This week Prof. Dr. Altınay, Dean of EMU Faculty of Tourism, attended the “Notepad of Tourism” programme which was held under the moderation of Vice-Dean of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Faculty of Tourism Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç. The topic of “Quality and accreditation in our Universities” was discussed in the relevant programme.
Prof. Dr. Altınay who attended the programme, with Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç discussed the issues of: the point universities came; the importance of the relationship between the sector and the universities; contemporary education system practices at universities; improving inter-university collaboration; and re-structuring of Ministry of Education and Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council. EMU’s Coordinator for Quality and Accreditation, Strategic Plan and European University Association, Prof. Dr. Altınay evaluated the vision and mission of higher education that started to develop in 1986. Prof. Dr. Altınay, who explained the missions of the universities when they were first formed, listed those missions as: increase international relations; strengthen the current relations with Turkey; increase quality of the social and cultural life in TRNC. Prof. Dr. Altınay highlighted that when the point universities reached are considered in direction of these missions, a long way has been came; and it was revealed that gross national product and higher education is benefiting more from tourism and a wide field has been created.
Prof. Dr. Altınay stated that quality is an important aspect and that universities are now competing with the world. Prof. Dr. Altınay mentioned that accreditations came into stage along with quality and explained how to apply for accreditation; what it adds to higher education; and how it influences the job hunt process of graduates. Later, Prof. Dr. Altınay gave information about the many departments of EMU that got accreditation and the accreditations that have been applied for; and emphasized that with the driving force of EMU, all universities in TRNC are running the mentioned processes.
Prof. Dr. Altınay highlighted the management inadequacies in the higher education of the country and stated that all universities should collaborate to form an infrastructure and it should be supported with government policies. Prof. Dr. Altınay also evaluated the tourism schools and faculties and added that educational institutions have the opportunities to meet the needs of the sector; however, it is crucial to plan the education in the direction of the needs of the sector.
