Internationalization of Higher Education in Northern Cyprus: «Recognized Universities of an Unrecognized Country» Prof.Dr.Olgun Çiçek - YÖDAK www.eurieeducationsummit.com

Higher Education in North Cyprus One of the top two sectors Since 1979 (Higher Institute of Technology) The first university in 1985. Currently 19 Universities (accredited by YÖK/YÖDAK) as of February 2017. Total spending by students 1.2 bn USD (28% of GDP) www.eurieeducationsummit.com

Higher Education in North Cyprus Population : 300,000. Number of Universities: 14 (YÖK/YÖDAK) + 5 (YÖDAK) Number of Students: 93,833 Students from Turkey: 52,824 ( %56.4 ) Local Students: 13,765 ( %14.6) International Students: 27,244 (% 29 ) Students from :125 countries Teaching Staff from : 65 countries. www.eurieeducationsummit.com

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ORIGIN COUNTRY STUDENT NUMBER NIJERIA 7274 ZIMBABWE 1882 SYRIA 1857 JORDAN 1793 IRAN 1943 PAKISTAN 1506 IRAK 1110 LIBYA 1126 EGYPT 681 AZERBAJIAN 511 TURKMENISTAN 406 INDIA 270 RUSSIA 201 LEBANON 372 KAZAKHISTAN 475 KONGO 403 www.eurieeducationsummit.com

Higher Education Institutions in North Cyprus INSTITUTE OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY (1979) Then EASTERN MEDDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY (1986) GIRNE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY (1985) NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY (1988) LEFKE EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY (1990) CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (1996) MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY – NORTH CYPRUS CAMPUS (2004) ISTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY – NORTH CYPRUS CAMPUS (2009) MEDITERRANEAN KARPAZ UNIVERSITY(2012) UNIVERSITY OF KYRENIA (2013) CYPRUS SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (2013) CYPRUS SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY (2014) AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS (2014) CYPRUS HEALTH AND SOCIAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (2015) FINAL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (2016) *Accredited by both YÖDAK and YÖK  

Higher Education Institutions in North Cyprus (Cont.) 15. CYPRUS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (2014) 16. NICOSIA COSMOPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (2015), 17. EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY (2017), 18. ADAKENT UNIVERSITY (2017) 19. CYPRUS BAHÇEŞEHİR UNIVERSITY (2017) * Accredited by YÖDAK

Eastern Mediterranean University

Near East University

Cyprus International University

Girne American University

European University of Lefke

Higher Education @ all levels: Associate Degrees (2-years of vocational education) Undergraduate Degrees (4-years) Master Degrees (1-2 years) Doctoral Degrees (3-4 years) Short Courses (Certificate Programs) www.eurieeducationsummit.com

International Accreditations Majority of universities accredited by; ABET, (ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY) ASIIN, (PROGRAMME AND INSTITUTIONAL) FIBAA, (SOCIAL SCIENCE, MANAGEMENT) IACBE, (BUSINESS) ACPE, (PHARMACY) AACSB (BUSINESS) www.eurieeducationsummit.com

International Accreditations (cont.) ECBE, (BUSINESS) EAQUALS, (LANGUAGE) MÜDEK, (ENGINEERING ) MİAK, (ARCHITECTURE) TEDQUAL, (TOURISM) EDEXCEL (VOCATIONAL) www.eurieeducationsummit.com

MEMBERSHIP FOR ASSOCIATIONS Turkish Cypriot universities are full members of the following associations;  European Universities Association (EUA) International Association of Universities (IAU) Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) www.eurieeducationsummit.com

ACTIONS/GOALS IN HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN A: Promotion of Sustainable structure in Higher Eduation Institutions B- Improving the Quality of Higher Education C- Improving the Infrastructure of Higher Education D: Research and Development and Publicity E: Improving Student satisfaction F: Institutionalization of higher education institutions and YODAK

Ongoing EU Projects to Improve the Quality in Higher Education EU Project: mutual recognition and free movement of 7 professions as part of harmonization to EU acquis. World Bank Project : VETLAM I-II (Employability)

YÖDAK (HIGHER EDUCATION COUNCIL) Higher Education Law (2005) YÖDAK established as an autonomous body (2006) The Law updated in 2009 and recently March 2017 Act as a Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education with 5 members Main functions of YÖDAK; Planing Coordination Accreditation Evaluation www.eurieeducationsummit.com

YÖDAK (HIGHER EDUCATION COUNCIL) YÖDAK is an associate member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA). YÖDAK is a full member of the International Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (INQAAHE) and YÖDAK is a full member of the Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA). YÖDAK is a board member of the Association of Quality Assurance Agencies of The Islamic World (AQAAIW).   www.eurieeducationsummit.com

SWOT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORTH CYPRUS STRENGTHS: Internatıonal accreditations Affordable fees / High rate of scholarships Accommodation facilities Wide range of academic and Professional programs at all levels Education in English Multicultural environment International students and faculty members www.eurieeducationsummit.com

SWOT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORTH CYPRUS (Cont.) International collaborations with other countries Integrated with Turkish HE and YÖK Hospitality of Local People Easy procedures for entry and exit (visa policy) Peacfull and safe environment Warm Climate Full of activities (mountains, valley, sea…) www.eurieeducationsummit.com

SWOT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORTH CYPRUS WEAKNESSES: Political unrecognition No direct flights from third countries Lack of Public Transport Cost of travel in and out Lack of Research and Development Lack of Community Service Lack of coordination between the stakeholders www.eurieeducationsummit.com

SWOT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORTH CYPRUS THREATS: Lack of qualified teaching faculty Internal & unfair competition Lack of planning for types of programs and quotas for local students Lack of standardized entry requirements for student intake Health and Safety issues for international students Immigration and security issues Regional Competition www.eurieeducationsummit.com

SWOT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORTH CYPRUS OPPORTUNITIES: Unification of the Island (EU membership) Boost other industries (i.e. Tourism and travel) More research and development as well as innovation centers Image and recognition of the country as «Island of HE» www.eurieeducationsummit.com

SWOT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORTH CYPRUS OPPORTUNITIES: Attracting more international students from Europe and region Attracting more universities from abroad Attracting more faculty members form abroad Government support for policy and funding for the HE Institutions www.eurieeducationsummit.com

FUTURE PROSPECTS More universities on the way Thematic / Boutique universities More competition both internally and externally International /EU Standards Quality vs Quantity New markets for more students More qualified Teaching staff Employment opportunities for graduates www.eurieeducationsummit.com

THANK YOU www.eurieeducationsummit.com