A Vocational School Protocol Executive Committee Meeting was Held as part of the "Vocational Schools Education Cooperation Protocol" between the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

The "Vocational Schools Education Cooperation Protocol," prepared between the Council of Higher Education and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) to train the qualified human resources our country needs, was signed and entered into force in Ankara on February 20, 2025. The protocol aims to align the education provided at vocational schools with sector needs, increase practical training opportunities for students, and contribute to employment.

In this context, a "Vocational School Protocol Executive Committee Meeting" was held at our university on November 7, 2025, for the Social Sciences Vocational School and Technical Sciences Vocational School. The meeting included: Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) Deputy Secretary General Ferat Öztop; MTSO Board Members Murat Aktoğ and Zeynel Aydemir; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cevat Ercik, Director of the Vocational School of Social Sciences; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sertaç Göktaş, Director of the Vocational School of Technical Sciences; and Assistant Directors of the Vocational School of Social Sciences, Lecturer Pelin Kılınç Özüölmez and Lecturer Dr. Emrah Yıldız.

The meeting addressed the scope and criteria for scholarships to be provided to students within the framework of the YÖK-TOBB Vocational Schools Education Cooperation Protocol Implementation Procedures and Principles; the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of applied training; the organization of career days, promotional programs, and industry meetings to contribute to students' professional development; the development of vocational school workshop and laboratory infrastructure; and the meeting of needs through relevant industry collaborations.

At the meeting, a consensus was reached to conduct more effective practical training and internship processes for students in businesses in cooperation with chambers/commodity exchanges, to develop models that will increase employment, and to strengthen coordination among stakeholder institutions.