In line with the recommendations of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) regarding the update of existing programs or creation of new ones under the scope of “New Programs Based on Digital Technologies in Agriculture,” PAÜ Çal Vocational School applied to transform one of its inactive programs into a Digital Agricultural Technologies Program. The application was accepted, and it was approved to admit students for the 2025–2026 academic year with a quota of 30 students.

Çal VS Director Yeşilyurt Er: “Our Digital Agricultural Technologies Program aims to train qualified technicians to meet the needs of the agricultural sector.”

Dr. Lecturer Aysel Yeşilyurt Er, Director of Çal Vocational School, provided the following information on the subject:
“Agriculture is one of the main sources of livelihood in our country, and Türkiye is an important player in global agriculture. However, improper practices during cultivation and insufficient use of new technologies cause a loss in productivity and quality. In an increasingly digital world, digital technologies have started to be widely used in agricultural production. Thanks to this precision technology, not only are human errors significantly reduced, but major conveniences are also provided in many areas such as spraying, fertilizing, maintenance, and monitoring. One of the major problems in our country is the lack of qualified personnel to use this technology. To address this need, the Council of Higher Education recommended that universities develop programs that enhance digital skills in agricultural production. Accordingly, the Digital Agricultural Technologies Program at Çal Vocational School, the first of its kind, was established to train qualified technicians to meet this sectoral need.

The curriculum of the Digital Agricultural Technologies Program will include both agricultural production and the use of digital technologies in agriculture. Since understanding digital technologies without learning agricultural production would be insufficient, the course contents have been structured accordingly. Additionally, the program is planned as a 3+1 education model—three semesters of coursework followed by one semester of workplace training (internship). Thus, students will reinforce the education they receive during the three semesters at school with workplace training at institutions or organizations in the sector during the fourth semester.”

With its strong academic staff, Çal Vocational School is eagerly awaiting to welcome its new students.