FRAMEWORK REGULATION ON APPLIED EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
PART ONE Aim, Scope, Basis, and Definitions
Aim and Scope ARTICLE 1 – (1) The aim of this Regulation is to regulate the procedures and principles regarding applied education conducted in relevant programs to develop the professional skills and experiences of students in the fields of education, science, engineering, health, arts, sports, and social sciences in higher education institutions.
Basis ARTICLE 2 – (1) This Regulation has been prepared based on Article 20 of the Vocational Education Law No. 3308, dated 5/6/1986.
Definitions ARTICLE 3 – (1) In this Regulation; a) European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credit: Refers to the numerical value based on the total workload required to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies to be gained by students, covering all the studies a student must perform to successfully complete a course, b) Department: Refers to the education and training, scientific research, and application unit of faculties and schools, consisting of departments or art majors that constitute a whole in terms of aim, scope, and quality, or that complement each other or are closely related, c) Training Personnel: Refers to enterprise personnel who possess professional competence, are responsible for the training of students at the enterprise, have received job pedagogy training, know and apply vocational training methods and techniques, or have the authority to teach workshop, laboratory, or vocational courses in vocational and technical education schools and institutions, ç) Adjustment Commission: Refers to the commission established to evaluate which course or outcome in the new program corresponds to the courses or education and training outcomes acquired by students within the scope of horizontal and vertical transfers or prior learning, d) Medical Internship Practice (İntörnlük): Refers to the applied education, the duration of which is determined by the Council of Higher Education, where sixth-year medical faculty students actively participate in healthcare service delivery, including keeping watch (shifts), together with faculty members, medical doctors, and other health professionals to develop their knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding medical practices and clinical decision-making processes, e) Voluntary Internship: Refers to the internship undertaken by the student in line with their own needs and request, even though it is not included in the curriculum of the program in which they are enrolled, f) Enterprise: Refers to public and private institutions, organizations, and workplaces producing goods and services, g) Enterprise Evaluation Form: Refers to the form filled out by the enterprise for each student, containing information and observations regarding applied education processes and the enterprise’s evaluations of the student’s applied education activities, ğ) Vocational Training in Enterprises: Refers to the educational practices where vocational education program students carry out their theoretical education in higher education institutions, at the enterprise, or in training units established by enterprises, and their skills training in enterprises, h) Commission: Refers to the Applied Education Commission, ı) Vocational Education Program: Refers to higher education diploma programs determined by the Council of Higher Education at certain intervals taking into account the Country’s high-level policy documents and needs regarding development, and where education and training activities are carried out at the associate or undergraduate level regarding a profession, i) Program: Refers to the diploma program that continues its activities within the academic units of higher education institutions in line with an outcome-oriented education and training plan related to science, art, learning, and professional fields, with specific enrollment conditions and duration, and which grants a title and higher education degree to its graduates, j) Internship (Staj): Refers to the vocational work students perform in enterprises aimed at developing the professional knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors foreseen to be gained through educational programs, getting to know the sector, adapting to business life, gaining experience, and being trained in a real production and service environment, excluding the theoretical and applied courses given in higher education institutions and determined specifically for the program, k) Applied Course: Refers to the course that is not within the scope of vocational training in enterprises or internship, carried out under the responsibility of the instructor(s) of the relevant course, ensuring the development of knowledge, skills, and competencies by taking part in applications in the application areas of the higher education institution, in enterprises, or service areas within the scope of the courses belonging to the diploma program in an education and training semester, l) Applied Education File: Refers to the notebook, development file, form, report, and similar documents that students must prepare within the scope of applied education, m) Higher Education Institution: Refers to universities, institutes of high technology, and independent foundation vocational schools conducting education, training, and research activities at the higher education level.
PART TWO Duties and Authorities
Duty and Authority of the Council of Higher Education ARTICLE 4 – (1) The Council of Higher Education determines the vocational education programs at the higher education level.
Duty and Authority of the Rector ARTICLE 5 – (1) The Rector is responsible for the planning, budgeting, implementation, coordination, and supervision of applied education activities.
