2025

Vocational Schools Built inside Organized Industrial Zones

Every January, as part of efforts to support vocational schools established in Organized Industrial Zones (OIZ Vocational Schools), a communiqué is published by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), specifying the criteria for educational funding and the amount of funding to be allocated per student. As per the communiqué published in 2025, individual educational funding has been planned for students studying in 37 associate degree programs in manufacturing, logistics, and informatics offered at vocational schools established in OIZs. For the 2024–2025 school year, funding was approved for 119 programs, with 7,327 students in 22 vocational schools in OIZs receiving said funding.

University–Industry Cooperation

A protocol on university–industry cooperation was signed on April 21, 2025, between the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and the Council of Higher Education. Accordingly, a primary priority of higher education activities in achieving Türkiye’s economic development targets was defined as follows: to enable our universities to work in collaboration with businesses and to equip students with the skills sought in industries has been. Applying to 103 universities and 388 vocational schools, the protocol aims to build a strong cooperation network between universities and the chambers and commodity exchanges affiliated with TOBB. Through this collaboration, universities will be able to update their curricula in line with demands in business, develop programs aligned with sectoral needs, and prepare students for the labor market with stronger qualifications. Higher education activities will hence be aligned with labor market expectations, with graduates enjoying improved employment opportunities, boosting economic growth in the country. 

Activities on Digitalization in Agriculture
 

As part of the agrotechnology work carried out by the Council of Higher Education, a workshop was held with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, higher education faculty members, and representatives of the agriculture sector. Following this workshop, the “Working Group on Digital Technologies in Agriculture” was launched in March 2025 to design associate and bachelor’s degree programs in agrotechnology and to update the curricula of existing programs. 

As a result of these efforts and with the aim of training qualified human resources in the field of agriculture, the following associate degree programs were approved: “Digital Agricultural Technologies,” “Smart Greenhouse Technologies,” and “Agricultural Machinery and Technologies.” Accordingly, a total of 22 programs were launched in 15 higher education institutions. In addition, the bachelor’s degree program “Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Robotics” was launched in four higher education institutions. Furthermore, to prepare detailed curricula for each program - including course descriptions, program learning outcomes, ECTS workloads, and assessment and evaluation methods – coordinating universities were designated. Working groups formed at these coordinating universities then developed sample curricula and learning outcomes. These were shared with the relevant higher education institutions as recommended practices for the 2025–2026 school year.

Activities on Digitalization in Healthcare

As part of the work carried out by the Council in the area of digitalization in healthcare, a workshop was held with the Ministry of Health, higher education faculty members, and representatives of the healthcare sector. Following the workshop, the Working Group on Digitalization in Healthcare was launched in March 2025 to identify digital programs required in the healthcare sector and to update the curricula of existing programs. In addition, higher education institutions were consulted on biomedical engineering.

As a result of these efforts, the associate degree programs “Digital Health Systems Technician Program,” “Tele-Health Technician Program,” and “Medical Data Processing Technician Program” were approved by the Council, with a total of 63 programs launched across 39 higher education institutions. Furthermore, to prepare detailed curricula for each program - including course descriptions, program learning outcomes, ECTS workloads, and assessment and evaluation methods - coordinating universities were designated. Working groups formed at these coordinating universities then developed sample curricula and learning outcomes. These were shared with the relevant higher education institutions as recommended practices for the 2025-2026 school year.

New Green Transition-Based Programs

At the “Green Transition Workshop” organized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) on April 10-11, 2025, potential academic adjustments were discussed to address emerging needs in environmental sustainability, climate action, and the green transition at the higher education level.

Following the workshop and in light of the business feedback to the Council, efforts were launched to update existing associate and bachelor’s degree programs, restructure programs for which the labor market demand is contracting, and evaluate proposals for new programs aligned with employment needs. The aim is to raise a qualified workforce equipped with the skills required for the green transition. Within this scope, priority is being given to programs focusing on areas such as environmentally friendly technologies, sustainable production, energy transition, circular economy, and climate policy.

