The 2027 Presidential Annual Program included new regulations regarding the higher education system.
Within the scope of the program, it is planned to increase the quality of academic staff, reshape university quotas according to sectoral and regional needs, review open education programs and create new benchmarks in doctoral education.
CENTRAL LOWER LIMIT FOR APPOINTMENT AND PROMOTION
One of the prominent topics in the program was academic appointment and promotion criteria.
Accordingly, a central lower limit will be imposed on the appointment and promotion criteria determined by universities for academic staff.
The legislative work regarding this regulation is aimed to be completed in 2027.
QUOTAS WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON WORKFORCE NEEDS
When determining the quotas at universities, not only the physical and academic capacity of the institutions, but also the current situation in the labor market and future predictions will be taken into account.
Regional needs and sectoral workforce supply-demand balance will also be part of quota planning.
It is also planned to develop new models to increase cooperation between universities through field-based matching.
THE WEIGHT OF OPEN EDUCATION WILL BE REDUCED
Open education programs will also be reviewed.
It is envisaged that the programs will be evaluated in line with sectoral needs and the weight of open education in the higher education system will be reduced.
It is planned to re-determine the quotas in open education programs, where secondary school graduates continue their higher education, according to the quality of the programs.
It is also aimed to restructure open education around the axis of adult education and lifelong learning.
THE PERFORMANCE OF UNIVERSITIES WILL BE MONITORED
It is aimed to disseminate data-based policy development processes in the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and universities.
Current data on the performance indicators of universities will be monitored regularly and evaluation reports will be shared with the public at regular intervals.
Increasing the effectiveness of the "Regional Development-Focused Mission Differentiation and Specialization Project" is also among the targets in the annual program.
EMPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE OF GRADUATES WILL BE MONITORED
It is planned to include sector representatives more in the training processes in order to increase the professional competencies of university students and graduates.
It is aimed to prepare programs, determine professional qualifications and carry out practical training together with the sector.
While the capacity of career centers at universities will be increased, it is envisaged that career guidance and consultancy services for students and graduates will also be expanded.
The performances of graduates in the labor market will be monitored regularly, and the developments of universities in this field will be followed comparatively.
JOINT TRAINING MODELS WITH INDUSTRY
Industry collaborations and joint education models will be developed in order to increase the professional and technical experience of students in the fields in which universities are competent.
In this context, it is planned to reflect university-industry cooperation more in educational processes.
TR-YÖS STEP FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The program also included targets for international students.
Studies will be carried out to ensure that universities accept international students based solely on the Turkish International Student Admission Exam (TR-YÖS) organized by ÖSYM.
Increasing the number of qualified international students is also among the goals.
EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN ACADEMICS WILL BE SUPPORTED
It is planned to make arrangements that will facilitate and encourage the employment of foreign PhD researchers and academics in needed fields in Turkey.
It is especially aimed to support qualified international scientists to work in universities.
PhD PROGRAMS WILL BE RE-EVALUATED
Doctoral programs and student admission conditions will also be reviewed.
It is planned to create doctoral programs appropriate to the competency analysis and specialization areas of universities, and to rearrange the criteria for opening new doctoral programs in a way that will increase the quality.
Studies will also be carried out to develop joint doctoral programs with universities that stand out in international rankings.