Duty and Authority of the Dean and Director ARTICLE 6 – (1) The duties and authorities of the Dean and Director are as follows: a) To coordinate the planning and implementation of applied education activities in their units. b) To carry out the work and procedures regarding the insurance of students who are to be insured pursuant to Article 5 of the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510 dated 31/5/2006 within the scope of vocational education and internship. c) To sign the contracts established between the higher education unit and the relevant enterprise within the scope of applied education if authorized by the Rector, or to present these contracts to the Rector for signature. (2) With the assignment of the Rector, an administrative unit responsible for coordination, other than the faculty, school, or vocational school, may fulfill the duties and responsibilities specified in this article for this purpose.
Duty and Authority of the Applied Education Commission ARTICLE 7 – (1) A Commission responsible for the planning, implementation, and coordination of applied education activities is established in the programs or departments of the faculty, school, or vocational school where applied education is conducted. (2) The Commission carries out the measurement and evaluation procedures of the outcomes obtained at the end of vocational training in enterprises or internship, or may establish sub-commissions including the responsible instructor to have this process carried out. (3) In foundation higher education institutions, an administrative unit responsible for applied education may fulfill the duties and responsibilities specified in this article with the assignment of the rector. However, measurement and evaluation procedures regarding applied education are carried out by an academic commission formed of relevant instructors in the programs or departments to be assigned by the dean or director.
Duty and Authority of the Responsible Instructor ARTICLE 8 – (1) A responsible instructor is assigned for each applied education group that will perform vocational training in enterprises or internship throughout the training to monitor applied education activities in programs or departments, ensure coordination between the enterprise and the institution, guide students in applied education processes, and take part in measurement and evaluation procedures.
Duty and Authority of the Training Personnel ARTICLE 9 – (1) Students who will perform vocational training in enterprises or internships are under the supervision of training personnel who possess professional competence in their field and are assigned by the enterprise taking the opinion of the Commission during applied education. (2) Students performing medical internship practice are under the supervision of faculty members and physicians receiving specialization training in medicine at health application and research centers within the higher education institution. (3) The duties and authorities of the training personnel are as follows: a) To ensure that students perform and sustain their applied education within the prepared training plan. b) To ensure the completion of the enterprise evaluation form for each student performing applied education. c) To examine the applied education files prepared by the students, provide opinions, and approve them. ç) To cooperate with the responsible instructor regarding absenteeism, discipline, and other matters related to applied education.
Duty and Authority of the Enterprise ARTICLE 10 – (1) The duties and authorities of the enterprise where vocational training or internship is conducted are as follows: a) To assign a sufficient number of training personnel possessing professional competence in the field, taking into account the number of students who will perform applied education within its body. b) To approve the applied education acceptance form of the student who will perform applied education. c) To fill out the enterprise evaluation form for each student performing applied education within its body. ç) To ensure that applied education activities are carried out in environments suitable for the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 dated 20/6/2012. d) To provide occupational health and safety training to students, taking into account the working environment and the nature of practices in the enterprise. e) To pay wages in accordance with the relevant provisions of Law No. 3308 to students performing vocational training in enterprises and students doing internships because it is included in the curriculum of the enrolled program. f) To report work accidents undergone by students performing vocational training in enterprises and internships to the relevant authorities in accordance with the relevant legislation and to the higher education institution where the student is enrolled on the same day.
Responsibilities of the Student ARTICLE 11 – (1) Students performing applied education are subject to the relevant legislation of the higher education institution they are students of and the official working rules of the enterprise regarding procedures related to leave or absenteeism periods during applied education. The applied education of students who act contrary to the provisions of this Regulation or the official working rules of the enterprise is evaluated as unsuccessful. (2) Students performing applied education are also subject to the Higher Education Institutions Student Disciplinary Regulation published in the Official Gazette dated 18/8/2012 and numbered 28388, the relevant disciplinary legislation of the higher education institution they are students of, and the working rules of the enterprise during the periods they are at the enterprise.
