Upon a call from the TRNC Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council, Education Faculty Deans gathered on the 7th of March 2017 setting up a council to evaluate Faculty problems based on scientific data and to ensure that education, research/publication and social responsibility activities are run in a productive manner.
Founding Chair from Eastern Mediterranean University
The Council aims to coordinate with the Education Faculties Deans Council in Turkey. The first Chair of the council became Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Education Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam.
The deans who met at EMU for the first time on the 24th of March 2017 soon settled on the name EFDEK-TRNC. The council members that also set up a Directive in order to arrange the procedures and principles of its formation, aims, areas of activity, tasks and mode of operation carried out their second meeting recently.
Dialogue and Collaboration Spirit Blossoms
EFDEK-TRNC Chair Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam pointed to a newly blossoming collaboration spirit and dialogue between TRNC University Education Faculties as a result of the formation of the council. Indicating that she is very pleased about this, Prof. Dr. Vancı Osam highlighted that this Faculty is one of the most popular Faculties whose contributions to their respective universities is a lot higher than other faculties. Prof. Dr. Vancı Osam also maintained that Education Faculties play vital roles in increasing the quality of educational operations of universities.
The Objective is Quality Assurance in Teacher Training
During the recently held second meeting of EFDEK-TRNC a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis of TRNC Education Faculties took place. Especially focusing on weaknesses and threats the analysis aimed to capatlize on opportunities in order to increase the Faculties teacher raising quality. To reach this aim work will be carried out on a strategic plan that will lead to Education Faculties in the TRNC collaborating with Turkish and international educational institutions.
The aims of the strategic plan are as follows: developing scientific work, public service and the educational structure of Education Faculties in the TRNC, applying for national and international accreditations, developing collaborations in Turkey and international collaborations, collaboration with the government.
Work Initiated by YÖDAK
TRNC Education Faculty Deans Council Chair Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam noted “We would like to thank YÖDAK for initiating this work. As soon as the National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in Turkey is completed we will revise the programs of Education Faculties accordingly”, indicating that a lot of work awaits them.
As a result of the Directive based on the articles of YÖDAK legistlation, each university Education Faculty Dean will in turn be Chair of the Council for a period of one year. The council will meet at least twice a year.