Page 160 - Syrians in Türkiye - Special Report

GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TÜRKİYE THE OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION

role. Another important problem is the natural disadvantages that Syrian academics
face in the competitive environment of Turkish universities. Within this scope, YÖK
has an important opportunity to create special positions for Syrian academics and
distribute them among universities. As of 2017, the number of universities in Türkiye
was 183, including 118 state universities. Currently there are 128,337 teaching staff in
Türkiye, including 59,209 professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. If
YÖK allocates 5 positions in each of the 118 state universities for Syrian academics
holding PhDs, this could solve the problem quickly.

In this way, it is thought that by receiving support from foreign funds, it will be possible
to prevent Syrian academics from leaving our country, and also to be able to bring some
of them back to our country.

◊ Vocational Courses

Adult education and vocational courses should also be given importance in educational
plans for Syrians. In this regard, many institutions in the country have opened language
and vocational courses and issued certifications, often by using international resources.
It is estimated that over 150,000 certificates have been distributed in the last five years.
However, it is understood that there are problems especially in the planning, quality,
determination, and implementation of vocational courses.

There is a huge risk that vocational courses which are not carried out in accordance
with the actual needs of the economy will become only a certificate distribution vehicle.
It happens that a large number of people are unemployed even though they have a
certificate, causing frustration. It is necessary to conduct nationwide and local planning
for vocational courses, to include professional chambers in this process, and to give
training to refugees based on the needs of the economy.

In this context, İŞKUR’s “On the Job Training Program,” provides employers with an
important opportunity. In the implementation of the program, a person who has two
to ten employees may request one on-the-job training program participant, a person
who has eleven or more employees may request as many on-the-job training program
participants as one-tenth of the number of actual employees.

Participants may benefit from a maximum of three hundred and twenty actual days
of on-the-job training in twenty-four months. The participant’s minimal expenses
and short-term insurance premium expenses are covered by İŞKUR. It is extremely
important that this program is also available for Syrians under temporary protection.
Vocational courses offered by İŞKUR and local professional chambers have had great
success.

160 SYRIANS IN TÜRKİYE SPECIAL REPORT