Report on Turkey visit (23 Mar 2010 – 1 - University of Portsmouth

Turkey
23 March – 1 April 2010
Charlotte Ayres-Hill, International Office
David Ndzi, Faculty of Technology
Gary Barrett, School of Social, Historical & Literary Studies
25 March - Istanbul
BEB - British Education Bureau (agent)
Market leaders in Turkey, would like to represent UoP
Offices in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir
Very professional, wide-reaching PR campaigns, proactive marketers
However, in direct competition with our current agents, Edcon
CAH to follow up and discuss
Alternatif (agent)
Meeting with counsellors to provide UoP updates.
Received update on Turkish market and ranking list of Turkish universities
Edcon (agent)
Meeting with counsellors to provide UoP updates.
One student interviewed, offer made
26 March – Istanbul
School visits organised by British Council
Approximately 15 UK universities attended mini-fairs at three private high schools
Eyuboglu (Asian side) - busy
Uskudar (European side) – slow
MEF (European side) – steady
The second two visits were held after lunch, which was at the end of the school week
meaning attendance was low. Suggest to British Council to arrange morning visits only.
27-28 March - Istanbul
A2 Exhibition
Assisted by agent Global Yurtdisi Egitim (GYDE) and current PG student, Nerjat Can Okay
• Approx. 80 serious enquiries
• Two thirds PG, one third UG enquiries
• PG enquiries – 30% for PBS (Finance, Business & Management, Marketing, Law)
Other popular courses: Mechanical Engineering, Computing, Psychology,
International Relations, Interior Design
• UG enquiries – 75% for Technology (Electronic, Mechanical, Civil Eng, Maths)
Other requested courses: Business, Languages, Fashion Design, Psychology
29 March - Istanbul
CAH – 1200-1700 Meeting and 6 student interviews with agent GYDE
(DN Ankara – Hacettepe University & TOBB University)

30 March- Ankara
DN – Atilim University, meeting and presentation
A2 Exhibition
• Approx. 55 serious enquiries
• 80% PG, 20% UG enquiries
• PG enquiries – 30% for TEC (Electronic Engineering, Computing), 25% PBS (Law,
Marketing, Economics), 22% HUM (International Relations, Applied Linguistics, MPA)
• UG enquiries – 65% for TEC (Electronic, Civil Eng, Maths, Computing, Product Design)
Other requested courses: Business, International Relations, Film Studies
31 March - Ankara
CAH & GB – meeting with Ministry of Interior
• The MOI is happy with the MPA programme and progress of students. They would
like to continue sending governors to Portsmouth but said they cannot guarantee
numbers in 2010 due to fee increases. They were reminded that generous discount
would still be offered for volume.
• In academic year 2011-12 the MOI may need to place students on courses with a
January/February start due to governor training schedule. GB/CAH to investigate
alternative schedule for MPA.
• In 2009 arrival date was after the start of term due to visa delays. MOI asked if the
University could contact the British Consulate in future to ensure fast turnaround of
visa applications.
• If contract continues it must be ensured that Finance do not send inappropriate
communications to the MOI. CAH to liaise with Finance.
• MOI officials will be visiting UoP from 29-30 April to meet with university staff and
students.
CAH & GB – meeting with Ministry of Justice
Ali Bilen, Deputy General Director, Directorate General for European Union Affairs
• Meeting was organised by Omer Duran, our main contact at the MOI
• Information about ICJS and School of Law was provided
• MoJ do sponsor employees for overseas education but do not currently have partner
institutions – the students can choose where they study
• They would be interested in discussing semi-tailored programmes (in the same way
that the MOI has input into external visits, dissertation topics, etc) and discussing
fee discounts. CAH to follow up with ICJS and School of Law.
1 April - Ankara
CAH & GB - Hacettepe University
• Meeting with Selda Onderoglu, Head of International Office
• Useful discussion regarding process of establishing agreements with State
universities. State universities are governed heavily by YOK (Council of Higher
Education) and therefore decisions regarding articulation agreements/dual diplomas

cannot be taken at the university level. Institutions must approach YOK with
proposals, and once approved, YOK will try to find a suitable partner institution.
Useful contacts at YOK were provided.
• Prof. Ali Murat Ozdemir, Head of School of International Relations, is interested in
discussing future collaboration. CAH to arrange a meeting during next visit.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Turkey
• A growing market, particularly for business and technology related subjects
• Appoint agent BEB, who can provide recruitment support in Ankara and Izmir, as
well as increased visibility in Istanbul
• Improve relations with Turkish alumni – organise an event during next visit?
• Renew Ministry of Interior contract - consider working directly with MOI rather than
through an agent, and offering increased level of discount instead of agent
commission
• Continue discussions with Ministry of Justice
• Initiate discussions with Turkish National Police
• Aim to gain a place on the list of approved institutions which will allow us to accept
students in receipt of Ministry of Education scholarships (Turkish Ambassador to
raise with Education Minister)