Based on the workshop discussions and sector feedback, eight associate degree programs deemed suitable for launch are listed below:

• Green and Ecological Building Technician Program
• Smart Infrastructure Technician Program
• Environmental Measurement and Monitoring Systems Technician Program
• Environmental Health and Environmental Risk Management Technician Program (the existing “Environmental Health” associate degree program is renamed and revised)
• Water and Waste Management Technician Program (the existing “Waste Management” associate degree program is renamed and revised)
• Hydrogen and Energy Storage Technician Program
• Renewable Energy Technician Program
• Carbon Management Technician Program
• Abovementioned programs are now offered at 56 higher education institutions.

Revision of Certain Associate Degree Programs
 

Plans are underway to revise associate degree programs such as electrical, construction technology, mechanical, mechatronics, metallurgy, automotive technology, and building inspection, converting them into more specialized programs aligned with sectoral needs.

The nationwide distribution of these general-purpose programs was analyzed, revealing cases where the same program was offered by multiple vocational schools within a single university and with many programs in reduced demand. Accordingly, to ensure a qualified and field-oriented workforce that better matches sectoral needs, the Council decided to incorporate said programs in the revision process and requested higher education institutions to carry out the necessary work. Newly launched programs within this effort are listed below:

• Alternative Energy Sources Technology

• CNC Programming and Operation

• Electricity Generation, Transmission, and Distribution

• Electrical Machinery Maintenance and Repair

• Electrical Device Technology

• Energy Plant Operations

• Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Technology

• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology

• Manufacturing Execution Systems Operation

• Construction Machinery Operation

• Welding Technology

• Machine Drafting and Design

• Automotive Body and Surface Processing Technologies

• Machining Technology

• Architectural Drafting

• Building Installation Technology

• Building Insulation Technology

YÖK–TOBB–ISKAV Cooperation Protocol

On May 26, 2025, a cooperation protocol was signed between the Council of Higher Education, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), and the Heating, Cooling, Air Conditioning Research and Education Foundation (ISKAV) to increase qualified employment in the HVAC sector.

The protocol aims to provide scholarships, internships, and workplace-based training to eligible students in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Systems Engineering programs, and to facilitate their employment in HVAC companies after graduation.

Under the protocol, scholarships will be awarded beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, starting from the second year of study, to successful students enrolled in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Systems Engineering programs at Gazi University, Ege University, Karabük University, and Yıldız Technical University. The amount of scholarship will be defined as 40% of the net minimum wage (excluding the minimum living allowance) and will be provided for nine months. In addition, the HVAC sector will offer opportunities for workplace-based training and internships, and efforts will be made to facilitate the employment of graduates in the HVAC sector for a period of five years after graduation.

Development of Private Security Training and Field Training Programs

Under the Cooperation Protocol signed on 1 November 2022 between the Council and the General Directorate of Security of the Ministry of Interior, efforts were launched to improve the quality of private security training - covering training content, instructor qualifications, and the materials used in these trainings. In line with the Protocol, the Commission for the Development of Private Security Training and Field Training Programs was established with the Presidential Approval dated 5 January 2023, and workshops were held in 2023, 2024, and 2025. As a result of these workshops, recommended course outlines were shared with the relevant higher education institutions.

Career and Motivation Camps

 “Career and Motivation Camps” are organized to support the personal, social, and professional development of first-year university students residing in the dormitories of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

These camps offer sessions on Erasmus+ opportunities, internships and job prospects, CV and motivation letter preparation, healthy living, and technology addiction.

Kamp+ Project

Kamp+, led by the General Directorate of Youth Services, is a specialized education and development platform for young people. As part of the project, camps are organized in cooperation with various institutions and organizations. Aiming to help young people unlock their potential across a wide range of fields - from education and technology to the environment, culture, and strategic thinking - the project provides diverse learning opportunities.

