264th Meeting of the Turkish Interuniversity Council (YÖK) Held

The 264th meeting of the Turkish Interuniversity Council (ÜAK) was held on June 25, 2026, hosted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and chaired by Professor Erol Özvar. The meeting, attended by university rectors from across the country, focused on the structural transformation of the Turkish higher education system with the aim of providing specialized human resources suited to the country's future needs [1].

Capacity Planning Based on Labor Market Needs Professor Erol Özvar emphasized during the meeting that determining the capacity of university departments is no longer based solely on demand, but on precise planning for human capital and the needs of various economic sectors. He announced that YÖK has created new programs, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, to prepare students for future careers [2]. Özvar noted that the main goal is to strengthen the relationship between education and employment so that graduates enter the economic cycle immediately after finishing their studies.

Success of University-Industry Cooperation Pilot Projects One of the important axes of this meeting was the review of the results of pilot projects for university cooperation with the industrial and commercial sectors in cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Gaziantep. According to the President of YÖK, these projects have yielded results beyond expectations and have been able to smooth the path for student employment through practical training in real work environments [3]. This model is set to be extended to other provinces and universities in Turkey in the new academic year.

International Accreditation and Educational Quality In another part of the meeting, the issue of promoting the global standing of Turkish universities was addressed. Özvar announced that 2120 educational programs in Turkey have now succeeded in receiving the "Turkish Qualifications Framework" (TYÇ) label, which is a testament to the high international standards of these courses [2]. He also called on university rectors to be actively present on campuses during the student preference period and to introduce their scientific and social capacities not only in Turkish but also in foreign languages to facilitate the recruitment of international students [1].

Preparation for the Preference Period As the time for university entrance exam candidates to choose their fields of study approaches, YÖK asked universities to provide accurate and transparent information to applicants using all communication tools and social networks. Özvar emphasized that universities must compete to attract top-ranking students, which requires a detailed introduction of modern programs and career opportunities related to each field [3].