Kırşehir Ahi Evran University has recently been awarded the 5-Star Excellence Certificate by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). This significant achievement is considered a solid indication of the university's dedication to excellence. The award ceremony took place on December 7, 2023, at the Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Congress and Culture Center, where the EFQM 5-Star Model Certificate was presented to Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil. Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak, the President of the Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC), attended the ceremony as an honorary guest. The special day, attended by Kırşehir Chief Public Prosecutor Soner Aygün, the former Rector Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, university staff, students, and various guests, once again highlighted the university's commitment to quality.
Vice-Rector and Quality Management Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, delivered the opening speech at the ceremony, sharing the university's journey towards achieving success through quality management. Şimşek emphasized the value of every step taken towards excellence, inspired by the philosophy of Akhism, and underscored the importance they attached to quality management systems. He highlighted that the ISO Quality Management System Certificate obtained by the university in 2018 was a significant milestone in this success. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek expressed that this significant moment in the university's journey of quality filled them with great pride and happiness. He noted the determination, perseverance, and dedication of university employees in this pursuit of excellence, guided by the principles of Akhism. Şimşek emphasized that every step taken by the university in this process, every success achieved, required effort and sacrifice. He pointed out that these successes were not just documents or awards but also the result of challenging times, sacrifice, and solidarity shared.
Şimşek emphasized the precious spirit of unity and solidarity demonstrated by university employees, administrators, and students throughout this process, underscoring that standing together like a family, they have propelled the university towards the future with their belief in and dedication to quality. He expressed his gratitude to the former rector, Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, and Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, acknowledging their visionary leadership and support as crucial elements in the success achieved. Şimşek stated that thanks to their visionary leadership and support, the university has taken solid steps in its journey of quality.
Şimşek pointed out that behind this success, there is not only the effort of the employees but also the contributions of everyone who supports the university. Expressing gratitude to the university's students, academics, administrative staff, and all external stakeholders, Şimşek concluded by emphasizing that the journey of quality would continue in the future.
Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Takes the Lead in Quality
In a speech delivered at the ceremony, our esteemed rector, Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, expressed his satisfaction with the university's continued focus on quality-oriented efforts without interruption. Karakaya highlighted that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University served as an example to other institutions and played a pioneering role in the field of quality. He acknowledged the significant achievements of the university in quality work during the ceremony and extended his thanks to everyone who contributed to this process. Karakaya also mentioned that under the leadership of Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, the university would successfully maintain its quality management process.
In a speech delivered at the ceremony, our esteemed rector, Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, expressed his satisfaction with the university's continued focus on quality-oriented efforts without interruption. Karakaya highlighted that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University served as an example to other institutions and played a pioneering role in the field of quality. He acknowledged the significant achievements of the university in quality work during the ceremony and extended his thanks to everyone who contributed to this process. Karakaya also mentioned that under the leadership of Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, the university would successfully maintain its quality management process.
Karakaya gave detailed information about the university's past achievements and how these successes supported the university's quality-focused vision. He particularly emphasized that the commitment to quality management systems laid the foundation for the university's current achievements. Karakaya expressed that various awards obtained by the university in national and international certification processes representing quality supported the university's quality-focused vision and commitment in this field. He underscored that these successes were the result of the university's harmonious collaboration with all stakeholders and its dedication to quality.
Karakaya stated his belief that the quality journey inspired by the values of Ahilik would positively impact the university community and its surroundings. He emphasized that their achievements in this field would not only benefit themselves but would also contribute to raising quality standards in the region and the country as a whole. Karakaya expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the university's quality journey, congratulating the university management and staff who supported this process.
An Original 'Corporate Quality Model' Inspired by the Values of Akhism
Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil emphasized that quality was not just an outcome but a continuous journey. In this context, he mentioned that they created an original "Corporate Quality Model" based on the values of Akhism. In his speech at the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil first expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the significant success achieved in the quality management process. He underscored that quality was not merely an outcome but an ongoing journey, stating that the developed "Corporate Quality Model" would shape the university's future successes. Karahocagil also highlighted the university's past quality efforts, reminding that in 2018, they became the first state university to receive the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certificate for all units. Additionally, he pointed out the university's distinction in receiving the 5-Year Full Institutional Accreditation certificate within the framework of the Institutional Accreditation Program conducted by the Higher Education Quality Board (THEQC). Karahocagil expressed that these successes resulted from the meticulous work carried out by the university without compromising on quality.
