TRNC universities hold meeting on international accreditation applications

The Higher Education Planning, Supervision, Accreditation and Coordination Board (YÖDAK) and the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK) held a comprehensive information meeting regarding applications for the International Institutional Accreditation Program (UKAP) for universities operating in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The meeting, held at the Arkın Creative Arts and Design University (ARUCAD) Conference Hall, was attended by rectors, quality board representatives, and administrators from 11 universities. YÖDAK President Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocan emphasized the importance of quality assurance processes and international accreditation to address challenges regarding the political recognition of the TRNC and the perceived validity of its diplomas.

Hocan noted that while national accreditation processes in Turkey typically take two to three years, the UKAP could reduce this period to one year for successful institutions and facilitate early registration with the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR), thereby certifying the quality of higher education in the region.