Visit from the European University Association (EUA) to the Council of Higher Education
President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar hosted EUA President Garrell and EUA Secretary General Crowfoot at the Council of Higher Education
At the meeting held at the Council of Higher Education, the EUA delegation met with representatives of Turkish universities that are members of the union.
A consensus was reached on increasing cooperation in the fields of scientific and technological research between European universities and Turkish higher education institutions in the European Higher Education Area.
President of the Council of Higher Education Özvar: “Turkey is one of the countries most represented in EUA with more than 50 universities. More of our universities have the intention of participating in EUA. “This is a significant progress of Turkish academic institutions towards new partnerships in the European academic field.”
“As the Council of Higher Education, we support and encourage our universities in their efforts to cooperate with European universities in all areas of education and research.”
President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar, President of the European University Association (EUA) Prof. He hosted Josep M. Garrell and EUA Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot at the Council of Higher Education.
The EUA delegation, which visited Turkey in response to the invitation of the President of the Council of Higher Education, Erol Özvar, met with the representatives of the Turkish universities that are members of the union at the evaluation meeting at the Council of Higher Education.
At the meeting, a consensus was reached on increasing cooperation in the fields of scientific and technological research between European universities and Turkish higher education institutions in the European Higher Education Area.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar gave information about the structure of Turkish higher education. Emphasizing that Turkey has one of the largest capacities in Europe in terms of the number of universities and students, Özvar noted that approximately 7 million students study in 208 higher education institutions in Turkey.
Stating that ensuring access to the university and greater participation of women in higher education is among the priorities of the Council of Higher Education, Özvar said, “Today, Turkey is the country with the highest rate of female faculty members employed in universities.” said.
Evaluating the international quality of Turkish higher education, Özvar explained that Turkey is an active member of the European Higher Education Area and actively implements the Bologna Process. Özvar reminded that the Turkish Higher Education Qualifications Framework, which was developed with reference to the European Higher Education Area Qualifications Framework and the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning, was accepted by the Council of Higher Education in 2010.
“Türkiye is in a leading position in the European Higher Education Area”
Explaining that Turkish universities that have received the European Credit Transfer System Label have been in a leading position among the countries in the European Higher Education Area since 2009 and that a total of 31 higher education institutions have this label, Özvar also noted that 73 institutions have received the Diploma Supplement Label. Özvar emphasized that the mobility of students and academics is encouraged through the Erasmus Exchange Program and that Turkish universities have joint diploma programs with 288 universities abroad.
Referring to the Turkish universities included in the lists of prestigious international ranking organizations, Erol Özvar said, “We are pleased to observe that, both as the Council of Higher Education and the universities, we are starting to reap the fruits of our quality-oriented approach and efforts.” he said.
“We want to create situational awareness”
Stating that Turkey is one of the most represented countries in EUA with more than 50 members, Özvar continued his words as follows:
“There are 208 higher education institutions in our country, and more and more universities intend to participate in EUA. This is a significant progress by Turkish academic institutions towards new partnerships in the European academic field. As the Council of Higher Education, we support and encourage our universities in their efforts to cooperate with European universities in all areas of education and research. Your visit is of great importance in terms of meeting many stakeholders in the field of higher education. “We also want to create situational awareness.”
Stating that they will discuss certain projects for cooperation between EUA and Turkish universities, Özvar said that they would be pleased to host EUA members in Turkey next year. Özvar stated that in their meetings with the EUA delegation, they will discuss the issue of Turkish universities taking more part in EUA committees and participating more actively in the work of the union.
EUA President Garrell: “We will support Turkish universities to take part in EUA working groups and committees”
EUA President Prof. Josep M. Garrell also stated in his speech that EUA is structured not only in Brussels but also in many countries. Stating that cooperation between the member universities of the union is important, Garrell explained that they encourage universities in many issues.
Stating that they want more universities from Turkey to become EUA members, Garrell stated that they will support Turkish universities to take part in EUA working groups and committees.
Stating that the promotion of research and innovation strategy are important topics supported by EUA, Garrell said, “As EUA, we aim for higher education institutions to serve their communities better. “We cannot solve all the problems in the world, but we can work together to produce solutions.” he said. Noting that especially doctoral education is an integral area of EUA, Garrell also made a presentation on the structure, strategy and activities of EUA.
EUA Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot also emphasized that they attach great importance to cooperation with Turkey and stated that the EUA General Assembly and Conference can be held in Turkey in 2025 or 2026.
After the presentation, Josep Garrell answered the questions of the representatives of EUA member Turkish universities about the studies and collaborations to be carried out with other universities that are members of the Union and how higher education will be shaped in the coming period.
The EUA delegation also visited ODTÜ TEKNOKENT and the Presidential National Library within the scope of its contacts in Ankara.
Source: www.yok.gov.tr
