Does 4-year education in universities reduce to 3 years? Statement from YÖK President Özvar

YÖK President Prof. Dr. The highlights of Erol Özvar's statements are as follows:

-When it comes to transformation, the changes that have occurred in the field of science and technology in recent years have begun to affect all aspects of your life. Education is also among the areas it affects. Educational institutions are also affected by this transformation. Educational institutions are institutions that graduate students with diplomas. With new technologies, the knowledge and skills expected from our students are slowly starting to change. For example; Using computer programs for a while was an important achievement. It is no longer enough to use these programs. Graduating from any department is not a guarantee of this.

-Simplifying the content of the curriculum is not just reducing the number of courses. In addition, the latest developments need to be woven throughout the curriculum. Artificial intelligence must be added to the curriculum. In addition to program transformation, this is the issue of updating the curriculum.

-University and employment issues did not come together in the past. Universities should now look into this issue.

-There are programs that are easy to employ. Departments where graduates are not employed are closing. Newly opened programs approached 80. Obsolete programs are removed from the system.

(Curriculum call to universities) Curriculum should be simplified in education programs. The number of lessons should be reduced. In Türkiye, 60 undergraduate courses are taught, while in Europe, 20-25 courses are taught. Course contents should be updated. University administrations should also take steps in this regard. Artificial intelligence should be included in the course. Digital skills and artificial intelligence literacy should improve.

-When the budget increases, there is development. Türkiye came from 35th place to 13th in scientific publications in the world. We rose to 13th place in scientific publications. In the 2000s, Türkiye ranked 35th here.

-Turkish engineers have success in defense. There are 20 state and 3 foundation research universities in Türkiye.

3-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE FORMULA: WE ARE PREPARING OUR UNIVERSITIES

-The average undergraduate education period in Europe is 3 years. In some programs, 3+2 is done. For the acquisition of special competence. Architecture is like engineering. We also say; We can formulate our undergraduate credits within 180 credits. We can complete this within 3 years. We have been preparing our universities for this issue for a year. In secondary education, we have 4+4+4, 12 years of compulsory education for a young person. 16 years of time spent in official educational institutions, including 4 years of undergraduate education. As for male students, the age at which they start life with military service, internship and job search reaches 26-27. Our population is in a decreasing trend. Fertility rates have fallen. The age of marriage has been postponed. Inevitably, Türkiye's population is very critical. Let the lessons continue, and let our students take part in practical life.