The effects of the Bologna Process on the implementation of Quality Assurance in Turkish Higher Education: a case study
Date
2014-01-15
Authors
Bugday Ince, Sehriban
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Abstract
This thesis analyses the effects of the Bologna Process on the implementation of
Quality Assurance standards in Turkish higher education. Using a qualitative case study
approach, this thesis explores the changes and policies that have been adopted to promote
quality assurance at the institutional, national and international levels. In order to better
understand how quality assurance systems are shaped within the Bologna Process, I
conducted interviews with eight Turkish Bologna experts. The experts provided first-hand
experience and knowledge of the QA systems implementation process. Further, I
performed a detailed document analysis to examine the policies related to the quality
assurance system.
Through these methods, I uncovered a number of unique challenges faced by the
Turkish higher education system in the implementation of a sound quality assurance
system. One of the most significant challenges relates to the fact that the Council of
Higher Education has still not established a fully functional national QA agency in
accordance with the European Standard and Guidelines. This discrepancy affects the
implementation of a uniform QA system at all levels.
The findings suggest that the Bologna Process, which aims to improve
transparency in the European Higher Education Area, has had positive impact on QA
systems in Turkish HE. The positive effects demonstrate the capacity of the Turkish HE
to respond to an increasing need for a highly qualified workforce. With an improved
adaptability on the part of the institutions, graduates of Turkish universities will be able
to comparably compete with those from other European institutions.
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Keywords
Turkish Higher Education, Bologna Process, Quality Assurance