Prof. Ayhan: "No need for arguments"

ISTANBUL – Inter-universities Council President Prof. Ayhan Alkis said that in discussions with the government concerning the proposed Tertiary Education Council (YOK) law, much progress had been made, adding that there was no need for angry exchanges and exaggerated claims.

He dismissed the reactions of some rectors as phony, saying that statements made did not reflect the needs or the problems of universities.

He said they had found common purpose with the government, noting that what really was important was what model universities should seek, what do universities really need and how could education be improved.

A commission established by Inter-universities Council and the government was overlooking the process, said Alkis, calling for the government to announce on which subjects they had reached agreement.

Process was a reform, said Alkis, adding that it would include autonomous universities, universal rights, academic freedom and autonomy, academic ethics, transparency and accountability.

He said they accepted government role within YOK, not government dominance over it, noting that if government announced what had been done, most of the things feared would just be seen as superfluous.

CELIK: PM REACTS AGAINST POLITICAL STATEMENTS

Education Minister Huseyin Celik said today that some political remarks made by university rectors concerning the proposed Tertiary Education Council (YOK) law had naturally caused Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to react, adding that some criticisms and remarks that exceeded moral boundaries would be dealt in courts.

He said Erdogan’s remarks were not directed against the whole academic population, but just a section that did not know who they stood for.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer repeated his warning over the politicization of universities today, saying that universities secured the future of the country.

Sezer, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Agean University, said that while politics was being directed by science, it would be unacceptable for universities to be tools of politics.

CHP ASKS PM TO APOLOGIZE

Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentary group deputy leader and deputy from Mersin Mustafa Ozyurek said today that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements yesterday concerning university rectors were insulting, asking if PM was thinking of apologizing to the rectors.

Reciprocal exchanges between various university rectors and PM Erdogan had occurred yesterday, due to the government’s intention to change the outdated Tertiary Education Council (YOK) Law. The current law places a military official to be a member of YOK and limits the authority of the universities. However, over the years many universities have become the domains of a few academics and rectors, who do as they please.

Prime Minister Erdogan had told the rectors first to learn how to make civilized statements, before criticizing the government.

UNIVERSITY RECTORS UP IN ARMS

Office of Istanbul University Rector issued a statement sying that PM Erdogan’s comments were unfortunate, while rectors all around Turkey criticized the stance taken by PM Erdogan.

Statements and counter statements coming out continuously are reporting that while the government tried to consult with the rectors, some rectors were only interested in extending their tenure.