- PRESS RELEASE -
(26.03.2020)
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION
PROF. M. A. YEKTA SARAÇ:
Members of the press...
As you all know, with the decision of our State on 12 March, Turkish universities suspended education like other schools. Subsequently, on 23 March, this suspension was annulled to avoid the interruption of education with the thought of unity in practice, and a week later education was started on digital platform through open and distance education.
Starting from the moment this pandemic reached a serious level in China, as COHE, we have been looking for good practices as we examined the statements and suggestions of the related ministries of the countries that are at a good level in higher education and the universities that are top in the rankings. The proposed measures are not any different than what we have implemented. There is still uncertainty and chaos about university life in many countries since the priorities of the countries changed as a result of this pandemic.
As CoHE, we know that this challenging period cannot be maintained with traditional methods. Therefore, considering the need to continue this struggle in a different path, we enabled the distance learning and digital learning opportunities which we launched a year ago. In addition to thousands of materials, new virtual classes are also presented to our students digitally every day.
On the other hand, faculties of open education continue to offer education. With the contribution of three universities, we opened the course materials of the programs in open education to all universities on CoHE Courses Platform. This platform has been constantly developed and enriched with the contribution of other Turkish universities. It contributes greatly to the sharing of knowledge and scientific experience.
Members of the press...
The pandemic of Covid-19 continues at full speed in the world. Staying at home for a while and withdrawing from social activities in accordance with the statements of our State is essential not only for our elderly people, but also for all age groups, including young people who are the guarantee of our future. CoHE’s requests from the universities are shaped within this framework.
As you are aware, higher education has its own characteristics. Higher education stands on the basis of equality, diversity and individuality. This makes it more active and operational. Combined with the competence of Turkish universities, the fact that CoHE has strengthened the foundation and minimum standards of Turkish higher education with agile management has also created different opportunities to combat this global scale of threat and danger. In addition, the Digital Transformation and Open Science projects, which we have initiated as the New CoHE in recent years, help our universities in this regard. Turkish universities, which we helped develop with the transfer of authority, actually stand on a solid foundation in our country. Turkish state and foundation universities know better what they should do compared to many other countries during this extraordinary period.
Members of the press...
We are in a situation where even the universities that are ranked in the top 100 in the world rankings cannot provide their students with a clear road map. When we examine the approaches and measures taken by schools and higher education institutions during the pandemic in various countries, we found out that higher education institutions did not continue education or switched to digital education. More than 150 countries around the world have closed universities at varying degrees. In some countries, some universities are closed while some are open at their own discretion. However, uncertainty largely prevails the situation. In countries where the pandemic coincided with the holiday period, terms are postponed indefinitely. Some countries in Europe, such as Germany, are among the countries that postponed the opening of the spring term, in other words they suspended universities to resume in spring. We see that education was suspended in Sweden and France. Online education is encouraged at Korean universities. If we specifically look at universities, we see that uncertainty remains and only digital platforms are recommended. For instance, we know that Harvard University has stopped face-to-face teaching during the pandemic and encouraged its students to take online courses.
It is evident that all layers of society, business world, industry, tourism, economic activities and even foreign policies are affected by such an environment. It is not possible for universities, science and academia not to be affected by this period when even global projects such as the European Union have become meaningless. However, it is our duty to help scientific processes and academic activities to survive this period with minimal damage. When this period, in which all states will come out of with some sort of damage, comes to an end, the biggest duty will fall to science and academia once again. Therefore, the wheel of science of our State should never stop. It may slow down, evolve into another form, and give up on some beneficial matters for a while. But this wheel should not stop turning completely. Turkish higher education has experience that is not available in many countries. This experience is for today and we make the most of this experience.
Today, we made decisions on some issues at the CoHE General Assembly meeting.
This year, we decided to continue the education of the spring term only through distance education, open education and digital education. In other words, face-to-face education will not be offered in the spring term.
Turkish universities will complete the programs/courses and applied courses that they cannot offer through distance education, open education and digital education at their own schedule in summer. In other words, we moved the schedule of the spring term to summer for these programs and courses. The experience of Turkish higher education about summer schools provides an extremely valuable opportunity for Turkish universities.
Considering the end dates of summer schools, we will determine the academic year calendar next year. In this regard, we believe that we can easily manage this issue in light of the practices and experiences we have had in extraordinary situations in the past years.
Therefore, we can easily say this. I hope we will manage and overcome this challenging period with minimum damage without getting the situation out of control.
Except for situations that are not deemed necessary by the Rector’s Offices, having no students at campuses is the best decision. The universities will take the necessary measures.
As for administrative and academic staff, we have been guiding and making decisions about having minimum number of employees to perform the duties. We are constantly in contact with the universities.
Today, we want our youth to consider all the warnings regarding health as citizens who are aware of their responsibilities in this extraordinarily difficult period experienced in our country and the world and refer to sources that can help them improve themselves and enrich their cultural experience. They should not expect everything to operate as before and to have the same routine. The world is not the same as it was two months ago. It is a different world now. The rules have changed, we live in the days when states that carry the banner for democracy impose restrictions on basic human rights in the name of public interest. Therefore, the expectations and demands of our youth should be within this framework. They should know that the studies of the students in the United States and European countries were also interrupted, and some of them recommended distance and digital education to their professors. But many of them closed universities and provided an environment of uncertainty to their students.
We also know that the methods of distance education and digital teaching cannot be an alternative to formal education. University life is a unique environment for socialization. However, dear students, we have to suspend formal education during these extraordinary days. In this period, we want to make use of digital possibilities for you. While some programs are offered through distance and open education, others may be offered at summer schools. We have to accept this new situation. Also, as each program foresees a different type of education, please be understanding of the different practices of universities depending on the department. Be aware that these practices prioritize your health and that these measures are taken to avoid remorse in the country.
Press members…
The other topic is YKS…
It was decided that YKS would be held on July 25-26. We took this decision to be cautious and to allow our students to take the test by getting prepared for it with a safer and calmer mind. We carry out the exam calendar together with OSYM. Our students and their families can rest assured. We have finalized our plans on this matter.
Our priority regarding the questions to be asked in YKS is to search for questions in favor of the students in a way that reflects the realities of today. The questions to be asked in the exam, and the scope and fields of these questions will be shaped according to the proposals of students in accordance with the Ministry of National Education. We are aware that entrance exams for higher education should support secondary education. The students who will take the exam can rest assured. The exam will follow the same framework. Equality of opportunity and social justice are our essential principles.
Parents and families who love our students dearly…
Please believe this. We are constantly looking for the best for our youth in these difficult times and we try to apply them. We strive to make sure that they are less affected by this process. We are watching closely what is happening at universities around the world. We make plans for the future and realize them gradually. We are currently following a controlled process. I hope we will overcome these days together with care, understanding and patience.
