Initial Training for Quality Assurance of HEIs in the TRNC

The Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC) organised training for higher education institutions in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) within the scope of bilateral cooperation with the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Board (YÖDAK) on quality assurance in higher education.

Prof. Ümit Kocabıçak, THEQC President, and Prof. Aykut Hocanın, YÖDAK President, delivered the opening speeches at the online training held on 31 July 2025.

In his speech, President Kocabıçak noted that the training was an opportunity for THEQC to transfer its experience regarding the quality assurance system structure that THEQC has successfully implemented in the Turkish higher education system to YÖDAK and universities in the TRNC. President Kocabıçak stated that the training was a prelude to upcoming sessions on quality assurance systems, and in this scope, THEQC plans to organise a face-to-face training in the TRNC.

Prof. Aykut Hocanın expressed his appreciation for THEQC’s support for the cooperation. Stating that YÖDAK would like to continue the cooperation with THEQC, he gave information about YÖDAK’s quality assurance activities, and added that the training programs organised by THEQC would significantly contribute to the TRNC universities in terms of their quality assurance work.

Representatives from YÖDAK and TRNC HEIs attended the training held in line with the protocol signed between THEQC and YÖDAK in 2021 to establish mechanisms based on cooperation for mutual benefits regarding quality assurance in higher education.

During the day-long training, presentations on “What is Internal/External Quality Assurance System?”, “Internal Quality Assurance System in Higher Education Institutions in the Context of European Standards and Guidelines (ESG)” and “Introduction of International Institutional Accreditation Program (IIAP)” were made by THEQC experts.