Language schools and service providers from around the world were honoured last week with the first ever awards presented by a Turkish association of education agencies – the Association of International Educational Counselors Turkey (UED). Accolades were given to institutions and companies in 16 different categories.
The awards were organised to highlight the unique necessities the Turkish market has and recognise education companies who give good service to Turkish agents, according to UED.
“In the international education counselling sector, there are other awards but we always think the Turkish market and the Turkish agents and students have different needs,” said Gokhan Islamoglu a coordinator at UED.
The Best English Language School titles were given to leading institutions in top destinations. The London School of English was recognised in the UK, ELS Language Centers in the USA and Australia, ILAC in Canada, European School of English in Malta and Centre of English Studies in Ireland.
Study Group-owned Embassy English was named the Best Chain School.
“The winners were chosen among the three most nominated candidates for each category by UED’s directors”
Best German Language School was awarded to did while French in Normandy was named Best French Language School.
Elsewhere in continental Europe, Enforex was recognised as Best Spanish Language School and multi-centred Linguaviva as the top Italian language school.
UED members and award winners
Titles for Best Summer Language Schools were also awarded– Humboldt Institut for German, Azurlingua for French and Studio Cambridge for English.
Turkish agents also voted Guard Me as the Best Travel Insurance Provider and Turkish Airlines as the “Best Airline”.
Winners were decided after all 40 UED member agencies presented their top candidates for each category. The winners were then chosen among the three most nominated candidates for each category by UED’s directors.
Accommodation, lesson quality and fast responses are top priorities
Gulcin Taskin director of Genctur agency in Turkey confirmed that the Turkish demand is distinct because of its young population. Accommodation, lesson quality and fast responses are top priorities, she said.
“A quick response is important because Turkish students need visas for many countries. The answers should be very quick and the process should be very quick because we can receive very late demands from the parents or students,” Taksin explained.
The awards were given in Istanbul last week as part of UED’s annual general meeting. UED is set to accept three new member agencies taking its membership up to 43.
Around 230 agents are responsible for sending 60,000 Turkish students abroad every year. According to UED coordinators, its members account for 60% of all agency business in the country.