In this context, several camps have been carried out in cooperation with partner institutions: “Combating Disinformation Camp” with the Presidential Directorate of Communications’ Center for Combating Disinformation, “Responsible Journalism and Media Ethics Camp,” “National Competence Initiative Camp” with the Defense Industry Academy, “Environment Camp” with the Türkiye Environment Agency, and “Global Development Camp” with TİKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency).

Educational Activities in Ministry of Youth and Sports Dormitories

To help students residing in the Ministry’s dormitories make productive use of their time outside class, develop essential life skills, maintain psychological well-being, avoid harmful habits, and support their academic progress, a cooperation protocol was signed with the Ministry and the Directorate General for Lifelong Learning on 4 November 2025.

Beyond providing accommodation, our dormitories strive to offer students social spaces and opportunities for personal growth. Activities are diversified and updated each year in line with current needs. As part of these efforts, various courses, workshops, and conferences are offered.

Conferences include sessions such as “AI Literacy,” designed to give students basic knowledge of emerging digital and artificial intelligence fields; “KOSGEB Entrepreneurship and Incentive Mechanisms,” which introduces entrepreneurship and support programs; and “Disaster Awareness Training,” which elucidates disaster measures and precautions.

Workshops include “Digital Detox,” aimed at raising awareness of the negative effects of the digital space; “Open Forum,” where students present topics they are passionate about or share the findings of their undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral theses with peers in the same field; and “Homemade,” where students learn to make the kinds of food they commonly consume in ready-made form.

In addition, a series of “Life Skills Trainings” has been launched this year to help students develop essential daily competencies. These include “Self-Awareness Training,” “Communication Skills,” “Thinking Skills,” “Learning and Research Skills,” “Volunteer Management,” “Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” “Career Planning and Leadership,” “Basic Home Repairs,” “Meal and Menu Preparation,” “First Aid in the Family,” and “Parenting Styles and Child Development.”

2024

Artificial Intelligence Based Associate / Bachelor’s Degree Programs

In recent years, a “Working Group on Determining Artificial Intelligence-Based Programs” was established within CoHE to determine the new departments and programs that should be opened to meet the human resource needs arising in areas such as digitalization and big data, especially artificial intelligence, and as a result of the studies carried out since 2023, 23 undergraduate and 50 associate degree programs were opened in 20 higher education institutions. These programs were allocated 30 quotas each in the 2024 YKS. Newly opened undergraduate programs are “Data Science and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and Cyber Security Engineering”, and associate degree programs are “Manufacturing Execution Systems Operator, Front-End Software Development, Back-End Software Development, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Unmanned Vehicle Technician, Autonomous Systems Technician, Big Data Analyst, Game Development and Programming, Artificial Intelligence Operator, Cloud Computing Technologies, Enterprise Computing Expertise, and Digital Transformation Electronics”. Apart from the new programs opened, the Control and Automation Engineering Program at Istanbul Technical University was restructured as Robotics and Autonomous Systems Engineering and admitted students for the first time in 2024 YKS. In addition, the Cyber Security Engineering Undergraduate Program was opened at Istanbul Technical University and started to admit students for the first time in 2024 YKS.

Cooperation with the Information Technologies and Communication Authority

A “Cooperation Protocol on the Use of ITCA Academy Course Content” was signed between CoHE and the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (ITCA) on 16.01.2024. In recent years, there have been great developments and transformations in digital technologies all over the world, especially in artificial intelligence. In parallel with the rapid developments in the field of digital technologies, it is clear that the need for qualified manpower to be employed in all relevant sectors has increased. Studies on the inclusion of the courses offered by the ITCA Academy in the curricula/course pool of our universities and the crediting of these courses continue to be carried out by the “Working Group” established within the body of CoHE. ITCA Academy courses will be followed online by students and exams will be held face-to-face at our universities. In this way, it will be possible for students in all our universities to have awareness on artificial intelligence and digital technologies, even at a basic level.