PART THREE Vocational Training in Enterprises, Internship, and Applied Course
Vocational Training in Enterprises ARTICLE 12 – (1) It is essential that vocational training in enterprises be carried out during education and training semesters. Vocational training in enterprises starts in the education and training semesters determined in the academic calendar of the higher education institution and ends at the end of this period. However, depending on the characteristics of the program and the suitability of enterprise conditions, vocational training in enterprises may also be conducted in the summer term. (2) It is mandatory to determine ECTS credits for vocational training in enterprises. ECTS credits are added to the course schedules of the program or department and included in the calculation of the students’ graduation credits. (3) The total credit of the courses calculated within the scope of vocational training in enterprises cannot be less than 15 ECTS credits and cannot exceed 30 ECTS credits. The medical internship practice in medicine programs is evaluated as 60 ECTS credits. (4) The Commission or sub-commissions evaluate students performing vocational training in enterprises in line with the enterprise evaluation form, applied education file, and predetermined outcomes. (5) The student’s evaluation grade within the scope of vocational training in enterprises is processed into the system as a course grade. At the same time, this evaluation grade is included in academic achievement grade evaluations. (6) Students who are unsuccessful as a result of the evaluation may repeat their vocational training in enterprises at the same or different enterprises. (7) Wages are paid to students undergoing vocational training in enterprises pursuant to Article 25 of Law No. 3308. (8) Wages are paid to medical faculty students performing vocational training in enterprises within the scope of medical internship practice pursuant to Additional Article 29 of the Higher Education Law No. 2547 dated 4/11/1981. (9) Work accident and occupational disease and sickness insurance are applied to students undergoing vocational training in enterprises pursuant to Article 25 of Law No. 3308 and paragraph one, subparagraph (b) of Article 5 of Law No. 5510. General health insurance provisions are also applied to those among these students who are not in the status of a dependent. The premiums to be paid within the scope of this paragraph are covered by higher education institutions pursuant to paragraph one, subparagraph (e) of Article 87 of Law No. 5510. (10) Medical internship practice in medicine programs is evaluated within the scope of vocational training in enterprises. (11) The Council of Higher Education decides which special applied education other than medical internship practice shall be counted as vocational training in enterprises and the limits of their ECTS credits.
Internship (Staj) ARTICLE 13 – (1) It is essential that internships be carried out during months coinciding with the semester or summer holidays. However, in cases where the internships specified below are not carried out during months coinciding with the semester or summer holidays, education and training activities continue together with the internship; internship cannot be conducted on days when the student has a class or an exam: a) If the relevant program or enterprise conditions are not suitable, internship may be conducted outside these periods provided that it does not disrupt education and training. b) If the student has completed all courses but has not yet been able to complete their internship, they may do their internship in any month. c) Internship may also be conducted during the education and training semester, summer school, and general exam periods, provided that it is of the same duration and not less than three days a week. (2) The internship duration is determined by higher education institutions according to the nature of the relevant program, not being less than 20 working days. (3) It is mandatory to determine ECTS credits for the internship. ECTS credits are added to the course schedules of the program or department and included in the calculation of the students’ graduation credits. (4) The total credit calculated within the scope of internships cannot be less than 5 ECTS credits and cannot exceed 10 ECTS credits. (5) With the favorable opinion of the Commission and provided that it complies with the procedures and principles in this Regulation, the student may voluntarily or within the scope of the program they study, perform an internship for a longer duration than determined. Internship periods within the scope of this paragraph may be credited but are not included in the graduation credit calculation. (6) The Commission or sub-commissions evaluate students performing internships as successful or unsuccessful in line with the enterprise evaluation form, applied education file, and predetermined outcomes. Students whose internships are evaluated as unsuccessful must repeat the internship. (7) Article 25 of Law No. 3308 is applied regarding the wages to be paid to students performing internships. (8) Work accident and occupational disease insurance are applied to students performing internships pursuant to paragraph one, subparagraph (b) of Article 5 of Law No. 5510. General health insurance provisions are also applied to those among these students who are not in the status of a dependent. The premiums to be paid within the scope of this paragraph are covered by higher education institutions pursuant to paragraph one, subparagraph (e) of Article 87 of Law No. 5510.
Applied Course ARTICLE 14 – (1) It is essential that the applied course be conducted on the days and hours determined in the course schedule within the scope of the related course. However, if deemed necessary, the applied course may also be conducted at times other than the days and hours specified in the course schedule. (2) The ECTS credit calculation for the applied course is made within the scope of the calculation of the ECTS credit of the related course; no separate ECTS credit is calculated. (3) Evaluations belonging to the applied course are made by the instructor or instructors giving the relevant course within the scope of the related course. (4) No wage is paid to students performing applied education within the scope of an applied course. (5) Students performing applied courses are not considered insured within the scope of paragraph one, subparagraph (f) of Article 6 of Law No. 5510. (6) Applied education performed by students of medicine programs in the fourth and fifth years under the name of internship (clerkship) and applied education of dentistry program students are evaluated within the scope of applied courses.
