November 7, 2025

CoHE President Erol Özvar stated that the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council has gained the authority to carry out cross-border accreditation within the framework of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

Speaking at the opening of the 9th International Student Sciences Congress hosted by Bursa Uludağ University, Özvar drew attention to the great humanitarian tragedy in Palestine, reminding that 70,000 innocent people have lost their lives as a result of Israel’s brutal attacks. He expressed his wish for the ceasefire reached in Gaza to become permanent and noted that the Gaza issue has been addressed at all universities during academic opening ceremonies as a demonstration of strong solidarity with the Palestinian people. Özvar emphasized that the doors of Turkish universities will continue to remain open for Palestinian students and academics.

“We have one of the greatest capacities of the European Higher Education Area”

He stated that Türkiye conducts multifaceted international relations and cooperation in the field of higher education with great success. Expressing their aim to complete the accreditation processes of all universities by 2027 and to have the accreditation reports published in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) database, Özvar underlined that this process makes the alignment of Türkiye’s higher education system with international standards more visible and strengthens the integration of universities into the global scientific network.

“The momentum Türkiye has achieved in recent years is driven by the efforts made regarding the quality standards of our higher education system”

Özvar stated that Turkish universities are recognized by the countries of the European Higher Education Area, adding that they continue the Bologna Process, especially in regard to ECTS. He noted that Türkiye achieved excellent results in the 2024 Bologna Assessment Report, scoring full points in many evaluation criteria.

– Universities and Faculties Operating Abroad –

Emphasizing that their international strategies are not limited to Europe, Özvar continued:

“Türkiye-Azerbaijan University established in Baku in 2024, and the International University of Turkic States established this year in Tashkent with a similar model, are concrete outcomes of this vision. Alongside the universities we have opened abroad, faculties of several of our universities operate in countries such as Somalia, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our efforts to establish the Türkiye-Syria Friendship University in Damascus are nearing completion. Our country continues to diversify and strengthen its cooperation in higher education with the Islamic world and African countries.”

“One of our primary goals is internationalization”

Özvar said that one of the main objectives set by the Council of Higher Education is internationalization, and that increasing the number of international students is one of the most important elements of this goal.

He stated that Türkiye hosts approximately 360,000 international students from 198 countries, ranking 6th in the world. He emphasized that the presence of international students is not merely a numerical increase, but also a qualitative contribution that enriches the spirit of universities.

“We are implementing regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence in academia”

Özvar stated that they regard the use of artificial intelligence in academic studies not only as an ethical or moral matter but also as a legal area of responsibility.

At the congress, Indonesian doctoral student Aida Nurul Barokah, studying at the Department of Translational Medicine at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, also delivered a speech. Aida expressed that Türkiye has offered her not only an educational environment but also a second home.

President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), Abdulhadi Turus, stated that receiving an education in Türkiye enhances not only scientific knowledge but also the qualities of defending the oppressed, standing with the righteous, and voicing the truth.

Rector of Bursa Uludağ University, Prof. Ferudun Yılmaz, emphasized that they offer international students not only a high-quality education but also a bond of affection.

At the opening ceremony, Rector of Bursa Technical University Prof. Naci Çağlar, Rector of Medeniyet University Prof. Gülfettin Çelik, and Rector of Mudanya University Prof. Emin Karip also delivered speeches.

At the congress, which is organized to contribute to the academic development of international students studying at the graduate level in Türkiye, 135 papers will be presented in the "Special Topics" category under titles such as “U.S.–China Conflict in the Global System”, “Palestine–Gaza Issue”, “Population and Family Policies: Problems and Solution Proposals”.

– Visits to Bursa Uludağ and Bursa Technical Universities –

During his visit to Bursa for participating in the International Student Sciences Congress and for various engagements, Özvar was accompanied by the CoHE Deputy President Prof. Naci Gündoğan.

As part of his contacts, Özvar visited Bursa Uludağ University, where he received information from Rector Prof. Ferudun Yılmaz about university activities, toured the stands of student clubs, and spoke with students.

Özvar also visited Bursa Technical University and received information from Rector Prof. Naci Çağlar regarding the latest status and academic activities of the university.