As a result of the audit report prepared regarding KSTU, YÖDAK has made important decisions.

Meeting date: March 27, 2025

Meeting place: YÖDAK

Start time: 10.00

End time: 16:30

Number of agenda items: 17

Number of decisions: 17+5

Meeting number: 2025/10

Participants:

EVALUATOR:

1.  URGENT MATTERS

AGENDA ITEM 1

Discussion on the report prepared regarding the inspection conducted at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University and the response letter submitted by the university.

DECISION 1

The report prepared regarding the inspection conducted at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University and the response letter submitted by the university were discussed. As a result of the evaluation;

Pursuant to YÖDAK’s decision dated February 20, 2025, and numbered 2025/06, the Audit Report, prepared following the inspection conducted at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University on July 4, 2024, was shared on March 14, 2025, with the Republic Assembly, the Prime Ministry, the Ministry of National Education, and the aforementioned university. The university submitted its response letter concerning the report on March 24, 2025. Upon evaluating both the Audit Report and the response letter;

1.                  It was identified that students holding Turkish Republic citizenship were enrolled in the following programs without the approval of YÖK: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Pharmacy (English), Bachelor of Medicine (English), and Bachelor of Dentistry (English). Additionally, it was found that students holding TRNC citizenship were registered in the Bachelor of Dentistry and Bachelor of Medicine programs with incomplete documentation in their personal files. Furthermore, it was determined that the admission and registration of international students (those who are neither TRNC nor Turkish Republic citizens) in the Bachelor of Education in Coaching, Bachelor of Medicine (English), and Bachelor of Dentistry (English) programs were conducted in violation of the relevant regulations. Also, it was noted that horizontal transfers to the Bachelor of Education in Coaching and Bachelor of Dentistry (English) programs were carried out contrary to the regulations. Given these findings, as detailed in the Audit report, the university is to be warned in accordance with Article 9.(3). (B) of the Higher Education Institutions Audit Regulation. The university is required to notify YÖDAK of the adjustments made and measures taken for all programs related to the warning within 3 months from the date of notification of the decision. Failure to do so will result in the initiation of further disciplinary investigations under the aforementioned regulation.

2.   It was identified in Sections 10 and 11, as well as in Table 1 of the Audit Report, that there are deficiencies and regulatory violations in the academic processes related to undergraduate and postgraduate course and thesis files, examinations, and assessment and evaluation practices

conducted at the university. In accordance with Article 9.(3). (C) of the Higher Education Institutions

Audit Regulation, the university is to be warned. The university is required to inform YÖDAK of the adjustments made and measures taken for all programs related to the warning within 3 months from the date of notification of the decision. Failure to comply will result in the initiation of further disciplinary investigations under the aforementioned regulation.

3.  It was identified in the Audit Report that students were enrolled in the Restorative Dentistry PhD and Nursing Bachelor (English) programs, which do not have permission to commence education, in violation of the TRNC Higher Education legislation. Pursuant to Articles 9.(4).(I) and (H) of the Higher Education Institutions Audit Regulation, a further disciplinary investigation is to be initiated against the university. As part of the initiated investigation, the university is to be invited to YÖDAK on April 7, 2025, to present an oral defense. If the university chooses not to exercise its right to an oral defense, it will be informed that it may submit a written defense by the specified date. Additionally, the university will be notified that failure to present an oral or written defense by the specified date will be considered as an acceptance of the findings made against it.

4.   As detailed in the Audit Report and communicated to the university, it was identified that the doctoral titles granted within the Graduate Education, Teaching, and Research Institute do not meet the Doctoral Publication Requirement set by the Interuniversity Academic Coordination Board (ÜAKK), as mandated by the legislation. In accordance with Article 9.(4).(E) of the Higher Education Institutions Audit Regulation, a further disciplinary investigation is to be initiated against the university. As part of the investigation, the university is to be invited to YÖDAK on April 7, 2025, to present an oral defense. If the university chooses not to exercise its right to an oral defense, it will be informed that it may submit a written defense by the specified date. Furthermore, the university will be notified that failure to present an oral or written defense by the specified date will be considered as an acceptance of the findings made against it.

5.   As detailed in the Audit Report and communicated to the university, it was identified that the Associate Professorship appointment file of Assoc. Prof. Hülya Şenol lacks sufficient documentation regarding the language certificate and contains deficiencies in the jury signatures, specifically missing handwritten signatures. Pursuant to Article 9.(4).(F) of the Higher Education Institutions Audit Regulation, a further disciplinary investigation is to be initiated against the university. As part of the initiated investigation, the university is to be invited to YÖDAK on April 7, 2025, to present an oral defense. If the university chooses not to exercise its right to an oral defense, it will be informed that it may submit a written defense by the specified date. Furthermore, the university will be notified that failure to present an oral or written defense by the specified date will be considered as an acceptance of the findings made against it.

6.   As detailed in the Audit Report and communicated to the university, it was identified that the curricula of the Dentistry Bachelor (Turkish/English) programs at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University were not properly implemented during the relevant audit period. In accordance with Article 9.(4).(D) of the Higher Education Institutions Audit Regulation, a further disciplinary investigation is to be initiated against the university. As part of the initiated investigation, the university is to be invited to YÖDAK on April 7, 2025, to present an oral defense. If the university chooses not to exercise its right to an oral defense, it will be informed that it may submit a written defense by the specified date. Furthermore, the university will be notified that failure to present an oral or written defense by the specified date will be considered as an acceptance of the findings made against it.

7.   As detailed in the Audit Report and in line with the response letter from the university dated March 24, 2025, it was found that the number of faculty members assigned and employed in the following programs at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University does not meet the minimum faculty requirements stipulated by the legislation. Additionally, deficiencies were identified in the

Institutions Audit Regulation. It is also recommended that the Preliminary Opening Permits granted by the Ministry of National Education of the TRNC be re-evaluated,

a)  Medical Laboratory Techniques Associate degree (Turkish)

b)  Radiotherapy Associate degree (Turkish)

c)  Opticianry Associate degree (Turkish)

d)  Occupational Health and Safety Associate degree (Turkish)

e)  Emergency and First Aid Associate degree (Turkish)

f)  Dialysis Associate degree (Turkish)

g)  Anesthesia Associate degree (Turkish)

h)  Operating Room Services Associate degree (Turkish)

I) Justice Associate degree (Turkish)

j)  Health Management Bachelor degree (English) (within the Faculty of Health)

k)  Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Bachelor degree (English) (within the Faculty) l)Nutrition and Dietetics Bachelor degree (English) (within the Faculty)

m) Child Development Bachelor degree (English) (within the Faculty)

n)   Sociology Bachelor degree (English)

o)   Social Work Bachelor degree (English)

p)   Guidance and Psychological Counseling/Psychological Counseling and Guidance Bachelor degree (English)

q)   Psychology Bachelor degree (English)

r)   Law Bachelor degree (English)

s)   Primary Education Mathematics Teaching/Mathematics Teaching Bachelor degree (Turkish)

Unanimously.