IN THIS SECTION
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process that evaluates whether a higher education institution or program meets specific standards and quality criteria, documents this evaluation, and aims for continuous quality improvement. In this context, the main purpose of accreditation is to ensure that education, training, and research are carried out effectively and efficiently, to set quality standards, to increase recognition at national and international levels, to ensure the comparability of diplomas, to provide confidence to students and stakeholders, and to create a competitive advantage at both national and international levels.
The accreditation process includes internal (institutional self-evaluation) and external (evaluation conducted by independent external accreditation bodies) assessments. This process is implemented to ensure that the institution or program meets the established standards, aims for continuous quality development, protects and safeguards ethical standards.
In higher education, the authorization and recognition activities of accreditation agencies in Türkiye are managed by the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK). YÖKAK coordinates the authorization of national accreditation agencies and the recognition of international accreditation agencies within the framework of the principles and criteria it has determined.
In the Higher Education Programs and Quotas Guide published by ÖSYM, information is provided about programs accredited by agencies authorized or recognized by YÖKAK.
Benefits of Accreditation:
- Ensures that education, training, and research are carried out effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with contemporary standards. This goal is to enable higher education institutions to provide students with quality education and to conduct research that meets today’s requirements.
- Encourages institutions to develop innovative and up-to-date curricula, supports the improvement of existing programs, and ensures their effective implementation.
- Evaluates the compliance of curricula with established standards and provides a “quality seal” for these programs, thus offering students a reliable educational experience.
- Demonstrates the compliance of higher education institutions with national and international standards, thereby increasing their recognition and encouraging cooperation.
- Evaluates compliance with established quality standards and thus aims to continuously ensure the quality of education.
- Ensures that the diplomas and titles obtained by students are valid at both national and international levels, thereby providing them with a competitive advantage on a global scale.
- Enhances mutual recognition and respect between different higher education institutions, making it easier for students and academic staff to transfer between institutions.
- Facilitates the exchange of students and academic staff across different institutions, providing access to diverse educational experiences and expertise.
- Defines the standards required in certain professional fields, ensuring that graduates can succeed in these areas.
· About the Accreditation Agency:
In Türkiye, the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK) is responsible for accreditation processes in higher education, including the authorization and recognition of accreditation agencies. The process of authorizing national accreditation agencies and recognizing international accreditation agencies is carried out within the framework of the principles and criteria determined by YÖKAK.
MEDEK (Association for Vocational Education Evaluation and Accreditation)
Mission
The mission of MEDEK is to contribute to the improvement of education and training quality by providing information, external evaluation, and accreditation services for associate degree programs.
Vision
The vision of MEDEK is to be a pioneering organization that certifies quality by defining associate degree programs’ educational and research activities/administrative processes, aligning the quality of intermediate workforce with national and international standards, and sharing results with relevant institutions and organizations.
Purpose of MEDEK
To lead the training of vocational staff who keep up with professional developments, can respond to changing labor market needs, possess high professional skills and competencies, are innovative and socially responsible, able to take initiative, and meet the qualifications demanded by the relevant sector.
