With the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), affiliated with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the "Turkic World Universities Interuniversity Quality Alliance Program" was hosted by Baku State University in Azerbaijan. The four-day program aimed to develop quality assurance systems in higher education among Turkic World universities. The program, held with broad participation, was attended by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Vice Rector and Quality Management Coordinator Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, Executive Board Member Assoc. Prof. Fatih Yaman, Rector’s Advisor Ekrem Öztürk, quality representatives from Azerbaijani universities, and TİKA officials.
The program began with opening remarks. Dr. Afaq Hüseynova, Head of the Education, Methodological Support and Development Unit at Baku State University, emphasized that the event presents a great opportunity to align quality assurance systems among Turkic World universities on a common platform. She stated that their primary focus is to strengthen self-assessment processes and build a sustainable quality culture by sharing best practices. Hüseynova added that Baku State University is pleased to contribute to this process.
Following, TİKA representative Kürşat Özdemir addressed the participants, highlighting TİKA's mission. Özdemir explained that TİKA aims to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and culture across the Turkic World, and added: “This program is an important step toward developing quality assurance systems and sharing experiences. We thank Baku State University for hosting and hope the program contributes significantly to the quality of higher education.”
Dr. Asiman Ilyasov expressed his honor in welcoming academics from across the Turkic World. He stated that the goal of the program is to establish a shared vision in quality management. Ilyasov noted that the support of TİKA and the experience of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University have empowered them, and added that the four-day program would address quality assurance systems, international accreditation, and EFQM models.
Following Dr. Asiman Ilyasov, Vice Rector of KAEU and Quality Management Coordinator Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek took the floor. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Şimşek expressed his satisfaction in sharing Kırşehir Ahi Evran University’s experiences in quality assurance systems and accreditation processes. He emphasized that this program would lay the groundwork for quality-focused cooperation among Turkic World universities.
The four-day program includes key topics such as “Quality Assurance System in Higher Education,” “ISO Quality Management Standards,” “Application of the EFQM Model in Universities,” “THEQC International Institutional Accreditation Program,” and “Quality Assurance Systems in Azerbaijan.” The main objectives are to raise awareness about establishing quality assurance systems and accreditation processes, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage the implementation of EFQM and ISO 9001 standards in higher education institutions.
The program, which aims to support quality-oriented transformation in higher education across the Turkic World and to establish a sustainable platform for cooperation among universities, offers a significant opportunity for the participants.
