AQAS International Projects Officer Ronny Heintze Visited YÖDAK

The Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK) hosted Mr. Ronny Heintze, International Projects Officer of AQAS (Agency for Quality Assurance through Accreditation of Study Programs), one of Germany’s internationally respected quality assurance and accreditation agencies, at the Presidency of YÖDAK.
During the meeting held in the Council’s meeting hall with the President and members of YÖDAK, the parties exchanged views on the development of quality assurance systems in higher education, international accreditation processes, current practices within the European Higher Education Area, and quality-oriented higher education governance.
YÖDAK provided information on the Council’s responsibilities for planning, evaluation, accreditation, and coordination within the higher education system of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as well as on the initiatives it has undertaken to enhance quality assurance. In this context, discussions focused on efforts to improve the quality of education and instruction in higher education institutions, strengthen institutional quality culture, support a transparent and accountable management approach, and ensure compliance with international quality standards.
Mr. Ronny Heintze, on behalf of AQAS, shared information regarding quality assurance and programme accreditation processes carried out within the framework of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). It was emphasized during the meeting that accreditation is not merely a process documenting compliance with certain standards, but also an important quality management tool that promotes continuous improvement in higher education institutions, supports student-centred learning, strengthens accountability, and enhances international recognition.
The meeting also included evaluations concerning the enhancement of the effectiveness of internal and external quality assurance mechanisms, the assessment of programme outcomes, the dissemination of quality-oriented approaches in teaching and learning processes, the strengthening of stakeholder participation, the impact of digitalisation on quality assurance processes, and examples of international good practices.
The parties underlined the importance of international cooperation for the sustainability of quality assurance in higher education and reached a common understanding that the sharing of knowledge and experience would make significant contributions to the development of higher education systems.
In his remarks regarding the meeting, YÖDAK President Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın stated that cooperation with international quality assurance agencies is of great importance for the development of the higher education system of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Prof. Dr. Hocanın said:
“As YÖDAK, our primary objective is to support the continuous development of our higher education system in line with international quality standards, further strengthen the quality culture within our universities, and enhance its visibility in the international arena. The exchange of knowledge and experience with reputable European quality assurance agencies such as AQAS makes significant contributions to the achievement of these goals. We regard quality assurance not merely as an accreditation process, but as a fundamental component of a culture of continuous improvement that encompasses all stakeholders in higher education. Accordingly, we will continue with determination to develop international collaborations and to integrate our higher education system more strongly into the global quality assurance ecosystem.”
The meeting concluded with the exchange of good wishes and discussions on potential areas for future cooperation, followed by the presentation of a commemorative gift and a group photograph to mark the occasion.

Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK)