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Universities take central role in disaster preparedness through YÖK–AFAD cooperation
Tolga 05 March 2026, Thursday - 15:39 Updated: 17 March 2026, Tuesday - 15:40
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Signatures signed between YÖK and AFAD for a “disaster-ready university”

OMU urban search and rescue team receives accreditation certificate

A cooperation protocol was signed between the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), envisaging the scientific and operational involvement of universities in disaster management processes. At the ceremony, Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Urban Search and Rescue Team received its accreditation certificate, officially documenting its competence.

ANKARA – Within the scope of the 1–7 March Earthquake Week, a comprehensive cooperation protocol aimed at enhancing universities’ preparedness capacity for disasters and emergencies was signed at a ceremony held at the AFAD Presidency. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi, President of the Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan. Ondokuz Mayıs University was represented by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın.

Minister of Interior Çiftçi: “We will strengthen disaster awareness through education”

In his speech at the signing ceremony, Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi emphasized that disaster management is not limited to the response phase, and that the primary focus should be on pre-disaster planning and risk reduction. Highlighting the academic dimension of the issue, Minister Çiftçi stated: “We consider it essential for a strong Türkiye to firmly build both its post-disaster response capacity and its pre-disaster risk reduction culture. We do not approach disaster management solely as a matter of theory and engineering. We act with a multidisciplinary approach ranging from sociology to psychology, from communication to urban planning.”

Çiftçi also noted that, within the scope of the protocol, elective courses on disasters will be expanded across universities, and that postgraduate-level scientific research will be implemented in practice in coordination with AFAD. He stated that the process is designed as a continuous education chain “from primary education to university.”

YÖK President Özvar: “Disaster awareness is now a matter of curriculum”

President of the Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar stated that the potential of 187,000 academics and nearly 7 million students across 208 universities in Türkiye represents a significant force for building disaster awareness. Özvar announced that through the “Disaster Risk Management Coordination Units” to be established at universities, education, drills, and academic studies will be carried out in a more centralized and effective manner.

Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın received the OMU search and rescue team’s accreditation certificate

One of the most significant aspects of the ceremony for Ondokuz Mayıs University was the accreditation process of the OMU Urban Search and Rescue Team. Following technical inspections and evaluations conducted by AFAD, the OMU team was certified as meeting the “Urban Search and Rescue Light Team Accreditation Standard.”

At the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın received the Accreditation Certificate from Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi, President of the Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan. In her remarks, she emphasized that this step is critical for institutionalizing the vision of “Disaster-Ready University, Disaster-Ready Türkiye.” Expressing her pride upon receiving the certificate, Prof. Dr. Aydın stated: “I am honored to witness this meaningful process on behalf of our university. This accreditation certificate we have received is the result of our determination to be prepared for disasters and our disciplined working culture. We are aware of our responsibility; we will continue to reflect our scientific and human capacity to the field in the most effective way.”

The signed protocol includes key provisions such as supporting joint R&D projects, standardizing disaster awareness training across the country, and equipping university campuses with disaster-resilient infrastructure.