What is MEDEK?
Mesleki Eğitim Değerlendirme ve Akreditasyon Derneği (MEDEK – Vocational Education Evaluation and Accreditation Association) is a non-governmental organization authorized to evaluate the compliance of Vocational School programs with established standards, quality criteria, and performance indicators.
MEDEK has been officially authorized by the Yükseköğretim Kalite Kurulu (YÖKAK – Higher Education Quality Council of Türkiye) to conduct accreditation processes for Vocational School (Associate Degree) programs. Within this framework, MEDEK evaluates educational processes in accordance with quality assurance principles and carries out accreditation activities at the associate degree level.
Purpose of MEDEK
The primary purpose of MEDEK is to contribute to the training of qualified vocational professionals who:
- Closely follow developments in their fields,
- Respond effectively to changing labor market demands,
- Possess high-level professional knowledge and skills,
- Demonstrate innovation and social responsibility, and
- Meet the qualifications sought by relevant industry sectors.
In this context, MEDEK promotes the continuous development of programs aligned with sectoral expectations and fosters a sustainable quality assurance culture.
Mission of MEDEK
MEDEK’s mission is to enhance the quality of education and training in associate degree programs by providing information services, external evaluation, and accreditation processes. Through these activities, MEDEK supports institutional development and the dissemination of quality assurance practices.
Vision of MEDEK
MEDEK’s vision is to become a leading accreditation body that evaluates the educational, research, and administrative processes of associate degree programs in accordance with national and international standards; defines the qualifications of intermediate-level workforce; and shares evaluation outcomes with relevant stakeholders to ensure recognized quality certification.
MEDEK Accreditation Criteria
The accreditation process conducted by MEDEK is based on the following core criteria:
- Students
- Program Educational Objectives
- Program Outcomes
- Continuous Improvement
- Curriculum
- Academic Staff
- Infrastructure
- Administrative Structure and Management
- Program-Specific Criteria
Program-Specific Criteria within Our Vocational School
Required Learning Outcomes for the Culinary Arts Program
- Explains the fundamental concepts of the culinary profession and identifies the basic tools, equipment, and materials used in the kitchen.
- Classifies food and beverage groups, performs menu planning, and prepares standardized recipes accordingly.
- Applies appropriate cutting and cooking techniques in food preparation, cooking, garnishing, plating, and presentation processes.
- Explains the hierarchical structure of kitchen organization; adopts hygiene and sanitation practices; and demonstrates awareness of waste reduction principles.
Validity Period of MEDEK Accreditation
Mesleki Eğitim Değerlendirme ve Akreditasyon Derneği (MEDEK) grants accreditation to programs for a specified period ranging from one (1) to four (4) years. Accreditation decisions are classified under the following categories:
- Full Accreditation
- Conditional Accreditation
- Accreditation Candidacy
Accreditation decisions are made by the Vocational Education Accreditation Board (MEK), which operates as a sub-board of MEDEK, in accordance with established evaluation criteria.
1. Full Accreditation
A program is granted Full Accreditation for four (4) years if it satisfies all minimum requirements specified in the MEK criteria. This status indicates that the program fully complies with the established quality assurance standards.
2. Conditional Accreditation
If, in the overall evaluation, no criterion is rated as “1: Deficient,” but one or more criteria are rated at least “2: Inadequate,” the program is granted Conditional Accreditation for two (2) years.
Under this status:
- The vocational school may reapply for accreditation in the second year according to the schedule determined by MEK.
- A program cannot receive Conditional Accreditation for more than two consecutive terms.
- Programs granted two-year Conditional Accreditation are subject to an interim on-site evaluation during the second (final) year of the accreditation period.
- The interim evaluation focuses on criteria previously rated as “2: Inadequate” and “3: Acceptable.”
If no improvement is observed in these criteria during the interim evaluation, the accreditation will not be extended (this decision is subject to appeal).
Conversely, if the evaluated criteria are rated “3: Acceptable” or higher during the interim visit, the accreditation period is extended by an additional two (2) years.
3. Accreditation Candidacy
If, in the overall evaluation, no criterion is rated as “1: Deficient,” but none of the criteria receive a rating of “4” or “5,” and the identified deficiencies are considered remediable within one year, the program is granted Accreditation Candidacy status for one (1) year.
Following an on-site evaluation in the subsequent year:
- If criteria previously rated as “2” are improved to “3” or higher, the accreditation period is extended by three (3) years.
- If some criteria continue to be rated “2: Inadequate,” the program is granted Conditional Accreditation.
What Are TQF and EQF, and What Are Their Benefits for Associate Degree Students and Graduates?
Türkiye Yeterlilikler Çerçevesi (TQF – Turkish Qualifications Framework) is the national framework that classifies qualifications in Türkiye according to defined levels and ensures their recognition at the national level.
Avrupa Yeterlilikler Çerçevesi (EQF – European Qualifications Framework) is a meta-framework designed to improve transparency and comparability of qualifications across European countries.
For vocational school programs accredited by MEDEK:
- Quality standards are strengthened.
- Educational processes are improved.
- Learning outcomes become more consistent across institutions.
- The reliability and transparency of competencies are enhanced.
- Institutional and international recognition processes are facilitated.
Furthermore, alignment with TQF and EQF enables the use of the TQF logo on diplomas. This alignment:
- Enhances national and international recognition of qualifications,
- Supports horizontal and vertical academic mobility,
- Increases graduates’ employability,
- Facilitates employers’ access to qualified human resources.
In conclusion, graduates of accredited programs aligned with TQF–EQF standards gain a stronger competitive position both academically and professionally.
