An Evaluation Meeting regarding Vocational Schools held Between YÖK and ADU

Hosted by our university, an evaluation meeting between the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and our university—focused on the transformation of vocational and technical higher education, practice-based education, and the development of university-industry collaboration—was held on September 4, 2026.

At the meeting chaired by Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, a member of the YÖK Executive Board, the following topics were discussed: vocational training in the workplace, the 3+1 Education Model, practice-based education, vocational schools established in the Organized Industrial Zones (OSB), and the restructuring of vocational and technical higher education. In addition, the work carried out under the OSB Vocational Colleges Education Support Project and the support provided by the YÖK were evaluated.

One of the key agenda items at the meeting—which focused on developing a practice-based education approach aimed at training the qualified workforce needed by strategic sectors, particularly in information technology, manufacturing, technology, and logistics—was the ASTİM Organized Industrial Zone Vocational School, which is planned to be established within our university. In this context, the departments and programs planned to be launched in line with the needs of the OSB, as well as the educational processes, will be aligned with the sector’s.

At the meeting, the discussion focused on strengthening university-industry collaboration, training the qualified workforce needed by industrial zones, and developing educational models to better prepare students for the workforce after graduation. It was also emphasized that developing models in which not only students but also academic and administrative staff play a more active role in industrial zones would enhance the interaction between manufacturing, industry, and higher education.

Following the meeting, the YÖK delegation and our University’s delegation toured the ASTİM OSB Continuing Education Center building—which had been allocated to our University by the Aydın ASTİM Organized Industrial Zone for use in the educational activities of the Organized Industrial Vocational School. Gökhan Maraş, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aydın ASTİM OSB, and Erdem Bilgili, Regional Director of the ASTİM OSB, also participated in the visit.

The center, which houses administrative and technical offices as well as classrooms and hands-on training workshops, is intended to contribute to strengthening the practical infrastructure of vocational education. By allocating the machinery and equipment at the center to our university for use in educational activities, the goal is to increase opportunities for students to receive hands-on training tailored to the needs of the industry.