Türkiye universities are set to expand education and awareness programs aimed at helping students develop skills related to family life, communication, personal development and financial planning under an initiative by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
YÖK has sent a letter to universities calling for the expansion of training, seminars, information sessions and awareness activities in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services and its provincial directorates.
The initiative is being implemented under a protocol signed between YÖK and the ministry and focuses on strengthening university students’ basic knowledge and skills in their personal, social and family lives.
As part of the program, students and university staff preparing for marriage are expected to receive training under the Premarital Education Program.
Universities are also expected to expand activities under the Family Education Program, which includes 28 modules covering five areas: education and communication, health, law, media and economics.
The Modular Family Education Program will also allow universities to organize closed-group sessions for parents. The sessions can run for 9 to 12 weeks and include groups of up to 30 participants.
Open-group sessions for university students will focus on areas including family life, healthy communication and personal development, with the aim of strengthening students’ knowledge and practical skills.
Universities will also organize promotional and awareness activities to inform students about services, programs and support mechanisms offered by the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
A new university course is also being planned under the government’s Decade of Family and Population vision.
Under the theme “Life Skills for Young People,” the course could be introduced as either a compulsory or elective subject in university curricula.
The proposed course is designed to improve students’ knowledge and awareness of communication, problem-solving, decision-making, time management, stress management and financial planning.
YÖK said universities are expected to carry out activities aimed at strengthening students’ personal, social and family-related skills in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
If the proposed course is approved, universities and the ministry could also conduct joint studies to develop and implement the program.
