Accreditation

The process by which an independent external evaluation agency assesses a higher education institution or programme against established criteria and certifies its level of quality.

Accreditation Agency

An independent organisation authorised to evaluate and accredit programmes in specific fields, authorised nationally by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council or recognised internationally.

Action Plan

A document that sets out planned improvement activities, including the actions to be taken, responsible parties, timeframes and targets.

Criterion

A predefined requirement or standard that an institution or programme is expected to meet during an evaluation process.

Evaluation Team

A team of academic staff, students and, where necessary, external stakeholder reviewers involved in institutional evaluation and accreditation processes.

Evidence

A document, record, data item or other verifiable output that confirms an activity, practice or result during an evaluation process.

External Evaluation

The process of examining an institution's quality assurance system through independent reviewers from outside the institution.

Improvement

Changes made on the basis of monitoring and evaluation results to enhance the effectiveness and quality of processes.

Institutional Accreditation Programme (KAP)

A programme conducted by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council to evaluate higher education institutions holistically across leadership, education and teaching, research and development, societal contribution and quality assurance systems.

Institutional Accreditation Report (KAR)

A report prepared following evaluations under the Institutional Accreditation Programme that provides the basis for the accreditation decision.

Institutional Feedback Report (KGBR)

An evaluation report produced following institutional external evaluation that identifies the institution's strengths and areas for development.

Institutional Management System (KYS)

A management system established to define, standardise, document and monitor institutional processes and improve their efficiency.

Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (KİDR)

An annual report in which an institution evaluates its quality assurance, education and teaching, research and development, societal contribution and management processes using evidence.

Internal Evaluation

The process through which an institution systematically evaluates its own quality assurance system, activities and results.

Mission

A statement explaining an institution's purpose, core function and the value it provides to society.

Monitoring Report

A report prepared to assess an institution's development and improvement activities following external evaluation.

PDCA Cycle

The fundamental quality management cycle consisting of Plan, Do, Check and Act, which supports the continuous improvement of processes.

Performance Indicator

A quantitative or qualitative measure used to monitor progress towards strategic aims and targets.

Preliminary Visit

A preparatory visit conducted by the evaluation team to obtain initial information about the institution and plan the evaluation process.

Programme Accreditation

The evaluation of an associate or bachelor's degree programme by an independent accreditation agency against standards specific to its field.

Quality Activity Record

A structured record used to document and track quality activities carried out at the university by date, activity type and related processes.

Quality Assurance

The full range of planned and systematic activities intended to ensure that education, research and management processes are carried out in accordance with established standards.

Quality Committee

The university's senior committee responsible for planning, monitoring and evaluating quality assurance activities.

Quality Culture

The adoption of a commitment to quality by all members of an institution, making it a shared set of values, approaches and behaviours.

Quality Policy

A high-level document setting out an institution's fundamental approach, principles and commitments regarding its quality assurance system.

Registration

The process through which the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council authorises an accreditation agency for a specified period or recognises it as an international agency.

Self-Evaluation

The systematic examination of an institution's or unit's own activities, strengths and areas for development using evidence.

Site Visit

The evaluation stage during which the evaluation team examines an institution or programme on site and conducts interviews with managers, academic staff, students and other stakeholders.

Stakeholder

A party affected by or influencing an institution's activities, such as a student, employee, graduate, employer, public institution or civil society organisation.

Strategic Plan

A planning document setting out an institution's medium-term aims, targets, performance indicators and the fundamental approach it will follow to achieve them.

Student Reviewer

A student who has completed the training specified by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council and is qualified to participate in higher education quality evaluation activities.

Survey

A measurement tool used to systematically identify the views and satisfaction levels of students, staff and external stakeholders. The results provide data for improvement activities.

Target

A result expected to be achieved within a specified timeframe, with progress monitored through indicators.

Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK)

A council with administrative and financial autonomy that conducts quality assurance and external evaluation processes for higher education institutions in Türkiye and authorises or recognises accreditation agencies.

Unit Quality Committee

A committee comprising academic, administrative and student representatives that ensures quality assurance activities are carried out in faculties, institutes, schools and vocational schools.

Unit Self-Evaluation Report

A report in which an academic or administrative unit assesses its current position in education, research, societal contribution and management processes using evidence.

Vision

The future position and institutional direction that an institution aims to achieve in the long term.