March 7, 2025 / Erzurum

CoHE President Erol Özvar visited Erzurum to attend the Coordination Meeting for Regional Universities hosted by Atatürk University.

The meeting was hosted by Atatürk University in Erzurum under the chairmanship of Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education. CoHE Deputy President Prof. Haldun Göktaş, CoHE Executive Members Prof. Naci Gündoğan and Prof. Erol Arcaklıoğlu and the rectors of the 16 universities in the region attended the meeting.

Özvar stated that higher education is facing many economic and strategic challenges today, with financial problems and sustainability issues at the top of the list. He stated that increasing competition in higher education encourages quality and innovation, but also brings along the problem of inequitable resource distribution. He pointed out that all these challenges force universities to focus not only on short-term financial problems but also on long-term sustainability strategies. He also noted that regional cooperation and collaboration among universities would provide new opportunities for the higher education system.

Özvar stated that the legislation is appropriate for universities to establish joint research centers, citing the example of NÖROM, which was established in Ankara with the cooperation of Gazi University, Ankara University and METU, and called on the university rectors attending the meeting. “Our universities in the Eastern Anatolia Region can also form similar centers. I believe that it would be extremely beneficial for our universities to start consultations among themselves and take the necessary steps without delay. As the Council of Higher Education, we will provide all kinds of support to our universities.”

Özvar emphasized that rapid technological changes and new solutions based on automation and AI have caused some traditional professions to lose their importance. He stated that in order to facilitate employment in the labor market, the variety and duration of internship and workplace practice opportunities offered at universities have been increased. He noted that the practices of vocational schools in Organized Industrial Zones are among the most successful examples in this field.

Stating that they aim for universities to establish a stronger bond with industry, technology, health, agriculture and service sectors and contribute to employment dynamics, especially through vocational schools, Özvar announced that they will sign a protocol with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye in the coming days. With the protocol, he stated that a strong bond will be established between vocational colleges in different provinces of Türkiye and the chambers and stock exchanges affiliated to the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye.

He stated that the Council of Higher Education care about universities contributing more to their regions and directly serving Türkiye's development goals and that they are taking steps to support this.

CoHE President Erol Özvar began his visit to Erzurum by attending the senate meeting of Atatürk University. Following the senate meeting, he met with students at a sahur event hosted by Erzurum Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Sekmen with the participation of Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi.

Özvar visited the newly established Science Communication Office at the university and wished them success. Then he congratulated the university officials for the opening of the Science Communication Office in a short time.

Özvar visited Erzurum Ata Ice Artifacts Museum, Eastern Anatolia High Technology Application and Research Center, and then opened the Department of Basic Dentistry Science at Atatürk University. He concluded his visit by meeting with students at Erzurum Technical University.