PART FOUR Miscellaneous and Final Provisions
Determination of Applied Education Groups ARTICLE 15 – (1) The number of students in applied education groups to be formed within the scope of vocational training in enterprises or internships in programs or departments cannot be less than five. However, if the total number of students to be given applied education in programs or departments is less than five, one applied education group may be formed. (2) Students in the same applied education group may perform vocational training in enterprises or internships at different enterprises.
Course Load ARTICLE 16 – (1) A maximum of five hours of weekly theoretical course load is assigned to the responsible instructor assigned within the scope of vocational training in enterprises, regardless of the number of applied education groups they are responsible for. (2) Two hours of weekly applied course load is assigned to the responsible instructor appointed within the scope of internship, regardless of the number of applied education groups they are responsible for.
Change of Enterprise ARTICLE 17 – (1) After starting applied education, the student may change the enterprise upon the favorable opinion of the commission.
Applied Education Abroad ARTICLE 18 – (1) Students may perform the vocational training in enterprises or internship applications included in their course schedules abroad upon the favorable opinion of the commission, in a way that does not disrupt their educational programs. (2) Students completing their vocational training in enterprises or internship abroad submit their documents regarding applied education studies and the applied education file to the Commission. Measurement and evaluation procedures regarding applied education within this scope are carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Regulation. (3) Premiums to be paid to domestic or foreign institutions and organizations operating in the field of insurance for the purpose of insuring students who will perform applied education abroad are not covered by higher education institutions.
Recognition of Prior Applied Education ARTICLE 19 – (1) The validity of vocational training in enterprises and internships performed by students arriving via horizontal and vertical transfer at their previous educational institutions is evaluated and decided by the relevant adjustment commission. (2) Students who have worked or are working in a job related to the program they are studying may apply for the recognition of prior learning within the scope of vocational training in enterprises or internship practice, provided that they document their working periods and titles. The relevant adjustment commission examines the said applications and makes a decision. Only measurement and evaluation procedures are carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Regulation for students regarding whom the adjustment commission gives a positive decision.
Other Provisions ARTICLE 20 – (1) Higher education institutions determine the matters regarding applied education and the forms to be used within this scope in accordance with the principles of this Regulation and publish them on their official websites. (2) Applied education in programs providing education and training through open education and distance education are outside the scope of this Regulation. (3) Rules regarding the applied education of those who are convicts in open penal execution institutions and are simultaneously students at a higher education institution are determined by the relevant higher education institution by also taking the opinion of the institution where the convict is present.
Foundation Vocational School ARTICLE 21 – (1) In foundation vocational schools, the duties of the rector are carried out by the school director.
Force Majeure ARTICLE 22 – (1) In cases of force majeure such as earthquakes, fires, floods, and similar natural disasters, legal strikes, lockouts, general epidemics, war, declaration of partial or general mobilization, and similar situations, the procedures and principles regarding applied education are determined by the Council of Higher Education.
Cases Not Covered ARTICLE 23 – (1) In cases where there is no provision in this Regulation, the provisions of the relevant legislation are applied.
State Contribution Paid to Students PROVISIONAL ARTICLE 1 – (1) Vocational training in enterprises within the scope of provisional article 74 of Law No. 2547 is carried out full-time during education and training semesters, covering one semester in the final year of the students’ education period. (2) Vocational training in enterprises within the scope of the first paragraph is limited to higher education institutions determined by the Council of Higher Education and certain undergraduate programs in science and engineering sciences of these institutions. (3) Within the scope of this article, 35% of the net amount of the minimum wage is paid as wages to students performing vocational training in enterprises in private sector enterprises, technoparks, research infrastructures, R&D centers, or industrial establishments until the date of 1/1/2023 throughout their applied education. (4) For students falling within the scope of the third paragraph, the seventh paragraph of Article 12 of this Regulation is not applied until the date of 1/1/2023. (5) Among students studying in programs or departments included in the scope of applied education within the scope of the second paragraph, those performing vocational training in enterprises in enterprises falling outside the scope of the third paragraph are subject to the seventh paragraph of Article 12 of this Regulation.
Entry into Force ARTICLE 24 – (1) This Regulation enters into force in the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year.
Execution ARTICLE 25 – (1) The President of the Council of Higher Education executes the provisions of this Regulation.