"Think not only about today, but about the next 40 years of your working life."

"Choosing a university is no longer just about choosing a degree program."

"Base your choices on your interests and talents, not on which programs happen to be popular."

"We should listen to the young people, guide them, but not pressure them."

July 24, 2026

President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar addressed university applicants, their families, and the public ahead of the 2026 university selection period. Stressing that choosing a university is about far more than selecting an academic program, Özvar said young people are about to make a decision that will shape approximately 40 years of their professional lives.

Congratulating candidates on completing a long and demanding examination process, Özvar emphasized that the selection period is just as important as the examination itself and encouraged students to make decisions based on their interests and talents.

Highlighting that a well-informed university choice provides a strong starting point, a high-quality educational environment, and valuable opportunities for professional development, Özvar said: "The decision you make today will not determine every stage of your life. However, a well-considered university choice will provide you with a strong starting point, a high-quality learning environment, and valuable opportunities to prepare for your professional career."

"Don't Make Your Choice Based Only on Today's Conditions"

Özvar noted that the business world is undergoing a profound transformation, with fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, the green transition, digital manufacturing, and financial technologies creating entirely new professions.

He pointed out that a young person entering university today is preparing for a career spanning roughly four decades. During that time, technologies will evolve, some professions will disappear, and many new occupations will emerge.

For this reason, Özvar said applicants should consider not only the job they hope to pursue after graduation, but also whether the program they choose will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to adapt to changing conditions. He advised prospective students: "Do not make your decision hastily, based solely on opinions you hear from others or on programs that happen to be popular this year. Get to know yourself, examine the programs carefully, and think long term."

"We Are Preparing Higher Education for the Future"

Özvar stated that the Council of Higher Education has been carrying out a comprehensive transformation of the higher education system in recent years, restructuring it in line with technological advances, new production models, and evolving workforce needs.

"We are building a system that will prepare you not only for today's world, but for the world of the future. In that future, the most valuable qualification will belong to those who continue to develop themselves throughout their lives." He added that Türkiye's higher education system—with 208 universities and nearly 7 million students—has developed into a strong academic ecosystem, offering young people an education capable of preparing them to compete globally through universities' research, entrepreneurship, and innovation capacity.

"A Diploma Alone Is No Longer Enough"

Özvar emphasized that possessing a university diploma alone is no longer sufficient for success in today's labor market. According to him, employers increasingly seek graduates who possess not only disciplinary knowledge but also practical experience, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, digital competencies, and strong communication skills.

To address these expectations, he said the Council is expanding workplace-based education models lasting one or two semesters instead of short-term internships. Under this approach, students spend a significant part of their education in companies, factories, healthcare institutions, laboratories, and organizations related to their fields of study. Özvar noted that the pilot implementation currently underway in Gaziantep, Konya, Istanbul, Bursa, Kocaeli, Izmir, and Ankara covers 185 academic programs and approximately 120,000 students. He also pointed out that employment rates among graduates of Organized Industrial Zone Vocational Schools have exceeded 90 percent.

"Be Sure to Consider Associate Degree Programs"

Özvar also encouraged applicants to carefully consider associate degree programs with strong practical training infrastructure. He noted that demand for highly qualified technical professionals is increasing rapidly across sectors including robotics, cybersecurity, digital manufacturing, energy, healthcare, the defense industry, pharmaceutical production, smart agriculture, and logistics.

"What matters is not the length of the program, but the knowledge, skills, experience, and connection to working life that it provides." He stressed that highly skilled technicians will play a critical role in the production systems of the future.

Message to Families and Advice for Students Planning to Study Abroad

Addressing students who intend to pursue higher education abroad, Özvar emphasized that they should verify before enrolling whether the institution they plan to attend is recognized by the Council of Higher Education. He reminded applicants that diplomas awarded by unrecognized higher education institutions cannot be granted equivalency in Türkiye and stressed that no university or academic program can be guaranteed equivalency in advance.

Özvar also delivered an important message to families, encouraging parents to support their children's decisions based on their interests and talents rather than outdated perceptions of particular professions. "We should listen to our young people, guide them, but not pressure them." Concluding his remarks, Özvar addressed young people directly: "You are the generation that will build not only your own future, but also the future of Türkiye. We believe in you. Dream big."