August 7, 2025 / Istanbul

CoHE President Erol Özvar attended the board meeting of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO). In his opening speech, Özvar drew attention to the sensitive psychological state of prospective students during the university application process and called on all segments of society to take responsibility. He pointed out that the application period is an extremely critical and exciting process for students. He stated that universities are fundamental institutions that must be embraced. He also emphasized the importance of supporting prospective university students during the application process.

Özvar stated that they view university-industry cooperation as a necessity rather than a choice. He emphasized that they continue their work with the vision of implementing a higher education system that is sensitive to employment, prioritizes practical education, keeps up with technological developments, and is based on cooperation with all stakeholders. He noted that they place great importance on vocational education and continue their efforts to restructure vocational schools.

Özvar stated that they conducted another important project related to vocational education with the vocational schools established in organized industrial zones, and pointed out that the collaboration is a successful model that focuses on hands-on training and provides employment opportunities for graduates. Özvar explained that under this model, students spend certain periods of their education in industrial establishments in a practical manner, curricula are updated in collaboration with the sector, and internship and employment opportunities are strengthened through cooperation protocols.

Özvar recalled that the Council of Higher Education signed an important protocol with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye to strengthen university-sector cooperation, saying, “This protocol, which will cover the programs of 388 vocational schools at 103 universities in the first stage, is not just a declaration of intent but a roadmap based on an active action plan.”

He emphasized the importance they attach to expanding this structure that integrates industry and education across Türkiye, noting that infrastructure, technological equipment, accommodation, and transportation support are also planned to support students' hands-on training, and that they aim to develop strong collaborations with the Istanbul Chamber of Industry.

Özvar stated that while guiding the transformation process in higher education, they attach great importance to global trends such as digitalization and green transformation. Noting that the business world will need graduates who are not only technically skilled but also digitally literate, knowledgeable about sustainable production techniques, and familiar with environmentally friendly practices in the coming period, Özvar stated that it has become imperative for Turkish universities to adapt to the processes of digital transformation and the green economy.

He stated that the issue of the skills gap has become an important global challenge that concerns the entire world. Pointing out that one of the most important reasons for the mobility emerging in the international employment market is the global skills gap, he emphasized that attributing this gap to universities, which are among Türkiye's investments over the past two decades, and pointing to the number of university graduates as the usual suspect is not looking for the source of the problem in the right place.

He expressed his great appreciation for the Chamber's efforts to develop university-industry collaboration. Özvar concluded his remarks by expressing his hope that the meeting would pave the way for new opportunities in higher education and industry collaboration.

In his speech, Erdal Bahçıvan, Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors, stated that university-industry cooperation is of strategic importance for Türkiye's sustainable development goals and that the cooperation protocols signed with Istanbul University, Istanbul Technical University, and Yıldız Technical University have transformed this vision into concrete results.

Emphasizing that universities are indispensable partners of industry in terms of knowledge production, technology development, and training qualified human resources, Bahçıvan noted that the Chamber has held over 100 meetings, established 120 concrete partnerships, and supported numerous theses and research projects with its new university-industry cooperation model. He also emphasized that the strategic partnerships established with universities directly contribute to the industry's competitive strength by providing qualified labor and innovative production capacity.