Strengths

·        Occupational therapy is a rapidly developing and much-needed health profession in Türkiye.

·        High opportunities for collaboration as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

·        Strong cooperation between the department administration and the faculty administration.

·        A young and dynamic academic staff.

·        A bachelor’s program recognized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Ministry of Health.

·        Increasing job opportunities for graduates in the public sector (Ministry of Health, university hospitals) and in the private sector.

·        Its location in Central Anatolia provides the potential to attract students from different provinces.

·        Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University is motivated to establish and develop new departments.

·        Growing interest in health sciences contributes to strong student demand.

·        Due to the multidisciplinary nature of occupational therapy, opportunities exist for collaboration with other health-related departments at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University.

·        Strong communication and cooperation between academic and administrative staff.

Weaknesses

·        Limitations in educational and research activities due to insufficient physical facilities.

·        Lack of a hospital within the department structure where students can engage in clinical practice.

·        Difficulties in obtaining research equipment.

·        Insufficient number of occupational therapists in Niğde for clinical training.

·        Practice laboratories have not yet been established.

·        Lack of awareness about occupational therapy among the public and even among some healthcare professionals.

·        Limited number of academic staff (especially at the professor and associate professor levels).

·        Limited number of permanent job positions compared to the number of graduates.

·        Postgraduate programs (master’s and doctoral) are not available at every university.

·        Limited number of large hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Niğde restricts students’ clinical training opportunities.

·        Limited cultural and social opportunities due to the small size of the city.

Opportunities

·        Proximity to the capital Ankara provides opportunities to increase collaborations with major hospitals and research centers in the sector.

·        Possibility of developing joint projects and research with other departments within the Faculty of Health Sciences.

·        Participation in the KOP Regional Development Project provides access to regional development initiatives and funding.

·        Expansion of student and academic staff exchange opportunities through international mobility programs such as Erasmus and Mevlana.

·        Growth of occupational therapy in Türkiye brings greater attention to the department for academic and clinical research.

·        Increasing importance of occupational therapy in line with changes in new health policies.

·        Opportunity to participate in government-supported projects related to the education and rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.

·        The university can make the occupational therapy department more visible through participation in regional development projects.

·        Inclusive and rehabilitation-oriented policies of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

·        The growing elderly population in Türkiye increases the need for geriatric and community-based occupational therapy.

·        Increasing importance placed by the Ministry of Health on rehabilitation services and the social inclusion of individuals with disabilities.

·        Rising demand for occupational therapists in special education, mental health centers, and private rehabilitation institutions.

·        Opportunities for students to gain global experience through international cooperation and exchange programs.

·        Increasing use of new technologies in occupational therapy, such as digital health, virtual reality, and telerehabilitation.

·        Growing societal awareness regarding disability rights, inclusivity, and accessibility.

Threats

·        Insufficient classrooms and teaching spaces in the faculty, with potential negative impact on education quality.

·        Lack of application and research centers, limiting students’ opportunities for practical experience.

·        Insufficient number of occupational therapists for clinical training, restricting hands-on learning opportunities.

·        Economic challenges negatively affecting the university’s funding and research budgets.

·        Competition with other universities, creating difficulties in attracting qualified faculty members and successful students.

·        Occupational therapy as a profession is still not well recognized by the public.

·        Slow progress in healthcare employment policies, with limited staff positions being opened.

·        Increasing number of graduates leading to greater competition in the job market.

·        Limited faculty positions for those who want to pursue an academic career.