Istanbul Aydın University President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın participated the TOBB Higher Education Council Consultation Meeting hosted by Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Higher Education Council (YÖK). The meeting comprehensively discussed the future of the Turkish higher education system and the roles of foundation higher education institutions in this future.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar highlighted that the high increases in tuition fees could negatively impact the sustainability of education and the reliability of institutions. He emphasized that ensuring students are not harmed should be the top priority and stated that they expected foundation universities to continue their efforts to increase international student numbers. Özvar also noted the importance of showing the same level of sensitivity to international students as is shown to Turkish students and emphasized that developments that could harm the international reputation of the higher education system would be addressed with care.
Prof. Dr. Özvar further stated that programs that do not offer adequate opportunities in the labor market for graduates will not be allowed, and new programs that meet the expectations of the business world and the private sector should replace them. He mentioned that programs whose importance has diminished due to emerging technologies will also undergo transformation in foundation universities, with the quotas for programs with reduced relevance to employment gradually being decreased, and second-degree programs being entirely removed.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, President of Istanbul Aydın University, emphasized the importance of the meeting, where higher education issues and solutions were discussed. Prof. Dr. Aydın thanked YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar for his solution-oriented approach.
