The slow death of Turkish higher education

Par A Kadir Yildirim. Recent reforms in higher education are threatening the independence of Turkish universities. Academic freedom is not something Turkey is known for, and recent legislation on higher education makes sure that it will stay that way for years to come. The government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), in a push to exert greater control over higher education, has proposed legislation undermining the autonomy of private universities and academic freedom of professors, which is almost certain to pass in the parliament. More...