The Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer attended the 263rd Interuniversity Board (ÜAK) meeting, where current developments in the field of higher education were discussed.
The meeting was held at the Council of Higher Education of Türkiye and chaired by the President of the Council Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar. Rectors from state and foundation universities across Türkiye participated in the meeting. Discussions focused on policies shaping the future of higher education, academic development processes, and the role of universities in social and economic development.
President Özvar: “Higher Education Has Become a Strategic Platform”
In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar emphasized that higher education today ia more than being a space solely for teaching and learning. He stated:
“Higher education is more than a field where teaching and learning activities take place; it has become a strategic platform where countries’ development capacity, the quality of human capital, productive strength, and international competitiveness are shaped.”
Özvar also stressed that the academic prestige of universities is no longer measured only by the number of scientific publications. Increasing employment opportunities for graduates and the contribution of universities to the national economy have also become key indicators.
President Prof. Dr. Özvar: “We are going to Train Academic Staff for IT-Based Programs”
Addressing the rapid development in information technology fields, Özvar announced that a new model is being developed to train qualified academic staff for IT-based programs. He explained:
“We have obtained the necessary staff approval through discussions with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the Presidency of Strategy and Budget. We will organize a centralized examination for bachelor’s graduates from different fields. Those who succeed will be given the opportunity to pursue graduate education in IT-based programs. Afterwards, they will be employed in relevant programs at our universities. In this way, we will take an important step toward meeting the need for qualified academic staff in newly established programs.”
President Özvar: “Vocational Schools Are at the Center of Transformation”
Özvar also highlighted that global transformation is creating demand for new skills in the labor market. He noted that areas such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, automation, green transformation, and sustainability are shaping the professions of the future. Emphasizing the crucial role of vocational schools in this transformation, he underlined the importance of workplace-based applied vocational training. He stated:
“Applied education already exists within our system. Our goal is to standardize it, expand its scope, and institutionalize it in a way that aligns closely with industry needs.”
The 263rd Interuniversity Council Meeting, where key issues regarding the development of higher education in Türkiye were discussed, concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill.
