September 15, 2025

Türkiye's success in higher education in recent years has been featured in the Finnish press, with praise for Turkish higher education for enabling young Turkish people to enter the workforce at an early age.

In an article by Jukka Eero Wuorinen in Helsingin Sanomat, one of Finland's leading newspapers, it was emphasized that Türkiye is reaping the rewards of the strategic steps it has taken in higher education in recent years.

The article pointed out that Türkiye higher education has surpassed Finland in some important areas, noting that the main reasons for Türkiye's rise include “easier access to higher education due to the increase in the number of universities and enrollment quotas in Türkiye over the past 20 years,” “Turkish students graduating at an earlier age compared to many of their peers in Europe and thus entering the workforce faster,” and “offering flexible education opportunities by diversifying vocational programs.”

The article stated, "It is an accepted fact that the level of education in Finland is declining. Graphs illustrating countries’ education levels indicate that Finland has, for instance, fallen behind Türkiye."

The article emphasized that Türkiye has made significant gains in a short time by taking decisive steps, particularly in vocational and technical fields, and noted that a significant portion of the growing adult population has also graduated from these programs.

- Turkish students receive their diplomas at an earlier age -

The article states that Finnish youth complete their higher education at a later age compared to other countries, while many countries adopt two-year vocational programs that focus directly on working life. It includes the following statements:

"Since most diplomas in Finland are obtained closer to the age of 30, the 30-34 age group should be considered in international comparisons rather than the 25-34 age group. According to Eurostat data, the percentage of people with higher education diplomas in Finland in this age group is generally 4-6 points higher than in the 25-34 age group. The level is close to the EU average.

Turkish students obtain their degrees at an earlier age than in Finland, which creates a favorable picture for Türkiye in international comparisons. Short-term, vocational, and applied programs, which are becoming widespread in Türkiye, are counted as higher education in OECD statistics and increase the higher education participation rate.

Özvar: “We have started a new era in vocational schools in line with sectoral needs.”

Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education, stated that Turkish higher education has attracted the attention of the whole world, especially with the progress it has made in recent years, and said, “Our higher education system is recognized as a ‘model that has gained international visibility.’”

Emphasizing that the strategic steps taken in the higher education system are not only a result measured by numerical indicators but also a concrete demonstration of the investment made in young people and the future, Özvar stated, "We will continue to develop innovative programs that enhance the competencies and professional skills of our young people, who are the future of our country. Our goal is to take our country's rise in higher education to an even higher level and continue to be a model that meets global standards."

Özvar stated that they are carrying out a multidimensional transformation process in higher education programs and, within this scope, have launched a new era in vocational schools in line with sectoral needs, adding, “At the heart of this transformation process is the understanding of strengthening university-sector cooperation to close the talent or skills gap.”

“Our youth will possess the competencies and skills required by the era”

Özvar stated that they will continue to prioritize vocational school programs focused on software, AI, digital technologies, digital skills, and green transformation in line with the needs of industry and the labor market, adding, “Our primary goal is to educate our young people in higher education to have the competencies and skills required by the era.”