Conquest of Universities

Political authorities in Turkey, seeing free thought, academic autonomy and independence – which are a must for science – always as obstacles, have frequently clashed with scientists. That is why, high education politics were shaped in an authoritarian perspective, while bans, dismissals and penalties always existed. With the High Education Council (YÖK) regime that was established by September 12 coup organisers, such policies gained a corporate and continuous identity. The tutelage at universities continues after those promising to change it have come into power and forgotten their promises. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) was no exception in this, despite the promises it made in the first years of its ruling. Furthermore, pressure against universities reached dimensions that multiplied coup periods. Below you will find a summary of how this process occurred, step by step …