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The Higher Education Board (YOK) ruled on Mar. 16 that Fatih University was not to take on any students over the 2000-2001 academic year. Fatih University is home to 3,700 students and ranks in the top fiver of Turkey's universities in many disciplines. The decision taken against this university has seen a large public outcry. TDN interviewed Prof. Turgut Balkas the rector of Fatih University and asked him why YOK took such a decision:
TDN- The Higher Education Board ruled on Mar. 16 that Fatih University was not to take on any students over the 2001-2002 academic year. Does that mean that Fatih University will be unable to take on any new students at all next year?
BALKAS- The university has constantly provided its students with an education to date. The university management is not opposed to YOK and have not been so far. Therefore we think that this decision, which we believe was taken on the basis of wrong information, will be overturned. As this place is the university of a [pious] foundation, it has a board of trustees. They have initiated the relevant legal proceedings in response to this decision. However, the academic staff are not privy to these proceedings. YOK is a system formed to ensure coordination between universities. One cannot be both a part of that system and opposed to it. As long as YOK exists, we have to abide by its rules.
TDN- This is the first time such a decision has been taken against a university in Turkey. How did you and your students react to it?
BALKAS- The aspect of this decision that makes us think the most is our 4,000 or so students. Some of them are going receive diplomas. The rest are going to graduate in the years ahead. The psychological state of our students in the wake of this decision concerns us greatly. A students works his heart out and gets a diploma but he wonders whether this diploma is going to be of any use and how this will affect his future. Some of our students expressed this very well when they said they were going to have diplomas from a quality but defunct university.
Naturally, we have tried to boost the moral of the students in order to prevent such negative psychology. We asked them to greet YOK's decision peacefully, And none of our students have acted against it using any aggression whatsoever. There has been no backlash seen to this on campus either. They all believed the allegations leveled at the university were unfounded. All our best staff and students know this and they have not let this get them down.
TDN- So, why was such a decision taken against your university?
BALKAS- I believe this decision was the result of insufficient knowledge and information. It may be that the inspectors were not familiar with the university and that YOK was given insufficient information. Had the respected members of YOK come to the university and seen for themselves, I really believe they would have reviewed their decision.
TDN-What do say to the allegations that YOK noted in its decision?
BALKAS- Some of the allegations noted in the decision are pure hearsay. There is not the slightest bit of evidence to support them. It is not as if they can be proven anyway. For example, the view that most of the staff are opposed to Atatürk's reforms. It is impossible for any one of our staff to have such a makeup. Furthermore, it is not known on what basis such an abstract allegation as what people think emerged anyway.
TDN- The headscarf debate is one that is always in the news. YOK's decision says that femal students were encouraged to wear headscarves.
BALKAS- I do not reckon that any state or foundation university applies the headscarf ban as rigidly as we do. Just yesterday, for instance, we banned one student from coming to university for one month for breaking the ban. There is no basis for stating girls are encouraged to wear headscarves. On the contrary, there are disciplinary penalties that show the ban is being applied here. We even instigated legal proceedings against a member of staff at our Ankara campus for wearing a headscarf.
TDN- One of the points talked about in connection with Fatih University is its alleged connection with Fethullah Gülen and his community. Is there really such a link?
BALKAS- I have been at this university for three and a half years and was dean of the Engineering Faculty before becoming rector. The only thing I have seen at this university with respect to Fethullah Gülen is his picture on the walls of the university before the opening ceremony. I definitely have not seen anything other than this, not have I definitely have not seen anything other than this, not have I felt such a thing. Even had I felt it, I would not have dwelt on it because I have stayed well away from religious communities for a long time.
TDN- The decision against the university still has not been lifted. What is going to happen now?
BALKAS- I believe everything is going to work out. That is what we wish for. I do not rate the chances of any decision that will close a university down. However, if we cannot take on new students for one year, this university, which is still in the founding phase, will suffer greatly financially, We do not have any capital group behind us.
Secondly, our students will fall into depression. It will affect the bright futures of thousands of students and staff. This decision is one that will paralyze this university. We say all the time: If there is anything done on this university in breach of the rules, then let them warn us and we will straighten it out immediately. Let us penalize any who are in the wrong. Do not let all the staff and students suffer collectively. 2001-05-02 00:00:00
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