President Erdoğan vows to protect universities from bans and oppression
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Attends Academic Year Opening Ceremony at Beştepe Nation Congress and Culture Center
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a significant appearance at the 2023-2024 Academic Year Opening Ceremony held at the Beştepe Nation Congress and Culture Center. Emphasizing the importance of knowledge in leading humanity, President Erdoğan stated that falling behind in the field of science and academia would result in falling behind in other areas as well.
Turkey’s achievements in higher education were highlighted by President Erdoğan, who proudly announced that the country ranks first in Europe with over 7 million students enrolled in higher education institutions. Additionally, Turkey is among the top 10 countries worldwide with the highest number of international students, with nearly 340,000 students from 198 countries.
President Erdoğan also expressed his commitment to avoiding any associations of bans, oppression, fights, or ideological impositions with Turkish universities. He emphasized that universities are universal institutions that contribute not only to the acquisition of knowledge but also to the intellectual development of students and the discovery of their talents.
The President further stated that universities have a crucial role in the transfer and development of culture, the formation of ideas, and the overall progress of society. He stressed that dynamic, free, and developed universities have a positive impact on society, while the decline in education, culture, arts, and industry is inevitable in the absence of such institutions.
In his statements, President Erdoğan highlighted the transformative power of knowledge. He cited the examples of the United States and Europe, where universities have played a pivotal role in their rise as global powers. Conversely, societies that neglect investments in science and academia face stagnation and decline.
Addressing the past challenges faced by universities, President Erdoğan reiterated his commitment to never allowing bans, oppression, fights, or ideological impositions to tarnish the reputation of Turkish universities. He remembered instances such as the use of universities in tutelage plans and ideological conflicts prior to past coups.
During his speech, the President also mentioned the significant progress made in the Turkish higher education system. The number of universities increased from 76 to 208, allowing young people to access higher education opportunities closer to their homes. The net enrollment rate in higher education rose from 14% in 2002 to 45% in 2023. Turkey has become a prominent player in European higher education, with over 7 million enrolled students and nearly 340,000 international students.
President Erdoğan acknowledged the growth of teaching staff, with the number of professors, associate professors, and doctor faculty members all increasing significantly. He expressed pride in the fact that 46% of teaching staff are women. Furthermore, this year, the government allocated an additional quota of 21,000 spots in state higher education institutions for women over the age of 34 who previously missed out on higher education opportunities.
President Erdoğan reiterated his commitment to ensuring that universities remain spaces of freedom and academic excellence. He expressed satisfaction with the measures taken by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) in the field of science diplomacy, as well as the efforts made to support students affected by the recent earthquake.
In conclusion, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s presence at the 2023-2024 Academic Year Opening Ceremony highlighted the significance of knowledge and academia in leading humanity. Turkey’s achievements in higher education were celebrated, and a strong commitment to preserving the integrity and freedom of universities was emphasized. The government’s dedication to providing equal opportunities for education and progress was also reiterated.
