The socio-demographic characteristics and career preparation of the rectors in Turkey

The aim of this study is to demonstrate socio-demographic characteristics and career preparation of the rectors in Turkey. This is a descriptive study and includes the 168 state and foundation universities. Data were collected from official web pages of universities, rectors' personal web pages, the web page and statistics of the Council of Higher Education, and the statistics of Assessment Selection and Placement Center. In terms of the socio-demographic characteristics, the findings of the study showed that the majority of the rectors are male, between the ages of 50-60, initially appointed between 45-55 years of age, serving their first terms in their posts, and mainly from Black Sea and Central Anatolia Regions. In terms of career preparation, most of the rectors graduated from Istanbul University, Ataturk University, Ankara University, Middle East Technical University and Istanbul Technical University. They also predominantly graduated from the faculty of engineering, medicine, economics and administrative sciences, and science and art. Most rectors had been formerly as chair, deputy rector or dean prior to incumbency.