What does Council of Higher Education (YÖK) mean for today's students?
What does YÖK founded 34 years ago mean for today's students?
What is the relation of their issues with YÖK? What should YÖK be after 34 years?
The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) is responsible for the supervision of universities in Turkey, in a capacity defined by articles 130 and 131 of the 1982 constitution which was established following coup in 1980. The institution draws criticism by those who see it as an oppressive institution as part of the constiution that has been brought into life by coup players of its time. |
We have posed these question to students from various universities by reason of November 6.
Even though majority is of the opinion that YÖK should be abolished, there are some who believe YÖK should be reorganized.
Students speak on 34th foundation anniversary of YÖK.
"It is mostly to students' disadvantage"
Fatma Göksu (Konya Selçuk University, Department of Journalism): YÖK is an institution seeking its own interests in my opinion. We don't see much benefit of it to students. Their activities are mostly to students' disadvantage.
Laboratories are insufficient, class rooms are crowded, and there is only one computer lab. The school has its TV and newspaper but there are too many technical deficiencies.
A new regulation might be considered to replace YÖK.
"YÖK means obstacle"
Newal Acar (Muş Alparslan University, Department of Kurdish Language and Literature):
It exists for 35 years. Why and for whom does it exist? If we are talking about independent university, why is there YÖK? YÖK means obstacle, a huge obstacle before free university. It hinders both academic staff and students.
It is a men's club. There is one woman academic in my department. Men look after each other. Kurdish language and literature department proceeds parallel with daily politics. It started with resolution process, it is like perfunctory for now.
YÖK must be abolished, I favor autonomous, free universities which administer themselves.
"We want to abolish YÖK"
Çağla Bıyıklı (Anadolu University, Department of History): YÖK is a state apparatus came to exist via coup d'etat. It shapes based on existing government. Since Justice and Development Party is the government now, they try to shut opposite voices.
After June 7 [election] pressures have increased. Police enter the university everyday. We were attacked with the allegation of hanging banners without permission.
We don't approve the approach "YÖK may remain but needs to be reformed", we want to abolish it. Universities are ours, and they will liberate with us.
"YÖK needs reform"
Songül Soysal (Karabük University, Department of Radio and Television/Graduate):
"YÖK is not an independent institution which imposes exams and responsibilities at unequal conditions and do hope mongering. They permit to open departments without considering their future and students flow into these departments without seeing the future.
By means of study credit it gives the impression to provide educational aid but it only serves to students graduating with debt because chances of finding a job after graduation is very low.
I believe YÖK needs a reform to turn into a place in which youngsters who will save universities from capital create ideas.
"Restructuring is required, not abolishment"
Zeynep Seven (Nişantaşı University, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences):
Even though YÖK sometimes appears before us with laws and rules, it is actually the center of higher education as we all know. Since it is about education and the education aims to provide people job and culture, every rule established should be thought thoroughly.
I haven't experienced any difficulty regarding YÖK yet, I say "yet" because I am aware of some complaints and can't help but think if I will have such difficulties too.
I think YÖK shouldn't abolished, it might become a more effective institution with a good restructuring and staff.
"Autonomus-democratic university"
İlknur Özcan (ODTÜ, Department of Philosophy, Student Collectives):
YÖK which is a product of coup d'etat in order to oppress universities has been in our lives for 33 years. Even though it sustains its existence to oppress opposite ideas, it hasn't managed to do it.
Disciplinary regulations, police entering universities, integrating curriculum with capital are among things YÖK has done in recent years. The solution is to entirely shut down YÖK and establish free of charge, autonomus-democratic universities with scientific education. (BK/TK)
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