Academic Staff Assessment on the Agricultural Economics Undergraduate Program in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the agricultural economics undergraduate programs in Turkey with regards to the academic staff. An internet-based electronic survey with 90 academic staff was used to collect data. Descriptive analysis technique was used to analyze the data. Research results showed that about one-third of the academic staff stated that the departments generally had insufficient facilities and academic staff. Half of the departments did not have a strategic plan and assessment system for their programs. There was a need to update the undergraduate curriculum. Academic staffs were largely neutral as to whether the department satisfied adequately the expectation of graduates. To improve the quality of agricultural economics undergraduate programs, the departments should have a strategic plan and assessment system for their programs, and their facilities and academic staff resources should be improved. Furthermore, the departments collaborated with their stakeholders and used student-based learning systems to ensure industry ready graduates. © Kamla-Raj 2016.