University-Sector Collaboration

A protocol was signed between the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Council of Higher Education on 21.02.2024 within the scope of university-sector cooperation. In this context, elective courses have started to be opened in our universities in line with the demands of our business world and sectors, and experts from the affiliated, related and related organizations of our Ministry or sector organizations have been assigned to teach these courses. Thanks to university-industry cooperation, university students will be able to familiarize themselves with sectoral developments and dynamics during their education. In this way, it will be possible both for our graduates to enter the employment market in a more prepared manner and for sectors to more easily access the qualified labor force they need.

Research Universities, Regional Development Oriented Universities and Specialized Universities

In line with the criteria determined by the Presidency of the Council of Higher Education, the rankings of universities are announced at the opening of the academic year every year. In order to support the Regional activities of the University, 5 (five) calls have been made by the Presidency of the Council of Higher Education and detailed information about the universities whose areas of specialization are determined within the scope of the project can be found on the web page https://bolgeselkalkinma.yok.gov.tr/. The Council of Higher Education has made a matching between 15 priority science areas and 25 universities, and detailed information can be found on the web page https://www.yok.gov.tr/Sayfalar/Haberler/2023/yok-15-bilim-alaninda-25 universiteye-oncelikli-alan-misyonu-verdi.aspx?s=08. 12th Development Plan is being updated within the framework of priority science areas.

Launching the International Corporate Accreditation Program (IAP)

Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK) initiated the Institutional Accreditation Program (IAP) in 2020 to ensure quality assurance of higher education institutions and continues it as of 2025. The IAP, which was separated from the Institutional External Evaluation Program due to the accreditation decision, has been developed by making the necessary arrangements to be applied internationally upon the demands of various stakeholders of YÖKAK. In 2024, YÖKAK completed the preparations for IAP, which was added to its legislation with the amendment made to the “Regulation on Higher Education Quality Assurance and Higher Education Quality Board” on 13/7/2023, and started receiving applications from higher education institutions abroad.

With this program, YÖKAK brings its national activities into an international context within the framework of the aim of “A5. Increasing the international recognition, cooperation and effectiveness of the Higher Education Quality Council” stated in the Strategic Plan 2024-2028. Thanks to the process that started with YÖKAK’s full membership to ENQA in 2020 and continued with EQAR registration in 2022, accreditation decisions and Institutional Accreditation Reports are now published in the DEQAR database, increasing the international visibility of institutions. The evaluation reports to be published as a result of IAP will also be published in DEQAR.

Ethical Guide to Productive Artificial Intelligence

An ethical guideline has been prepared to inform higher education institutions to determine the ethical values in the integration of Productive Artificial Intelligence (PAI) into higher education processes, to establish ethical rules based on these values, and to contribute to understanding, evaluating and taking measures against risks and opportunities in the field of use in order to protect scientific integrity and trust in science.

Vocational Schools Established in Organized Industrial Zones

Within the scope of OIZ Vocational School Support; a communiqué is prepared by CoHE in January of each year, in which the educational support to be provided to the Vocational Schools established in OIZs and the amount of educational support to be provided per student are determined. Within the scope of the communiqué prepared in 2024, it was deemed appropriate to provide education support per student to 32 associate degree programs determined for the fields of manufacturing, logistics and informatics in the Vocational Schools established in OIZs.

Outstanding Achievement Awards

At the academic opening ceremony of the relevant year, which takes place every year at the Presidential Complex, the President of the Republic presents the Outstanding Achievement Award to those who are eligible to receive the award. Outstanding Achievement Awards of the Council of Higher Education will be given in 4 categories: individual, institutional, special field and special award.

2023

Quota for Women Over 34 in Higher Education

As of January 1, 2023, there is a “Women Over 34” quota for women who have completed the age of 34 in associate and undergraduate programs that take students with central placement at public universities. This quota is available for programs other than Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Architecture, Law and Teaching programs where success ranking is required. Those who have previously graduated from any undergraduate program will not be able to benefit from the aforementioned quotas and will not be placed in these quotas even if they prefer. Those who have previously graduated from an associate degree program will only be able to choose the quotas reserved for undergraduate programs.

