The Higher Education Council for Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination (YÖDAK) held a seminar at Girne American University to share information about the Bologna Process and studies to incorporate the universities of North Cyprus to the European higher education area.

The Council of Higher Education of Turkey (YÖK) Executive Board Member Dr Atilla Eriş’ presentation ‘Bologna Process in Turkey and Academic Proficiency in Higher Education’ was followed by the President of the Commission for Academic Assessment and Quality Improvements (YÖDEK), Dr. Mehmet Durman, and his presentation ‘Strategic Planning and Academic Quality Guarantee with regards to the Bologna Process’.

The event was opened by speeches by Prof. Hasan Ali Bıçak, President of YÖDAK, and Girne American University Rector Prof Yıldırım Öner.

In his speech President of YÖDAK, Hasan Ali Bıçak, expressed his gratitude to Dr Atilla Eriş and Dr Mehmet Durman in North Cyprus and explained that prominent figures will not only give information about the Bologna Process in Turkey but also convey their experience and knowledge on higher education. Bıçak also underlined that they, as YÖDAK, place great importance in the establishment of a foundation which evaluate the quality of universities of North Cyprus and provide guarantees. Bıçak added that, using studies conducted in Turkey as a model, they had established a “Bologna team”.
Quantity

Hasan Ali Bıçak also said that the declining number of students that prefer universities in North Cyprus is the biggest problem facing them, pointing out that number of students that came to North Cyprus has halved in the last two years.

On the other hand the number foreign students that opt to go to North Cyprus increased to 1,800 from 1,200 which shows that foreign countries are starting to see North Cyprus in a positive light. Bıçak said foreign students will play a significant role in developing the higher education system in North Cyprus. The President of YÖDAK said that to increase the number of students coming to North Cyprus they have made some arrangements to facilitate the immigration process for foreign students.
Quality

Bıçak said that to provide guarantee on quality, two things are vital. Firstly, to determine a government policy and secondly, the man in charge of the quality of national education should not only belong to YÖDAK, but also should be involved with universities in North Cyprus and the government. Hasan Ali Bıçak gave information about the other studies being carried out by YÖDAK and said that they have sent the results of the studies to every single university in North Cyprus.
Yıldırım Öner

GAU Rector, Dr Yıldırım Öner, expressed his gratitude for YÖDAK and their studies which aim to incorporate universities in North Cyprus into the Bologna Process. He also gave thanks at the opportunities presented at the seminar where academics in North Cyprus had the chance to meet with prominent figures in the world of higher education and added they, as GAU, are honoured to host such an organisation.

On behalf of Girne American University and the other universities in North Cyprus, Öner conveyed his thanks to YÖK Executive Board Member Dr Atilla Eriş and YÖDEK President Dr Mehmet Durman for their presentations about the Bologna Process and higher education.

The seminar was attended by the North Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture’s Higher Education Foreign Affairs Department Manager Hüseyin Kavaz and several senior managers and academic staff from universities in North Cyprus.