Kırşehir Ahi Evran University has accelerated its accreditation efforts as part of its commitment to institutionalizing quality assurance in education. After the curriculum reform carried out in 2025, the university has shifted its focus to program accreditation. In this new phase of quality initiatives, accreditation processes for associate and undergraduate programs have gained momentum. The university currently has seven accredited programs, and as of 2025, accreditation is actively underway for eleven programs. Site visits for the accreditation applications of seven programs across four vocational schools were completed between October 13 and 15, 2025.
Intensive Accreditation Process Underway at Four Vocational Schools
A total of 26 external evaluators conducted comprehensive assessments over three days in programs at the Technical Sciences, Mucur, Çiçekdağı, and Kaman Vocational Schools. During the visits, focus group meetings were held with students, faculty members, administrators, and staff. The evaluators also reviewed the physical conditions, laboratories and practice areas, course plans, learning outcomes, and infrastructure of the programs in detail.
A Closer Look at the BKYS and AYDEP Systems
The evaluation teams conducted an in-depth review of the Integrated Quality Management System (BKYS) and the Ahi Competency-Based Digital Education Portal (AYDEP), which form the foundation of the university’s digital infrastructure. They focused on how both systems contribute to the implementation of competency-based educational processes, as well as their roles in monitoring, performance tracking, improvement, and risk management for educational and administrative operations. It was emphasized that both systems, which are also used by other universities, stand out as model practices for their support of the university’s core commitment to competency-based education.
Rector Karahocagil: “We See Quality Education as a Responsibility”
The heads of the external evaluation teams were welcomed by University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil. During the meeting, Rector Karahocagil emphasized the strategic role of accreditation in the university’s development, stating: “Providing quality education to our students is not a choice but a responsibility for us. I would like to thank all academic and administrative staff who have contributed to the accreditation process.”
Information Session on the Quality Assurance System
The heads of the evaluation teams were briefed on the university’s quality assurance system by Vice Rector and Quality Assurance System Coordinator Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek. During the session, university’s Institutional Accreditation Program (KAP), ISO management systems, and EFQM Model initiatives were introduced. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek noted that accreditation is not only about external review but also involves external evaluation of the internal quality assurance system. He added, “The accreditation process is a way for our university to test its own quality assurance with an outside perspective. In this way, we further strengthen our culture of continuous improvement.”
Representatives from the Information Technologies Department, Department of Health, Culture and Sports, Student Affairs Department, and Library and Documentation Department also attended the session and provided information about their respective areas.
External Evaluation Process Completed
The intensive three-day external evaluation program concluded with a final briefing held in the University Senate Hall on October 15, 2025. The evaluation teams shared their overall impressions and recommendations with university leadership, highlighting both the strengths and areas for improvement of each program.
With this process, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University continues to strengthen its institution-wide, accreditation-based quality assurance approach in higher education, maintaining its commitment to a student-centered and competency-based educational model.
The Coordination Office of Institutional Communication