The quality initiatives that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University began in 2015 continue to strengthen. Quality has been adopted as a strategic priority for our university following the criteria set by THEQC. In line with this understanding, our university successfully participated in the Institutional Accreditation Program (IAP), which it voluntarily joined in 2021, and received full accreditation for five years in 2022. Following this significant achievement, our university is currently undergoing the Interim Evaluation process. As part of the Interim Evaluation Program, which will take place over two days on July 18-19, 2024, focus group meetings will be held with all university stakeholders. This includes meetings with the Rector, the Quality Commission, the Senate and the Board of Directors, academic managers, administrative unit managers, academic staff, administrative staff, center directors and coordinators, students, and institutional stakeholders.
Preparation for the Interim Evaluation
All our departments actively participated in the preparation process led by our Quality Management Coordination Office. During this process, comprehensive efforts were made to sustain the strengths and develop areas for improvement, as indicated in the IAP Report. Over the past two years, regular internal evaluations were conducted, where all departments were assessed based on process performance, activity plans, risk management, improvement plans, and stakeholder relations. Stakeholder meetings were held at various levels. In 2022, Process and Risk workshops were conducted, and in 2023, a broad-based Direction Workshop was held. These workshops addressed future strategies, and numerous improvements were planned and implemented across the university. Viewing consultation as an essential principle of quality culture, our university established University Advisory Boards in 2024 to strengthen and institutionalize stakeholder relations.
The Shining Star of Quality: IQMS
At our university, which draws inspiration from our ancient culture of Ahilik, quality efforts have become an established culture and are conducted based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. This approach has been internalized by all our departments, focusing on solutions that will promote the widespread adoption of a quality culture. The Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), uniquely developed by our university, was implemented in 2019. IQMS, which is now a brand with intellectual and industrial property rights belonging to our university, strengthens our quality processes while also contributing to Turkish Higher Education. In response to demand, IQMS has been introduced to numerous universities, public institutions, and private sector organizations. Commercialized in 2022, IQMS continues to be taken as an example in quality process management. Currently used by nine different universities and ÖSYM, the development of new versions of IQMS is ongoing. The development of IQMS version 2.0 is currently underway by our students and faculty members working in our Software Office, aiming to enhance the quality assurance function of IQMS.
Ensuring Success in Quality
Working under the motto "On the Path to Excellence Inspired by Akhism," our university has achieved significant national and international success in quality management. The IQMS software, coordinated by Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, was awarded the Efficiency Award in the public category by the Ministry of Industry and Technology in 2022. Adopting the EFQM model, our university was honored with five stars for outstanding performance by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) in 2023. Additionally, in 2024, we received the Inspirational Public Management Special Award from the KalDer Ankara branch.
Certification Efforts for Continuous Improvement
Kırşehir Ahi Evran University continues to take steady steps in quality management and maintains its pioneering role in Turkish higher education. In line with our continuous improvement goals in quality management, we are progressing with certification efforts for the 50001 Energy Management System and the 22000 Food Safety Standards. The certification work conducted by our Quality Management Coordination aims to enhance our university's commitment and competence in sustainability in quality.
Preparing for the interim evaluation process with all stakeholders, our university views this process as a guarantee for future success.