empirical analysis of the outcomes of the Turkish government funded scholarship programs

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the developmental effectiveness of Türkiye’s government-funded international scholarship programs within the framework of education-oriented foreign aid. While Türkiye’s programs have been widely discussed in terms of soft power and public diplomacy, their developmental dimensions—such as access to education, human capital formation, and contributions to social change—remain underexplored and empirically untested. The main research question asks: How effective are Türkiye’s international scholarship programs in achieving their stated and implicit developmental objectives? Two sub-questions explore the developmental goals policymakers associate with these programs and the extent of alums contributions to their home countries’ development. Using a qualitative and evaluative approach, the study analyzes 37 policy documents and five elite interviews to build a Theory of Change (ToC). This ToC is tested through 44 in-depth alums interviews conducted in Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, and Egypt, representing Central Asia, the Balkans, and the MENA region. The data are thematically analyzed using MAXQDA software, applying an extended Kirkpatrick model that assesses reaction, learning, behavior, organizational impact, and external outcomes. Findings reveal partial effectiveness: alums contribute meaningfully in sectors such as education, governance, and entrepreneurship. However, home-country constraints, insufficient academic preparation, and lack of post-graduation support limit long-term impact. The dissertation concludes with nine policy recommendations, five focusing on program design (e.g., return incentives, academic quality) and four on institutional reform (e.g., coordination, alums engagement), aiming to strengthen the developmental role of Türkiye’s scholarship programs.