Interpreting the experiences of administrators in the accreditation process: the case of Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University (EBYU)

The aim of this study is to interpret the experiences and perceptions of administrators and academic staff who were directly involved in the accreditation process at Erzincan Binali Yildirim University. The research seeks to reveal the effects of accreditation practices within the framework of quality assurance in higher education on institutional structure, academic functioning, and individual experiences. The study was conducted within the framework of the phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research approaches. The study group consists of administrators and academic staff who actively participated in the accreditation process at Erzincan Binali Yildirim University. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive and content analysis techniques. The findings indicate that the accreditation process contributes positively to institutional awareness, the development of a quality culture, and a sense of academic responsibility. However, it was also found that the process involves certain challenges, particularly in terms of workload, bureaucratic procedures, and time management. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen institutional support mechanisms and increase stakeholder participation to ensure the sustainability of the accreditation process.