Women over 34 years of age are placed in their top preferences where their placement scores are sufficient through centralized placement, taking into account the general quota (primarily) and the quota for women over 34 years of age and the above explanations. Quotas for women over 34 are limited. Therefore, women over the age of 34 who make all of their preferences among highly desired programs may not be placed in any program if their scores are not high. If the quotas reserved for women over 34 are not filled in the central placement process or remain vacant after registration, they will be announced in the additional placement process. All general rules in the Guide also apply to women over the age of 34.

Campus and University Site Mapping Project

The goal of the “Campus and University Site Mapping Project” is to examine the size of the campuses, the fields of study they cover (health, education, engineering, law, etc.), the distance of the faculties from each other and many other features of the regions where they are located from a broad perspective. The project was completed in 2023, showing the regions where universities have their own campuses and buildings, and whether these regions are centrally located in the city or far from the center.

Cyber Security Associate Degree Programs

The Cyber Security Education Cooperation Protocol was signed between YÖK and the Presidency Digital Transformation Office in October 2022. Within the scope of this Protocol, Cyber Security Vocational Schools and associate degree programs (Cyber Security Analyst and Operator) were opened at Ankara University, Ege University, Gebze Technical University and Istanbul Technical University in 2023 YKS and 25 quotas were allocated for each program.

Barrier-Free University Awards

Barrier-Free University Awards have been given since the 2018-2019 academic year. Every year, universities are evaluated by the commissions determined by CoHE and are entitled to receive awards in the categories of Barrier-Free University Flag and Barrier-Free University Program Order and Disability-Friendly Individual Awards.

Outstanding Achievement Awards

At the academic opening ceremony of the relevant year, which takes place every year at the Presidential Complex, the President of the Republic presents the Outstanding Achievement Award to those who are eligible to receive the award. Outstanding Achievement Awards of the Council of Higher Education are given in 4 categories: individual, institutional, special field and special award.

Vocational Schools Established in Organized Industrial Zones

Within the scope of OIZ Vocational School Support; a communiqué is prepared by the Council of Higher Education in January of each year, in which the educational support to be provided to the Vocational Schools established in OIZs and the amount of educational support to be provided per student are determined. In the 2023-2024 academic year, it was deemed appropriate to support 88 programs and 5.623 students in 17 Vocational Schools established in OIZs.

Vocational Education Cooperation with Universities (Seven Universities in Seven Provinces)

It is planned to develop a vocational training cooperation model in cooperation with İŞKUR, Universities and Technocity administrations in order to train qualified labor force. Vocational training courses will be organized in cooperation with universities. In the first stage, cooperation with one university in each geographical region will be realized. Vocational Training Cooperation protocols were signed with Istanbul Technical University, Akdeniz University and Van Yüzüncü Yıl University.

Academic Accumulation Project (AKAP)

With the “Academic Accumulation Project-AKAP”, a total of 200 faculty members from universities are sent abroad to conduct research on sabbatical leave.

Post-Doctoral Research Program (DOSAP)

With this project, it is planned to support 100 Research Assistants or Assistant Professors who have completed their PhD studies in higher education institutions for their post-doctoral studies abroad.

Young Minds in Basic Sciences Project (GEP)

With the Young Minds in Basic Sciences Project, 100 research assistants who are in the thesis stage of their doctoral education in one of the fields of “Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics” at state universities in 2023 will be offered the opportunity to conduct research abroad for one to three months, without applying the provisions regarding compulsory service obligation.

YÖK International Fellowship Program

The goal of this program is to support foreign PhD students who will conduct research in the fields of Ottoman History, General Turkish History, Turkology, Turkish Language and Literature or Turkish Culture in higher education institutions in Türkiye. According to the International Researcher Project prepared within this framework, 5 foreign students who are doing their PhD in the fields of Ottoman History, General Turkish History, Turkology, Turkish Language and Literature or Turkish Culture at higher education institutions abroad to be determined by CoHE and 10 foreign students who have completed their PhD in the same fields within the last 2 years have been given the opportunity to conduct research at universities in Türkiye.