The "Student and Academic Staff Exchange Programme between Higher Education Institutions", commonly known as the Farabi Exchange Programme, is an exchange programme for students and academic staff between higher education institutions—including universities and institutes of technology—that offer education and training at associate degree, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. As staff mobility has been suspended by the Higher Education Executive Board Decision dated 22 December 2010 until further notice, the Programme covers student exchange only.

The Farabi Exchange Programme is a scheme involving universities (both state and foundation-funded) and high-tech institutes within Turkey. In order for a higher education institution to participate in the student exchange scheme under the Programme, it must sign a protocol with other higher education institutions. The scope of the exchange is limited to the programmes available on a reciprocal basis.

The Exchange Programme enables students enrolled at a higher education institution in Turkey to continue their studies at another higher education institution for one (autumn) or two (autumn and spring) semesters.