The inter university council meeting was held at Ataturk University

Atatürk University hosted an important meeting that will shape the future of Turkey’s higher education system.

The 6th Board Meeting of the Interuniversity Council (ÜAK) for 2026 was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, with the participation of the ÜAK Term President and Rector of Kafkas University, Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Kapu, and other council members.

The meeting, hosted by the Rector of Atatürk University, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, stood out as an important platform strengthening the culture of cooperation and consultation in the field of higher education.

The participation of 18 rectors from different universities across Turkey was considered a significant step in strengthening common sense and coordination in higher education. Topics such as academic governance, quality-oriented transformation, and the development of inter-university collaborations formed the main agenda of the meeting.

Emphasis was placed on the strategic transformation process.

The opening speech of the meeting was delivered by the President of YÖK, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar. Erol Özvar drew attention to the transformation process taking place in the higher education system. Özvar stated that universities have now gone beyond being merely institutions conducting education and training activities, emphasizing that they have become strategic actors at the center of knowledge production, economic development, and social progress.

In this context, Özvar noted that a quality-focused approach, rather than a quantity-focused one, has been adopted in higher education, and that a new model prioritizing employment compatibility and social contribution is being resolutely implemented. Highlighting the importance of universities’ active participation in this transformation process, Özvar stated that a stronger higher education structure will be built through common sense and cooperation.

Innovations in undergraduate education and curriculum structure on the agenda

One of the prominent topics of the meeting was the work being done on the duration and content of undergraduate education. Prof. Dr. Özvar stated that the studies aimed at reducing undergraduate education to three years have reached a certain level of maturity, and that this issue is being addressed with a multi-dimensional approach.

In this context, it was reported that issues such as simplifying curricula, reorganizing course credits, and strengthening the regulatory framework are being meticulously evaluated. It was noted that the commissions established within the Inter-University Council are continuing their work in this area and that concrete steps are expected to be taken in the coming period.

Strengthening Applied Education and Employment-Oriented Approach

Another important topic highlighted at the meeting was applied education models. YÖK President Özvar stated that an education approach based solely on theoretical knowledge is insufficient to meet today’s needs, emphasizing the importance of introducing students to practical application at an earlier stage.

In this regard, it was stated that the goal is to expand workplace-based education models where students directly participate in production processes, instead of short-term internships. Özvar noted that there is concrete data showing that this model increases the employment rates of graduates, and stressed that universities should adapt to this transformation quickly.

Strategic Planning Takes Center Stage in Quota Policies

New approaches to higher education quotas were also discussed at the meeting. Özvar stated that quota planning is not merely a numerical issue, but a strategic area directly related to the country’s human resource planning.

Özvar stated that the academic and physical capacities of universities and the needs of the labor market were evaluated together, and that a balanced and sustainable higher education structure was aimed for. It was emphasized that this process involved cooperation with public institutions, sector representatives, and civil society organizations.

Rector Hacımüftüoğlu: “Cooperation and a quality-oriented approach are our priorities”

Following the meeting, Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu expressed his satisfaction at hosting such an important organization. Hacımüftüoğlu stated that strengthening the culture of common sense and consultation in higher education is of great importance for the development of universities.

Stating that increasing inter-university collaborations, supporting scientific productivity, and making a quality-oriented management approach sustainable are among their priorities, Hacımüftüoğlu emphasized that the evaluations made at the meeting would make significant contributions to the higher education system.

A new era is dawning in higher education.

The Interuniversity Council Board Meeting, hosted by Atatürk University, was a productive platform where important topics guiding the strategic transformation process in higher education were discussed. Strengthening academic cooperation and expanding applied education models were among the key issues addressed.