Erdogan orders closure of liberal Istanbul university

Yesterday 11:45

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the closure of a major private university in Istanbul during the academic year, according to an official decree published in the country’s official gazette.

The decision revokes the operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University, a well-known institution with more than 20,000 Turkish and international students. The university is recognized for its social sciences programs and has long been considered one of Turkey’s more liberal academic institutions.

The decree cites legal provisions allowing the closure of private universities if educational standards are deemed insufficient. However, the move has sparked concerns among academics and students about the future of academic freedom and institutional autonomy in Turkey.

Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK) stated that it would take necessary measures to ensure that students are not negatively affected, especially as end-of-semester exams approach. However, no clear plan has yet been announced regarding student transfers or degree completion.

The closure has triggered criticism from legal scholars and faculty members. A professor at Bilgi University described the decision as unlawful, arguing that universities can only be closed through legislation rather than executive decree.

The university had already faced legal and administrative pressure in recent years following investigations into its parent holding company. Despite this, it remained active in international exchange programs such as Erasmus and continued to host a diverse student population.

The decision marks a new development in the ongoing debate over higher education governance and academic independence in Turkey.