SWOT Analysis Strengths Availability of Erasmus, Mevlana, Farabi, and Orhun exchange programs within the university, allowing student and academic staff mobilityA young, energetic, and highly motivated academic staffA strong and uninterrupted internet infrastructure throughout the universityOnline access to a wide range of scientific databases through the university libraryEffective communication and collaboration with other academic and administrative units within the universityOpen and functional communication channels with non-governmental organizations, primary healthcare centers, and hospital administrationsEmphasis on in-service training and professional developmentPotential to organize and participate in national scientific events such as congresses and coursesAn institutional culture that supports effective communication between academic and administrative staffA fully PhD-qualified academic staff, each with expertise in their respective fields Weaknesses The current number of classrooms and laboratories is insufficient to meet both present and anticipated educational demands; the department has not yet been allocated dedicated physical teaching spaces.The infrastructure required to support applied education—particularly in laboratory settings—is still in the establishment phase.The number of faculty members in certain sub-specialties remains limited, which may restrict the department's capacity to offer a fully comprehensive curriculum.The intensity of teaching and practical responsibilities limits faculty members’ availability for academic advising and continuous professional development activities.The current faculty-to-student ratio in clinical and field-based education indicates a need for additional academic staff to ensure effective supervision and mentoring.Existing capacity for the assessment of students’ clinical observation skills and technical competencies requires further development.The faculty’s physical location outside the main university campus presents limitations in students’ access to social, cultural, and academic support services.The geographical distance from the city center may occasionally create challenges for students in accessing basic needs such as transportation, accommodation, and food services.There are ongoing gaps in the availability of educational materials and technical equipment essential for maintaining the quality and continuity of instructional activities.Opportunities for real patient-based learning experiences, which are vital for developing clinical communication and intervention skills, remain limited.Coordination mechanisms with other academic units to support interdisciplinary education have yet to be systematized and strengthened. Opportunities The physiotherapy profession is gaining increasing global importance, with a growing demand for qualified professionals across diverse healthcare settings.Availability of international scholarships, internships, and academic exchange programs (such as Erasmus+, Mevlana, Farabi) for both students and academic staff enhances global academic integration.High potential for active engagement in European Union–funded research, mobility, and development projects.Broad employment opportunities for graduates across public institutions, private healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, wellness programs, and academic settings.Favorable regional conditions that minimize accommodation-related challenges for students.The geographical location of the city offers strategic accessibility to major metropolitan areas, facilitating academic and professional mobility.Strong potential for collaboration with local media, public authorities, and civil society organizations to promote community-based health initiatives.Ongoing national healthcare reforms aimed at unifying services under a single structure contribute to a clearer definition and broader recognition of physiotherapists’ roles.The European Union harmonization process offers a pathway to improved standards in education, research, and healthcare delivery.As a newly established department, there is institutional flexibility and a unique opportunity to design and implement an innovative, modern, and competency-based curriculum.Growing institutional support aligned with the university’s strategic plan to enhance research capacity and infrastructure within the field of health sciences. Threats The city’s geographic and socio-cultural characteristics may limit the institution’s ability to attract top-performing students in the national university entrance examinationLimited availability of extracurricular, cultural, and sports activities that support students’ holistic developmentCompetition for access to clinical and field practice sites due to shared use with other health education institutions in the regionThe physical distance of the school building from the city center occasionally presents transportation challenges for studentsDifficulties in the coordination of common compulsory courses with other departments due to the off-campus location of the faculty buildingThe absence of tertiary-level healthcare institutions such as a university hospital or a training and research hospital in the provinceAdmission of students through vertical transfers from unrelated disciplines may lead to heterogeneity in baseline professional competenciesThe lack of a nationally defined legal framework for the physiotherapy profession in Türkiye results in ambiguity regarding professional roles and responsibilitiesInadequate infrastructure in certain healthcare facilities limits the availability of sufficient and quality internship/practical training opportunities for studentsThe geographical dispersion of practice sites poses logistical challenges in ensuring continuous and effective student supervision during fieldwork