Türkiye reverses closure of Istanbul Bilgi University after backlash
The Turkish government has reversed its decision to revoke the operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University, allowing one of the country’s most prominent private universities to continue academic activities after days of student protests and public debate.
The reversal was announced in a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette and signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The new decision canceled an earlier decree issued on May 22 that had stripped the university of its authorization to operate following the appointment of trustees to its founding foundation.
The edict had cited a law allowing for the closure of a private institution if “the expected level of education and training... is insufficient.”
According to the latest decree, the move was taken upon the recommendation of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
