In scope of the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) School of Computing and Technology (SCT) and Cyprus Turkish Electrical Contractors’ Association (CTECA) joint organisation, the ‘Short-Term Certification Training Programmes’, sponsored by the European Union, has begun at EMU-SCT on February 5th, 2019. The first of the certification programme, the 15KVA technicians’ license examination preparation course, was given to a crowded group of participants by course instructor Ali Azimli between 18:00 and 20:00. All the certification courses to take place at EMU-SCT will be given to EMU-SCT students and other voluntary trainees for free of charge and participants will be presented with certificates at the end of the course.
EMU-SCT Director Prof. Dr. Mustafa İlkan briefed the participants about the SCT, a link between secondary and higher vocational education (that is an important part of the education system) and underlined some topics such as the current situation of vocational education, policies, requirements and current problems. Prof. Dr. İlkan emphasised on the importance of the connected education between vocational high-schools and SCT. He stated that ‘intermediate staff’ and ‘vocational education’ should be given their rightful importance. Prof. Dr. İlkan emphasised that regulations on the Employment Laws’ class, salary scale and grade sections should consider SCT graduates separately. He underlined that such regulations on this last link on vocational education would increase the interest in occupational higher education institutions and vocational high-schools; and would also improve quality. Stating that the issue was brought to the attention of many previous ministers of government, Prof. Dr. İlkan said that the topic was also brought to the current government and ministers. Prof. Dr. İlkan said that the markets are in a dire need of quality intermediate staff with vocational training, who can operate in various fields. He said that elements encouraging vocational education should be put to use and that these elements should not be blocked by evasive approaches. Underlining that, starting from secondary education, knowledge and skill based guidance of students is crucial, Prof. Dr. İlkan also emphasised on the importance of taking necessary precautions for preventing possible occupational disadvantages as the number of higher-education institutions increases in our country.