Rector of Eastern Mediterranean University: Growth in Number of Universities Results from Past Mistakes

The rector of Eastern Mediterranean University (DAÜ), Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, stated that the increase in the number of universities in the country occurred due to previous erroneous approaches, leading to “university inflation.” Speaking on Kanal T in the program Damla Dabis ile Yaz Sabahı, he linked this to the lack of long-term planning in the sector.

Kılıç reminded that higher education, along with tourism, is one of the most important economic sectors and operates year-round. According to him, planning does not always clearly define the desired outcome, and management of subsequent processes often contains errors. The rector also noted that the government has begun a new phase of planning and expressed hope that the plan will make room for universities.

Prof. Kılıç emphasized that universities themselves must regularly evaluate and control the quality of education and should not wait for external reminders. He noted that a commercial approach has led to uncontrolled growth—when universities generate profit, real quality confirmation becomes less important than formal attributes.

For residents of Northern Cyprus and prospective students, this implies possible regulatory changes: stricter control over accreditation and program quality, revision of admissions and funding. Experts and applicants are advised to pay attention to the reputation and accreditation of academic programs.