Active Involvement of Civil Society to Higher Education System Project
Type: Civil Society Support Program-III (CSSP_III)
Project number: TR2016/DG/03/A3-01/112
Project Duration: 2021-2022
Role: Coordinator
The AAU is implementing the project “Active Participation of Civil Society in the Higher Education System” within the scope of the Civil Society Support Program–III (CSSP III) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Directorate for EU Affairs and the Civil Society Sector.
Türkiye’s higher education system has expanded rapidly, reaching 207 universities by 2020 (YÖK). However, despite this remarkable growth, civil society organizations (CSOs) have had limited involvement in higher education governance and policy development processes. As a result, decision-making has remained largely centralized, and universities have not fully engaged with social, economic and industrial needs.
This project aims to:
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Strengthen the institutional and organizational capacities of CSOs working in the field of higher education in Türkiye,
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Develop cooperation models and strategic mechanisms enabling CSO participation in higher education decision-making processes,
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Enhance the ability of CSOs to actively contribute to the future of higher education.
The project is led by the Academicians Union Association (AAU) with the Young Academicians Education, Culture and Research Association (YAC) as co-applicant. The initiative is supported by Türk Eğitim-Sen (TES) and six universities: Gazi University, Karabük University, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Sinop University, Marmara University, and Fırat University.
Through this broad partnership, the project seeks to foster a more participatory, transparent, and socially responsive higher education ecosystem in Türkiye.
