The vision of the Thematic Vocational School at MAKÜ is strengthening

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) has changed the name of Bucak Hikmet Tolunay Vocational School to “Bucak Hikmet Tolunay Transportation and Logistics Vocational School” in accordance with the decision of the Executive Board of the Higher Education Council dated 24.04.2026, within the scope of thematic restructuring studies carried out under its umbrella.

The thematic structuring process in MAKÜ's vocational schools stands out as a strategic approach aimed not only at name changes but also at specialization in education, stronger collaboration with the industry, and more focused use of existing academic capacity.

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University operates a teaching ecosystem based on specialization in vocational education with vocational schools structured in different thematic areas such as Gölhisar Health Services Vocational School, Burdur Health Services Vocational School, Technical Sciences Vocational School, and Social Sciences Vocational School. This structure supports the development of programs in line with their field focuses, more effective use of faculty members' expertise, and the training of students with more distinct professional qualifications.

Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar has systematically addressed the issue of thematic structuring in vocational schools since his roles as vice-rector and Coordinator of Vocational Schools; he has contributed to the development of a field-focused and industry-integrated model in vocational higher education by reporting on the studies in this area. Rector Dalgar states that the vision of thematic vocational schools enables students to be trained in more specialized fields, allows for more effective use of teaching capacity, and establishes stronger connections with regional needs. 

MAKÜ's structuring in this area had previously been strengthened by decisions accepted by the Higher Education Council. In this context, the name of Altınyayla Mehmet Tuğrul Vocational School was changed to Altınyayla Mehmet Tuğrul Security Services Vocational School, and the name of Yeşilova İsmail Akın Vocational School was changed to Yeşilova İsmail Akın Tourism Vocational School. Thus, it was aimed for vocational schools to achieve a structure that is more compatible, more visible, and more specialized with their own program areas.

With the thematic vocational school model, it is aimed for students to be trained more deeply in a specific professional field; for faculty members' expertise to meet the needs of relevant sectors more directly; and for laboratories, workshops, application areas, and sector connections to be used more effectively. This structure strengthens both students' professional competencies and contributes to the training of a more qualified workforce compatible with regional development goals.

The name Bucak Hikmet Tolunay Transportation and Logistics Vocational School is also considered a current step of this holistic approach. Considering Bucak's strategic location in the Western Mediterranean, production and trade mobility, road connections, and logistics potential; the renaming of the school with a focus on transportation and logistics is seen as an important development that will more strongly connect the region's needs with our University's educational capacity.