Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) has successfully passed the audits of three management systems, namely ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, ISO 10002:2018 Student Satisfaction Management System, and ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, conducted by the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) from 29 May to 2 June, 2023, without any non-conformities. The management systems process, which commenced in 2015, was evaluated during a 5-day audit, coordinated by the Total Quality Center Directorate and completed by a 43-member quality team responsible for their respective units.
During the audit process, the inspection team examined the units from both a documentation and infrastructural perspective. In addition to the management system activities, academic reviews and evaluations were conducted during the five-day audit. On 2 June, 2023, Friday, a Closing Meeting was held at the Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall, attended by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, Vice Rector for Administrative and Technical Affairs Prof. Dr. Serhan Şensoy, Total Quality Management Center (TQMC) Director, and Purchasing and Inventory Control Unit Director Mahmut Dağtekin, along with Quality Representatives of all units and Management Systems Consultant Latif Sakar. During the Closing Meeting, the findings of the audit team were shared.
"EMU in a Leading Position"
Speaking at the Closing Meeting, Dağtekin provided information about the audit process and expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the process. Then, TSE Auditor Tuncay Çimen thanked EMU for their hospitality. Sharing his findings regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, Çimen stated that they observed good practices in this area. Highlighting that EMU is in a leading position in this field, Çimen emphasized that every practice conducted here will serve as a guiding example in Cyprus. At the end of his speech, Çimen expressed his wish for EMU to achieve even bigger success.
In his speech, TSE Auditor Fatih Sağdıç shared his findings regarding the Student Satisfaction Management System and Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Sağdıç stated that good practices have been implemented in both management systems and emphasized the importance of adopting a problem-solving approach towards student satisfaction at EMU. Stressing the significance of activities aimed at increasing motivation, Sağdıç highlighted the value of the events organized in this context. Expressing that they have encountered excellent examples at EMU and witnessed a strong motivation within the institution, Sağdıç emphasized their desire to see EMU at even better positions.
"EMU is a Leading University"
Prof. Dr. Şensoy, EMU Vice Rector for Administrative and Technical Affairs, provided information about the university, highlighting that EMU has long emphasized quality and initiated ABET accreditation efforts in the late 1990s. Prof. Dr. Şensoy also stressed that EMU's commitment to quality and its culture date back many years, and in this regard, the university has opened its doors to audits conducted by the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE). Prof. Dr. Şensoy added that EMU is a pioneering university that recognizes the value of external audits, utilizing the process to contribute to its development. At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Şensoy underscored that they will continue to work towards taking this process to further steps.
"Quality Processes Never Stop"
During his speech at the meeting, Prof. Dr. Hocanın expressed his gratitude to the staff responsible for quality at the university, stating that EMU places great importance on quality processes in every area it serves. Emphasizing that EMU is a source of pride in Northern Cyprus and one of the most esteemed universities among the Turkish Cypriot community, Prof. Dr. Hocanın also highlighted that quality is an integral part of EMU's vision,. Prof. Dr. Hocanın stated that EMU is in a guiding position in higher education, setting standards, providing quality education, engaging in research, and serving the community to the best of its abilities.
Highlighting that EMU places importance on quality and accreditation efforts in both academic and administrative fields, Prof. Dr. Hocanın emphasized that quality assurance processes are not to be approached as a burdensome task. Prof. Dr. Hocanın stated that the aim of the audit processes is to identify areas for improvement through external perspectives and ensure the continuous cycle of improvement. Prof. Dr. Hocanın stressed that quality processes never cease. Regarding TSE's role in quality processes, Prof. Dr. Hocanın stated that TSE is always regarded as a reputable and trustworthy institution, and the evaluations by TSE have been ongoing for a long time.