Rector Karahocagil has shared the upcoming objectives of the ongoing quality management process. Emphasizing the university's commitment to becoming an institution applying the latest version of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model, he indicated that this process would further strengthen the university's position in the international arena. Lastly, expressing gratitude to those who contributed to this success, he conveyed his appreciation to everyone who supported the university's journey of quality, underscoring how crucial collaboration and solidarity were in this process.
Conference on Quality Assurance System in Higher Education
THEQC President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak, who attended the ceremony, gave a conference titled "Quality Assurance System in Higher Education." President Kocabıçak emphasized the necessity of efforts to disseminate the culture of quality and increase the implementation of quality assurance practices. He also highlighted the goal of accrediting all universities in Turkiye. In his speech at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak, the President of the Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC), indicated the importance of the quality assurance system, stating that quality was a critical factor for the continuous development of higher education institutions. He expressed that quality assurance systems played a key role in shaping the future successes of institutions.
THEQC President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak, who attended the ceremony, gave a conference titled "Quality Assurance System in Higher Education." President Kocabıçak emphasized the necessity of efforts to disseminate the culture of quality and increase the implementation of quality assurance practices. He also highlighted the goal of accrediting all universities in Turkiye. In his speech at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak, the President of the Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC), indicated the importance of the quality assurance system, stating that quality was a critical factor for the continuous development of higher education institutions. He expressed that quality assurance systems played a key role in shaping the future successes of institutions.
Kocabıçak mentioned that as THEQC, they have exerted intensive efforts to enhance the culture of quality and expand the implementation of quality assurance practices. He emphasized that these efforts were steps towards the goal of accrediting all universities in Turkiye following quality standards. Kocabıçak stated that the commitment to quality by universities, including academic and administrative staff, students, and external stakeholders, would determine future education and teaching standards. Therefore, he emphasized that quality was everyone's responsibility and that this process could only be successful through joint effort and collaboration. He also highlighted the significant achievement of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University in obtaining the 5-Year Full Institutional Accreditation certificate within the framework of the Institutional Accreditation Program conducted by THEQC and earning a 5-star certificate in the EFQM process. He noted that these successes would serve as an example for other universities and contribute to raising quality standards. Kocabıçak expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the university's journey of quality, stating that the effort and dedication shown during this process held great value for enhancing quality.
Tribute to Those Contributing to the Journey of Quality
Various participants were honored with awards at the ceremony. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, the Rector of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, received the EFQM Model 5-Star Certificate, one of the highest rating documents awarded by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), from THEQC President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak. Additionally, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, the former rector who initiated the quality efforts. The University's Quality Coordinator and Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, received a certificate of appreciation for his dedicated work. Moreover, a certificate of appreciation was given to Yılmaz Bayraktar, the President of the Board of Directors of KALDER, for collaboration in certification efforts. Due to his inability to attend the ceremony, the certificate of appreciation was received by Senem Güner, the President of the KALDER Ankara Branch. After the presentation of certificates and a photo session, the ceremony concluded.
Various participants were honored with awards at the ceremony. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, the Rector of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, received the EFQM Model 5-Star Certificate, one of the highest rating documents awarded by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), from THEQC President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocabıçak. Additionally, a certificate of appreciation was presented to Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya, the former rector who initiated the quality efforts. The University's Quality Coordinator and Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, received a certificate of appreciation for his dedicated work. Moreover, a certificate of appreciation was given to Yılmaz Bayraktar, the President of the Board of Directors of KALDER, for collaboration in certification efforts. Due to his inability to attend the ceremony, the certificate of appreciation was received by Senem Güner, the President of the KALDER Ankara Branch. After the presentation of certificates and a photo session, the ceremony concluded.
