A significant cooperation protocol has been signed under the scope of the “National Internship Program” implemented by the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Human Resources Office to facilitate internship opportunities for law faculty students at law firms, notary offices, mediation bureaus, and centers. The signing ceremony was held with the participation of the Ministry of Justice, the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Human Resources Office, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, the Union of Turkish Notaries, and the Turkish Mediators and Mediation Centers Platform.
President of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Human Resources Office, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salim Atay, emphasized that the cooperation protocol of the "National Internship Program" will enhance internship opportunities for law students. Highlighting the contribution of internships to employability, Atay stated, "Students who complete internships start their careers approximately three months earlier than those who do not. Türkiye is one of the most successful countries in implementing talent-based development strategies."
Atay underlined the focus on talent development, mentioning that regional career fairs have been organized, with participation from 17 ministries, public institutions, private sector companies, and local SMEs.To date, more than 1.25 million young people have directly participated in these events.
Drawing attention to the most engaging activities during the career fairs, Atay stated that the initiatives led by the Ministry of Justice stood out. "Among the most popular activities are the Ministry of Justice's virtual court simulations and typewriting competitions. These events also see the direct participation of prosecutors and judges. Based on the feedback of hundreds of thousands of students, the activities organized by the Ministry of Justice have been identified as the most appreciated events at the fairs."
Atay further explained another initiative focused on talent development—the National Internship Program. "Among law students participating in the program, 55% students completed their internship at the Ministry of Justice, , with an impressive 87% satisfaction rate among those interns. This is a remarkable achievement," he noted.
Atay pointed out that each year, applications to the National Internship Program are received from 613 academic departments, with law faculty students ranking fourth in application volume. “This protocol will increase internship opportunities for law students and enable better outcomes. Interns commence their professional careers three months earlier than those who do not intern.. These findings are based on administrative data rather than survey results. Türkiye is one of the leading countries in the world in implementing talent-based development Investment in human talent yields 2.9 times greater growth than investment in physical capital. In the field of justice, this figure rises to 4.7. Enhancements in the justice sector alone contribute as significantly as investments in health, education, and research and development.”
Minister Tunç: The Protocol Will Enhance the Quality of Legal Education
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç emphasized that the cooperation protocol aims to support the career journeys of young individuals, enhance the quality of legal education, and establish a stronger foundation for the future of the justice system.
Minister Tunç stated, "The internship process, which comprehensively evaluates the achievements of students from a broad perspective, is conducted through a fully transparent, traceable, and innovative system, adding significant value to the program. Within the framework of this program, each student is fairly assessed based on their competencies and matched with employers accordingly. Employers, in turn, submit their offers based solely on qualification scores, without accessing students' identity or university information. This approach ensures that students are no longer in a passive position awaiting offers but are empowered to choose among the opportunities presented to them, consciously guiding their career paths. The National Internship Program, which provides such valuable contributions to both employers and young individuals, continues to expand its activities with each passing day."
Minister Tunç further stated, "Students who have the opportunity to undertake internships will observe the legal processes not only in courtrooms but also in notary offices, law firms, mediation centers, and various other legal environments. Through these experiences, they will enhance their professional competencies. Internships will significantly contribute to the development of individuals who implement justice, ensuring that they are well-equipped, conscientious, and responsible. This cooperation protocol will reinforce theoretical education provided in law faculties with practical experiences, enabling students to gain hands-on experience while learning their profession. The protocol will benefit second, third, and fourth-year law students."
Minister Tunç also reflected on his own academic years, noting that during his studies, students did not have the opportunity to enter courthouses and courtrooms until graduation. He remarked that today's students are much more fortunate.
Highlighting the broader value of the program, Minister Tunç stated, "This initiative will not only support the professional development of young individuals but will also contribute to nurturing individuals who internalize ethical and moral values and grasp the essence of justice. Therefore, this protocol is not merely a cooperation document but a strong commitment to the future of our youth."
Addressing the challenges faced by young legal professionals, Minister Tunç emphasized the continuous efforts to introduce new regulations aligned with evolving needs. He noted, "This protocol ensures that law students can gain practical experience within courthouses and alongside lawyers, notaries, and mediators. Our greatest aspiration is to to nurture young legal professionals who will bear the responsibility of delivering justice with conscience and integrity.This protocol represents a significant step towards nurturing future legal professionals. It will enhance the quality of legal education, strengthen students' professional and ethical competencies, and provide a stronger foundation for our country's legal system. Our young legal professionals will play the most significant role in establishing justice and will contribute to making the 'Century of Türkiye' also the 'Century of Justice'. Ensuring that these individuals walk in the light of law and stand by justice is a shared responsibility. Within this responsibility, we will work together to cultivate a generation that defends the supremacy of justice and law, adheres to professional ethics, is well-equipped with knowledge, and gains wisdom through experience."
Following the speeches, the cooperation protocol was officially signed by Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç; President of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Human Resources Office, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salim Atay; President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Erinç Sağkan; President of the Union of Turkish Notaries, Ahmet Alıcı; and Chairman of the Turkish Mediators and Mediation Centers Platform (TURAMEP), Harun Uyanıkoğlu.