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

2. 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
Total spending by students 1.2 bn USD (28% of GDP)

3. 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.

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Eastern Mediterranean University

9. Near East University

10. Cyprus International University

11. Girne American University

12. European University of Lefke

13. 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)

14. 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)

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

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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)

19. 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

20. 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).

21. 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

22. 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…)

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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»

26. 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

27. 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

28. THANK YOU