The 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony for Higher Education Held at the Presidential Complex
President of YÖDAK Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın and the rectors of universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) attended the 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony for Higher Education, held at the Presidential Complex, Millet Congress and Culture Center, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony for Higher Education, held upon the invitation of the President of the Council of Higher Education of the Republic of Türkiye (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, took place on 6 October 2026 at the Presidential Complex, Millet Congress and Culture Center, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The ceremony was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, members of the Council of Higher Education, senior state officials, rectors of universities in Türkiye, academics and students, as well as President of the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK) Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın and the rectors of universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Bringing together senior representatives of the higher education communities of Türkiye and the TRNC, the ceremony highlighted a number of key issues, including the future of higher education, scientific research and innovation, the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education, the social and economic contributions of universities, equal opportunities in higher education, internationalisation, and the development of qualified human resources.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem, followed by opening remarks. Following the address by President of YÖK Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered remarks on the current higher education agenda.
Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education and a Human-Centred Academic Culture
One of the prominent themes of the ceremony was the impact of the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies on higher education and academic processes.
President Erdoğan noted that, throughout their historical development, universities have evolved from institutions primarily responsible for transmitting existing knowledge into institutions that generate knowledge, conduct research, and utilise the knowledge they produce to contribute to the economic and social development of society.
In this context, emphasis was placed on the importance of the “third mission” of universities, which encompasses not only education and research but also social and economic contributions.
President Erdoğan stated that artificial intelligence has made access to information considerably easier, while also pointing to new responsibilities concerning the questioning of information, comparison of different sources, investment of effort in the research process, and development of academic thinking.
The ceremony also highlighted that the relationship between academics and students goes beyond the mere transmission of information. Sharing academic experience with students, fostering scientific thinking and a culture of research, and providing guidance for students’ academic development were emphasised as fundamental elements of higher education.
In line with this approach, the importance of universities keeping pace with technological transformation in the age of artificial intelligence while preserving scientific thinking, critical inquiry, research, academic ethics, and a human-centred approach to education was underscored.
Access, Equal Opportunities and Quality in Higher Education
The ceremony also addressed Türkiye’s investments in higher education in recent years and the progress achieved in expanding access to higher education.
President Erdoğan emphasised the importance of expanding higher education institutions across different regions of the country, increasing opportunities for students to pursue their education in their own cities, and strengthening equal opportunities in access to higher education.
It was stated that, alongside the quantitative expansion of Türkiye’s higher education system, efforts to enhance the quality of education and research continue. Strengthening the physical and digital infrastructure of universities, improving student accommodation opportunities, and increasing scholarship support were highlighted as important components of higher education policies.
Internationalisation and the Global Role of Higher Education
The internationalisation objectives of Türkiye’s higher education system were also discussed during the 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony.
The importance of universities becoming more visible and competitive not only nationally but also within the international higher education landscape was emphasised. The contribution of international students to higher education systems and the role of universities in the global production of knowledge, science and culture were also highlighted.
In this context, higher education was recognised as an important instrument not only for strengthening countries’ scientific and academic capacities, but also for developing international cooperation, cultural interaction, and science diplomacy.
2026 YÖK Excellence Awards Presented
The 2026 YÖK Excellence Awards, presented by the Council of Higher Education, were also conferred during the ceremony.
In 2026, the YÖK Excellence Awards were organised under three main categories: Doctoral Dissertation of the Year Award, Institutional Awards, and Special Awards.
The Doctoral Dissertation of the Year Awards recognised original and high-quality doctoral research conducted in various fields of science. The Institutional Awards included categories such as Digital Transformation and Data-Driven Management, Entrepreneurial and Innovative University, Quality Orientation, Social Responsibility, Internationalisation, University–Business Cooperation, and Contribution to Local Development.
The Special Awards were presented in the categories of National Innovation, Science Diplomacy, and Service to Knowledge and Students.
The YÖK Excellence Awards aim to encourage and enhance the visibility of high-quality scientific research, innovative practices, social contribution activities, and initiatives undertaken by higher education institutions to support national development.
YÖDAK and the Higher Education Community of the TRNC Represented at the Ceremony
The participation of President of YÖDAK Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın and the rectors of universities operating in the TRNC was significant in terms of highlighting the academic relations and cooperation between the higher education systems of Türkiye and the TRNC.
In addition to YÖDAK’s ongoing relations with the Council of Higher Education of the Republic of Türkiye in areas such as quality assurance, accreditation, academic standards, internationalisation, and the sustainable development of higher education, efforts to strengthen the visibility of TRNC higher education within the international higher education community constitute an important dimension of this common platform.
The ceremony, which brought together senior representatives of higher education institutions from Türkiye and the TRNC, is expected to contribute to the advancement of academic knowledge sharing, institutional cooperation, and joint initiatives in the field of higher education.
The 2026–2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony served as a significant gathering demonstrating a strong shared commitment to advancing higher education in Türkiye and the TRNC along the axes of scientific quality, research and innovation, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, academic ethics, internationalisation, and social responsibility.
As YÖDAK, we wish the 2026–2027 Academic Year success, productivity, and scientific achievement for the higher education communities of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as well as for our academics, researchers, and students.
Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK)