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Türkiye's Council of Higher Education (YOK) will introduce 16 new degree programs for the 2026-2027 academic year, aiming to align higher education with emerging job markets, seven at bachelor's level and nine at associate degree level, YOK President Erol Ozvar announced.
The new offerings are part of a broader push to expand programs aligned with fields shaped by global technological change, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, aviation, automation and digital transformation, according to a statement from YOK.
Among the newly listed programs are artificial intelligence engineering, cybersecurity, big data analytics, digital transformation electronics, manufacturing execution systems operations, electronics and automation, and air conditioning and refrigeration technology.
This year's additions also include history and artificial intelligence, philosophy and artificial intelligence, biotechnology and genetics, digital game technologies and mobile security technologies.
YOK said growing student interest in these fields is pushing newly opened departments higher on applicants' preference lists, with many students aiming to enter sectors such as defense, aviation, software and data technologies.
The programs incorporate laboratory work, internships and industry-based training, with a particular focus on defense, aviation, automation and data technology fields that allow students to engage directly with production processes.
Ozvar said Türkiye's higher education planning takes into account multiple factors, including the country's employment needs, emerging professional fields and the effective direction of human capital.
He noted that nearly 70 new programs have opened over the past three years in response to developments in artificial intelligence, digitalization in agriculture and health care, green transformation and sector demands.
The number of AI-related programs has reached 785 across 171 universities, he said, adding that the capacity of these programs has grown sevenfold in just a few years and has begun producing its first graduates.
Ozvar said the programs are drawing strong interest and high enrollment rates. "This picture clearly shows how consciously our young people are moving toward the professions of the future," he said. "I recommend that our candidates take another look at the newly opened programs and examine them carefully."
He added that YOK continues its outreach efforts during the university preference period to help students make informed decisions.
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