December 4, 2025

President of the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) Erol Özvar met with students with autism and their families during a visit to Yıldız Technical University’s (YTU) Davutpaşa Campus on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

At a special event organized for them at YTU Yıldız Teknopark, students enjoyed a video screening and received various toys as gifts.

Özvar also attended the event, where he spoke with students and their families. Taking time to connect with each student, he invited some of them to the podium and asked questions related to their areas of interest. Especially with those who enjoy listening to music, he engaged in warm and enjoyable conversations. Students shared their favorite singers and music genres, occasionally humming melodies, making the event lively and cheerful.

Expressing his pleasure at being together with students with autism, Özvar stated in his remarks that universities are institutions open to everyone. He emphasized that the requests and expectations of families are carefully evaluated, and pointed out the importance of families communicating their needs to universities. Özvar noted that rectors and faculty members show the necessary sensitivity to respond to these requests.

“Through inclusive university policies, special quotas allow our children to pursue higher education”

Özvar recalled that, within the scope of “inclusive university” initiatives, many students benefit from higher education opportunities through special admission quotas.

He highlighted the importance of families being aware of these opportunities when preparing their children for university and stated that academic staff at universities are always ready to provide support to families.

The program concluded with a group photo of students with autism and their families.