The views of academics at the department of educational sciences at faculties of education on the aims of higher education

The purpose of this study is to determine the department of educational sciences academics? views on the aims of higher education. Accordingly, academicians? views received on the primary aims that need to be adopted in higher education and also on these aims? actualization situations. It is thought that the views of academicians, relating to the aims of higher education, will give an idea on the concept of ?quality? in higher education. In this research, descriptive survey model was used. The research that used the qualitative research method, is generated a working group in field of educational sciences which brought together 74 academician whom accepted to attend to the study from Faculty of Educational Sciences at Ankara University, Faculty of Education at Gazi University, Faculty of Education at Hacettepe University and Faculty of Education at Middle East Technical University. The data are collected through semi-structured interview guide via face to face meetings. Content analysis technique is used during the data analysis. Deductive and inductive analysis approaches are also used together in this research; Barnett?s opinions about the aims of higher education constituted the baseline of the deductive analysis approach. At the end of the data analysis process, academician opinions that related to the ideal aims of higher education classified under Barnett?s organization frame. Academicians pointed out that the dominant aims should be adopted primarily, then beside and afterwards this, aims that related to education process should be adopted. Academicians also stated the importance of the aims that related to scientific works/applications and societal progress. In the research, relying on educational sciences academicians views on higher education we understand that the academicians of the department of educational sciences, accepted that the comprehension of quality in the meaning of the fitness for purpose according to their views about the aims of higher education. Academicians emphasized that the specified aims cannot be properly performed due to some reasons. According to academicians? absolution suggestions, about removing the obstacles and its sources from the path of reaching the actualization in higher education, we concluded that the Barnett?s classification about the aims of higher education is particularly insufficient for the developing countries and we offer a new suggestion upon this classification. Keywords: Aims of Higher Education, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculties of Education, Higher Education, Quality, Views of Academician.