The Advisory Board Meeting of the Balıkesir University Vocational School's Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technologies Program was held.

The “Program Advisory Board Meeting” was held online on March 10, 2026, by Balıkesir University Balıkesir Vocational School, Department of Electricity and Energy, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technologies Program, with the aim of evaluating curriculum development efforts within the scope of the program’s accreditation process and obtaining feedback from industry stakeholders. In addition to the academic staff of the department, industry representatives, as well as alumni and student representatives, participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, course contents and sequencing were reviewed and discussed in line with current industry needs. Emphasis was placed on the importance of incorporating a greater focus on sustainable HVAC applications, energy-efficient systems, and environmentally friendly refrigerants into the curriculum. Furthermore, a consensus was reached on the inclusion of a new course titled “Refrigeration Service Operations” to enhance students’ practical competencies, as well as the organization of technical field trips to enable students to observe industry practices on-site.

In addition, evaluations were conducted regarding the transition to the 3+1 Education Model (three semesters of academic study followed by one semester of workplace training) in order to strengthen the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application, foster stronger connections with the industry, and improve graduates’ employment prospects.