The "Together for Better Institutional Quality" conference organized by Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University's (ÇOMÜ) Quality Development and Institutional Monitoring Coordination was held at the İÇDAŞ Kara Yusuf Conference Center.

The conference began with a moment of silence and the national anthem. Participants included YÖKAK (Higher Education Quality Board) President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak, ÇOMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Dinçay Köksal and Prof. Dr. Evren Karayel Gökkaya, Secretary General Oğuz Ünal, Deputy Secretaries General Dr. Mehmet Erkan Kıllıoğlu, Sinan Karabulgu, and Lecturer Tanju Güdük, Rector Advisor Lecturer Mustafa İlker Gülcemal, academic and administrative staff.

Following the screening of the ÇOMÜ promotional film, Dr. Lecturer Ezgi Ertek Babaç from the Music Education Department, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Karakaya from the State Conservatory, and tambur artist Burhan Keskiner performed two pieces.

Rector Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu began his speech by welcoming the attendees and emphasized the importance of quality assurance and accreditation in higher education:

Quality, Assurance, and Accreditation Have Become a Trend

“Quality assurance and accreditation in higher education have become a global trend. It is crucial for higher education institutions to conduct their educational activities in compliance with both internal and external quality standards to ensure that students can compete nationally and internationally.

YÖKAK's Efforts Enhance the Quality of Our Higher Education System

In this context, the efforts of the Higher Education Quality Board significantly contribute to improving the quality of our higher education system. YÖKAK's accreditation processes comprehensively evaluate the fundamental areas of higher education institutions, including education, research and development, student and alumni services. These evaluations identify the strengths and weaknesses of institutions and provide recommendations for necessary improvements.

Our University Places Great Importance on Quality Assurance and Accreditation Processes

At Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, we place great importance on quality assurance and accreditation processes. Our university successfully completed the institutional accreditation process in 2022 and was deemed worthy of conditional accreditation. Our efforts to achieve full accreditation continue unabated. Additionally, our undergraduate and graduate programs have been accredited by various accreditation organizations. I believe that this conference, organized at our university, will make significant contributions to enhancing the quality of our higher education system.”

YÖKAK President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak’s Remarks

YÖKAK President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to the conference and shared his thoughts:

“We are a board that discusses accreditation processes in Turkey with rectors, vice rectors responsible for quality, and quality coordinators. Today, I would like to focus more on the challenges and issues faced by universities in Turkey, especially on the quality, assurance, and accreditation processes at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. I believe that ÇOMÜ is doing quite well in these areas. There are nearly 340,000 international students in our universities, and approximately 2,500 of them are studying at ÇOMÜ. I have had the opportunity to discuss accreditation processes with other countries and their universities. Some universities in these countries have expressed that some of their students wish to return to their home countries because the universities they graduated from in Turkey do not have accreditation, rendering their diplomas invalid. Our goal is to prevent these students from facing difficulties. Therefore, universities must be accredited. In Turkey, 53 out of 208 universities have been accredited, and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University is one of them. Our biggest goal is to have all universities in our country accredited by 2027. We must emphasize and prioritize accreditation as a prerequisite.”

Following the conference, ÇOMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu hosted YÖKAK President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak in his office, followed by a meeting in the senate hall. The visit concluded with Rector Erenoğlu presenting a gift to Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak.