Students of İstanbul Şehir University to be transferred to Marmara University

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - Archive

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has announced that the students of İstanbul Şehir University will be transferred to Marmara University, a public university previously declared the "guarantor university" of the former.

Established by the Foundation for Sciences and Arts (BİSAV), which was co-founded by Ahmet Davutoğlu, the university's official authorization has recently been revoked as per the decree of President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In a statement released by the YÖK, it has been indicated that the decision of transfer was taken in the YÖK General Meeting yesterday (June 30). 

Accordingly, the ones who were previously the students of İstanbul Şehir University and continue their education at Marmara University as recently announced will have a diploma of the latter when they graduate.

While a trustee was previously appointed to the BİSAV, which founded the university, the university's official authorization has been revoked by the Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette yesterday.

The Presidential Decree no. 2708 has indicated that "as a result of inspections undertaken by the guarantor university, it has been understood that the university is not in a state to continue providing education and training services considering its current assets."

Indicating that this incapacity of the university has also been confirmed by the YÖK, the decree has declared that "the official authorization of İstanbul Şehir University has been revoked as per the additional Article 11 of the Law no. 2547 on Higher Education."

What happened?

In late January 2020, the state seized the control of the Foundation for Sciences and Arts (BİSAV), the founder of İstanbul Şehir University.

Among the founders of the BİSAV was also Ahmet Davutoğlu, a former Prime Minister from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Davutoğlu has recently established a new political party, the Future Party.

The control of İstanbul Şehir University owned by the Foundation for Sciences and Arts was also seized. On December 19, 2019, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) decided to temporarily hand over İstanbul Şehir University to Marmara University, the guarantor university.

Releasing a written statement, the YÖK indicated that the official authorization of the university was temporarily suspended as per the Article 25/d-3 of the Regulation on Foundation Higher Education Institutions.

As the reason for its decision, the YÖK stated, "It has been understood that the current financial condition of the university has come to a point where it can no longer continue its educational activities, it will increase the suffering of students, academic and administrative personnel and it has become inevitable that its education and training activities will be hindered." (EKN/SD)