A new university model from Konya for Turkey
Source: https://www.konyapostasi.com.tr/konya-haberleri/konyadan-turkiyeye-yeni-universite-modeli/779427
Prof. Dr Erol Turan, Rector of Konya Food and Agriculture University, highlighted the global transformation taking place in higher education, stating that universities must no longer be merely institutions that provide education, but centres that transform knowledge into economic and social value. Turan stated that, in line with this approach, KGTU has developed a new-generation university model that will serve as an example for Turkey.
‘UNIVERSITIES ARE REDEFINING THEMSELVES’
Prof. Dr Erol Turan, Rector of Konya Food and Agriculture University, noted that global developments such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, climate change, food security and sustainable development have brought about fundamental changes in higher education systems. Highlighting that at the world’s leading universities, the traditional approach to education is being replaced by new models focused on research, innovation and problem-solving, Turan said, “In today’s world, where access to knowledge has become extremely easy, the fundamental role of universities is not merely to impart knowledge. The real objective is to be able to transform the knowledge produced into technology, economic value and social benefit. “Today, the success of universities is measured not merely by the number of graduates, but by the solutions they offer to society’s problems,” he said.
A PRACTICE- AND PRODUCTION-FOCUSED MODEL
Emphasising that KGTÜ has aimed to be a scientific partner to the production ecosystem since its foundation, Prof. Dr Turan stated that the university’s educational model is built on the principles of practice-focused education, university-industry collaboration and internationalisation. Noting that students play an active role in laboratories, research centres and projects carried out in collaboration with industry, Turan said, “We do not want our students to graduate with only theoretical knowledge. We are nurturing individuals who conduct research, develop projects, produce technology and provide solutions to real-world problems. At our university, scientific research is planned in such a way as to contribute directly to production and industry. Academic knowledge is not an output that remains on the shelves, but is transformed into a value that contributes to our country’s development.”
‘WE AIM TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUTURE’
Noting that internationalisation is among the university’s top priorities, Rector Turan stated that English-language education is an indispensable element of international scientific collaboration and global competitiveness. Explaining that they support specialisation in the fields of agriculture and food with various disciplines such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, international trade and engineering, Turan noted that a culture of interdisciplinary work is the university’s fundamental strength. Recalling that KGTÜ ranked among Turkey’s top six universities in terms of scientific citation performance in the Higher Education Council’s (YÖK) 2025 Monitoring and Evaluation Report, Turan said, “Our aim is not merely to be a successful foundation university; but to be a pioneering university that transforms research into economic and social value, prepares its students for the needs of the future, and leads the transformation of higher education in Turkey.”
