Objective: Atatürk University is committed to ensuring that students from the lowest 20% of household income nationally not only gain access to higher education but also succeed in completing their studies. This policy reflects our mission to combat intergenerational poverty and to guarantee equitable opportunities for all students, regardless of their financial background.
Scope and Methodology:
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Monitoring is conducted annually at the faculty level, covering admission, retention/progression, and graduation indicators.
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Data are drawn from ATAUNİ-OBS (the university’s student information system) and verified through institutional reporting.
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Reports are submitted to the University Senate to guide evidence-based interventions.
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The definition of “lowest 20% income households” follows national quintile standards and is validated through bursary records and student declarations.
University-wide Key Figure (2024):
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Proportion of students from the lowest 20% of household income: 17.2% of the total student body.
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Graduation and retention rates are calculated based on program-specific durations (4, 5, or 6 years, depending on the faculty).
Faculty-Based Graduation Indicators (2024)
| Faculty | % of Students from Lowest 20% Income | Retention Rate (%) | Graduation Rate (%) | Avg. Time to Graduation (years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Education | 21% | 85% | 72% | 4.2 | Strong social support, high demand for teaching programs |
| Faculty of Engineering | 15% | 78% | 65% | 4.8 | Extra tutoring and mentoring introduced |
| Faculty of Medicine | 9% | 90% | 70% | 6.2 | National standard completion time |
| Faculty of Agriculture | 26% | 83% | 74% | 4.4 | Strong integration with rural outreach programs |
| Faculty of Arts and Sciences | 19% | 80% | 68% | 4.5 | Broadest student population |
| Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences | 22% | 77% | 66% | 4.3 | Financial aid prioritized in this faculty |
| Faculty of Theology | 24% | 84% | 71% | 4.2 | High retention, strong community support |
| Faculty of Fine Arts | 17% | 76% | 64% | 4.5 | Vulnerable to dropouts due to living costs |
| Faculty of Dentistry | 11% | 88% | 69% | 5.6 | Aligned with national program length |
| Faculty of Veterinary Medicine | 20% | 79% | 67% | 5.0 | New bursary program launched in 2023 |
| University Average | 17.2% | 82% | 68% | 4.6 | — |
Support Mechanisms
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Academic Support: mentoring, tutoring, peer-led study groups.
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Social & Psychological Services: counseling and peer networks.
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Financial Support: scholarships, meal subsidies, housing aid, emergency funds.
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Employment Opportunities: on-campus part-time jobs, internships, local partnerships.
Equity Gap Analysis
Graduation rates are compared annually across faculties to identify gaps. Additional support—such as targeted scholarships, extra tutoring hours, and faculty-level bursary schemes—is introduced where performance is lower, especially in Engineering and Fine Arts.
Transparency & Evidence
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Faculty-level data tables and methodology notes are published online in PDF/HTML formats, accessible until at least the next submission cycle.
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Year of reference: 2024.
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Clear explanations of definitions, indicators, and formulas are provided to ensure international comparability.
