Trustee-hit Bilgi University sees mass placement vacancies
(AA photo)
Foundation universities hold nearly 79 percent of the 45,033 vacant spots in Türkiye’s formal higher education placements announced this week, with Istanbul Bilgi University suffering massive shortfalls following a trustee appointment.
The private institution left 40 percent of its undergraduate seats unfilled this year, worsening from a 30 percent vacancy rate last year despite shrinking its total quota. Its Communication Faculty saw only 175 students enroll for 419 available spots, becoming the most vacant faculty on campus. The Mechatronics Engineering department drew just five students for its 39 seats, rendering it the least preferred program.
Authorities appointed a trustee to Bilgi University in September 2025 due to an ongoing investigation into Can Holding. Officials initially ordered the university closed as part of the probe but later reopened the campus after students and academics faced significant hardships.
