Ondokuz Mayis University (OMU) held another meeting in which valuable information shared under the leadership of Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç on the issue of development and dissemination of "quality" culture.

In this context, Prof. Dr. Recep Öztürk, Academician in the Faculty of Medicine at İstanbul Medipol University and former member of the Council of Higher Education, was invited to Samsun by the Rector of OMU, and he gave information about the developments in the world and Turkey regarding this process and the steps to be taken in this matter through the presentation titled "Quality in Higher Education".

The meeting was held with the participation of Rector Prof. Sait Bilgiç, Vice Rector Prof. Mehmet Kuran, Vice Rector Prof. Mehmet Ali Cengiz, General Secretary Assoc. Prof. Menderes Kabadayı, rector's consultants, deans, directors of vocational schools and institutes, heads of departments, and academicians.

Rector Prof. Sait Bilgiç gave the opening speech of the meeting, and he stated that they organized such meetings and activities in order to carry out their main tasks in a planned, qualified and successful manner. Rector Bilgic emphasized that they wanted to develop the university by means of negotiations, information exchange and experience sharing with competent authorities. Prof. Sait Bilgiç expressed that they took the responsibility of sharing internal and external evaluation processes of OMU with the public in line with the concept of quality which was one of the obligations imposed on the institutions of higher education.

“We Should Internalize the Quality and Transform It into a Behavior Pattern”

Then Prof. Recep Öztürk made his own presentation and he shared the details of the quality experience in the higher education which was updated recently. In his speech, Prof Öztürk defined the quality as 'the compliance of an institution of higher education or of a program/service implemented by this institution with the standards'. Öztürk listed these standards as excellence, productivity, efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Ozturk said that the definitions of quality standards may vary in different countries, and he mentioned that this process was also reflected on Turkey by referring to implementations in various countries such as the United States, England, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Finland and Australia.

“Accreditation is an Indication of Academic Quality”

Prof. Öztürk underlined the necessity of starting the quality process by means of education and training, and he remarked that management and service should be based on the quality in accordance with certain systems. He also emphasized the importance of accreditation in the higher education, and he stated that accreditation was an indication of academic quality and a medium of accountability.

“It’s Important for OMU to Rank among Top One Thousand Universities”

Guest academician Öztürk said that it was important for OMU to rank among top thousand universities in the latest World University Rankings determined by Times Higher Education. He also enlightened the participants about the place and position of OMU in different ranking types, and he stated that OMU could find a place for itself in other ranking types by giving efforts.

At the end of the event, Rector Prof.Sait Bilgiç said that it was a great pleasure to welcome Prof. Recep Öztürk at OMU, and he presented the gift of the university and seedling certificate to the guest.

Story: Sinan Akdoğan

Photography: Gökhan Çetin