Private universities slam New YOK bill

Sabanci University founder Sakip Sabanci has reacted harshly to a new bill proposed by Council of Higher Education (YOK) President Erdogan Tezic. The law draft has been sent to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Education Minister Huseyin Guler.

In a letter of complaint to Erdogan on January 19, Sabanci said the bill would be a step backwards for private universities.

He reminded that Sabanci Holding, one of the cornerstone companies of the Turkish economy founded Sabanci University with an investment of US$200 million, and that every year, the company injected US$15-20 million into the university.

The businessmen said that in order for financially and administratively independent universities to thrive, diversity in tertiary education and a competitive environment was essential. But, instead of reforms to create freer and more flexible structures, the bill would degenerate universities, he said.

19 university presidents issued a joint statement, complaining that restrictions would hinder universities from achieving their goal of foundation.

Sabanci said private universities were autonomous and did not seek to make a profit. He pointed out that if President Ahmet Necdet Sezer appointed university presidents, and YOK appointed faculty deans, as proposed in the bill, the authority of university boards of trustees would be undermined.

He proposed that state universities utilize the fee system to raise the standard of education and research, citing England as an example.

Among the four criticisms listed by university presidents, in the joint-statement, is that their views are not reflected in the new bill.