Mission and Vision

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of Additional Article 25, added by Law No. 7033 dated 18 June 2017 to the Decree-Law on the Administrative Organisation of Higher Education Governing Bodies and Higher Education Institutions, “In addition to the departments specified herein, up to five further departments may be established by a decision of the Council of Higher Education. The duties of the departments established in this manner shall be determined by the President of the Council.” Accordingly, our Department was established as one of the aforementioned departments under the name “Department of Higher Education Project Development and Support” by a decision of the Executive Board of the Council of Higher Education dated 23 August 2017 and subsequently commenced its activities.

The vision of our Department is to deliver public services that contribute to establishing a reputable and reliable higher education system that meets international standards by implementing programmes and projects effectively and efficiently.

The mission of our Department is to initiate new programmes and projects with a view to transforming the higher education system into a competitive and innovative structure aligned with international standards and to ensure that these programmes and projects are successfully completed, their outputs are analysed, their impact is enhanced and their outcomes are disseminated.

The activities carried out by our Department are grouped under eleven main areas: Student Scholarships, Researcher Support Programmes, Mission Differentiation, OIZ-Vocational Schools of Higher Education, CoHE Awards for Excellence, Barrier-Free University Awards, Sports-Friendly Campus Project, 2030 Roadmap, Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence, Joint Application and Research Centres, and the Domestic Foreign Language Training Programme.

Student Scholarships

Student Scholarships are divided into two categories: CoHE Support Scholarships and International Student Scholarship Programmes.

1. 1.CoHE Support Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to students who rank among the top three candidates admitted, based on the results of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS), to undergraduate programmes designated by CoHE.

2. 2.International Student Scholarship Programmes: Scholarships are provided under two categories: the CoHE Scholarship and Other Scholarship Programmes.

   a. CoHE Scholarship: Students from countries with which a memorandum of understanding has been signed receive a monthly scholarship, with all related expenses covered by CoHE.

   b. Other Scholarship Programmes: Four separate scholarship programmes are offered, with all related expenses covered by the relevant countries or institutions:

   • -Government Scholarships: Under memoranda of understanding, all expenses are covered by the relevant country.
   • -Türkiye Scholarships: All expenses are covered by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities.
   • -International Theology Programme: All expenses are covered by the Presidency of Religious Affairs.
   • -Islamic Development Bank Scholarship Programme: All expenses are covered by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Researcher Support Programmes

Researcher Support Programmes comprise four programmes: the Young Minds Programme (GEP), Postdoctoral Research Programme (DOSAP), Academic Development Programme (AKAP), and CoHE International Fellowship Programme.

1. 1.Young Minds Programme (GEP): This programme enables doctoral students employed as research assistants to conduct research abroad on their dissertation topics for a period ranging from one to three months.
2. 2.Postdoctoral Research Programme (DOSAP): This programme enables research assistants or assistant professors who have completed their doctoral studies to undertake postdoctoral research abroad for a period of up to nine months.
3. 3.Academic Development Programme (AKAP): This programme enables faculty members to conduct academic studies abroad for a period of up to nine months under a sabbatical arrangement in priority areas identified in the Eleventh Development Plan.
4. 4.CoHE International Fellowship Programme: This programme enables international researchers who are currently pursuing or have completed their doctoral studies to conduct research at universities in Türkiye.

Mission Differentiation

Mission Differentiation comprises three areas: Research-Oriented Mission Differentiation, Regional Development-Oriented Specialisation, and Specialisation in Priority Scientific Fields.

1. 1.Research-Oriented Mission Differentiation: Activities are carried out to enable designated Research Universities, selected from among well-established universities, to become more competitive globally.
2. 2.Regional Development-Oriented Specialisation: Activities are carried out to support the regional initiatives of selected universities established in or after 2006.
3. 3.Specialisation in Priority Scientific Fields: Activities are undertaken to support diversification in the fields of specialisation in Türkiye by enabling universities to assume thematic roles and contribute to priority areas within the framework of national objectives, in line with their respective capacities and competencies.

OIZ-Vocational Schools of Higher Education

Educational support has been provided to vocational schools of higher education established in Organised Industrial Zones (OIZs) since 2018, pursuant to Article 46(1)(l) of Higher Education Law No. 2547. This support aims to enhance students’ vocational skills, facilitate their adaptation to professional life, and encourage them to participate in workplace-based vocational training.

CoHE Awards for Excellence

The CoHE Awards for Excellence are presented in twelve categories under four main headings: Individual, Institutional, Special Field and Special Awards. Each year, the awards are presented by the President of the Republic of Türkiye to the eligible individuals and higher education institutions at the Opening Ceremony of the Higher Education Academic Year, held at the Presidential Complex.

Barrier-Free University Awards

The Barrier-Free University Awards are presented in two categories: Barrier-Free University Flags and the Barrier-Free Programme Badge.

Barrier-Free University Flags are awarded in three areas: Accessibility in Physical Spaces (Orange Flag), Accessibility in Education (Green Flag), and Accessibility in Sociocultural Activities. Universities that make their academic programmes accessible to individuals with different types of disabilities are awarded the Barrier-Free Programme Badge.

Sports-Friendly Campus Project

The Sports-Friendly Campus Project aims to encourage all students, academics, administrative staff and other employees on university campuses to engage in sports and physical activities regularly and to develop regular exercise habits.

Under the project, universities’ performance in this area is assessed annually according to the Sports-Friendly Campus Evaluation Criteria, which were developed following consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

2030 Roadmap

Within the scope of the “Regional Meetings on the Vision for Turkish Higher Education Towards 2030,” the current state of higher education and its strategic objectives for the future were discussed in detail, and significant assessments were made regarding the transformation of Turkish higher education.

This report was prepared to guide universities by bringing together the vision established by the Council of Higher Education, the presentations delivered during the meetings, and the views and assessments submitted by universities.

Our primary objective is to provide a framework containing concrete steps to enhance the competitiveness of universities, build a sustainable higher education system, and strengthen the national and international reputation of our universities. Accordingly, the proposed actions set out in the report were shared with universities, which were requested to monitor their implementation according to a specified timetable.

Universities are expected to carefully consider all matters addressed during the Regional Vision Meetings and in this report and to incorporate them effectively into their strategic planning processes.

Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in higher education presents a range of opportunities and risks. The “Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Research and Publication Activities of Higher Education Institutions” were prepared to inform higher education institutions and help them understand and assess the risks and opportunities arising from the rapidly developing field of GenAI and take appropriate measures against potential risks.

The Guidelines, which have also been translated into English, address the ethical dimensions of using GenAI in scientific research and publications, the fundamental ethical principles governing its use, and certain significant risks and ethical issues that may arise. They also include key recommendations concerning the use of GenAI systems.

Joint Application and Research Centres

Joint Application and Research Centres are established to bring together the capabilities, knowledge and experience of multiple universities distinguished in their respective fields. By implementing a collaborative working model within the Turkish higher education system, these centres aim to facilitate the implementation of strategically important projects.

Domestic Foreign Language Training Programme

The Domestic Foreign Language Training Programme is conducted in two areas: “Academic Writing in a Foreign Language Training for Early-Career Researchers with Doctoral Degrees” and “Academic Speaking and Presentation Skills in a Foreign Language Training for Early-Career Researchers with Doctoral Degrees.”

The programme aims to improve the academic foreign language proficiency of doctoral degree holders employed as research assistants, lecturers or assistant professors at state universities designated by the Council of Higher Education.