In the published regulation, some definitions have been revised, and the terms 'institution on behalf of which the education is pursued, "study plan" and "graduation date" have been added.

 

The Ministry of National Education has extended the 12-month waiting period for Turkish students sent abroad for higher education under Law No. 1416 to 18 months, which is required for acceptance into graduate or doctoral programs.

 

Students who extend their master's program by more than 6 months are now allowed to pursue a doctoral degree with either full or partial scholarship status.

 

To ensure effective monitoring of students educational processes according to the needs of their institutions, a regulation has been established requiring the consultation of domestic academic advisors for requests related to extensions, scientific preparation, thesis or fieldwork, scientific activities, postdoctoral research permissions, and changes in country, field, education level, and institution.

 

Regulations have also been made to allow pregnant female students who are studying languages domestically under the relevant law or who have not yet traveled abroad to benefit from maternity leave in the event of childbirth.

 

Accordingly, female students within the country will be granted scholarship leave for up to 16 weeks in total, with a maximum of 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth-upon request.

 

Additionally, the right to leave without a scholarship for up to 12 months granted to female students who give birth while studying abroad has also been extended to female students who give birth while studying domestically or during their waiting period.

 

According to the Regulation, the procedures and principles for determining the requirements and limits of postdoctoral research permission will be established by the Ministry.

 

The requirement to apply for postdoctoral research permission within a maximum of 2 months from the graduation date has been reduced to 1 month.

 

Orientation, informational training, or meeting activities will be organized domestically for students who qualify for official scholarship status for postgraduate studies abroad. When the student goes abroad, the Ministry may also provide orientation in coordination with the consulate or attaché if deemed necessary.

 

It has been made compulsory for students studying abroad to use the visa type determined by the Ministry.