A “Vocational Education Workshop” has been held in cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ministry of National Education, Vocational Technical Education Department and Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU). The opening of the said workshop, organized with the theme of “Life and Work Skills” took place on Tuesday, 31 May, 2022, at 09:30 a.m., at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center with the participation of the TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu.
“TRNC Has Great Values and Resources in Education”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of Vocational Technical Education Department Gülşen Hocanın stated that vocational education aims to raise innovative, entrepreneurial, productive, high-quality workforce with national and international professional qualifications and values in cooperation with social and economic sectors. Providing information about the national and international projects carried out by the Vocational Technical Education Department, Hocanın drew attention to the importance of strengthening relations with social stakeholders, namely chambers and unions. Underlining that the TRNC has great values and resources in terms of education, Hocanın shared information about the work to be done at the workshop.
“Vocational Education is Very Important for the TRNC”
Speaking at the ceremony, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın stated that vocational education is a very important field for the TRNC. Emphasizing the responsibility of EMU as a state university in sharing its accumulation and experience when it comes to quality in education, Prof. Dr. Hocanın talked about the important elements that the university has experienced in its programs’ journey to quality since its foundation in 1979. Noting that in order to achieve quality in education, learning outcomes must be determined and, at the same time, they must be measurable, Prof. Dr. Hocanın noted that after the assessment, the missing parts should be determined and corrected and the cycle of continuous improvement should continue. Noting that EMU has completed all of its general quality processes before the eyes of an external evaluator, Prof. Dr. Hocanın pointed out that, as a result of this, EMU's work has been certified on an international scale, and that it is also at the top of international rankings. Prof. Dr. Hocanın stated that the workshop would yield fruitful results and wished everyone a good event.
“I Wish the Workshop Reports Shed Light on the Country”
Speaking at the ceremony, TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu stated that he was proud to be attending the workshop and added that while the youth in the country complained about unemployment or migrated, the fact that 40 thousand people with work permits could come to the country and earn their living here is an indication that something went wrong. Drawing attention to the importance of bringing the public and private sectors together, Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that it is their duty to determine the needs of the country and to chart the path to be followed. Stating that the workshop is a part of this duty, Minister Çavuşoğlu pointed out the necessity of creating a permanent national education policy and keeping it at a different point above politics. Emphasizing the sine qua non of vocational training, Minister Çavuşoğlu pointed out that the industry should be aware that protecting its own land and people is about embracing them and giving them a chance to grow. Minister Çavuşoğlu wished that the reports of the workshop would shed light on the country.
Groups and Topics
Four different working groups took part in the workshop, which aimed to standardize vocational education in the TRNC, integrate educational quality with the world, and achieve sustainable flexible vocational education. Representatives from ministries, political parties, universities, instructors, non-governmental organizations and municipalities were also present in the working groups.
The topic of "Law/Administration" was covered under the chairing of Gülşen Hocanın, Director of the TRNC Ministry of National Education, Department of Vocational and Technical Education. In this topic, issues such as effective mechanisms and methods for the implementation of a vocational qualification framework, standardization of measurement and evaluation in the certification system, and laws, regulations and responsibilities in vocational education have been discussed.
The topic of "Programs/Vocational Standards" was discussed under the chairing of Murad Aktuğ, Director of TRNC Ministry of National Education, Department of Education and Discipline. The said topic covered issues such as the principles of developing programs, teaching plans, and teacher field competencies.
The topic of “The Relationship of Business Life and Recruitment with School and University” has been covered under the chairing of EMU School of Computing and Technology Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazife Dimililer. In this topic, the qualifications of schools and universities, transitions to business life, and supporting schools will be discussed.
The topic of “Lifelong Education” was covered under the chairing of EMU Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç. Subjects such as life-long responsibilities of schools and universities, standardization of applied programs and education, recognition and validity of certificates were discussed during the said session.
The workshop came to an end at 16:00 with a meeting where the group decisions were announced.