Gül: University law needed

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

President Abdullah Gül has called on university rectors to begin working on suggestions for a new higher education law, as the focus of the education reform process shifts to the universities.

“It is higher education’s turn. The Supreme Education Council (TÖK) should prepare itself,” Gül said in his address to university rectors yesterday.

Observing that there had been a significant increase in the number of universities in Turkey, as well as changes in university education systems around the world, Gül spoke about the need to formulate a new strategy. “How should our universities proceed? What form should YÖK (the Higher Education Board) take in the future? You would do well to begin working on these issues, starting today,” he said.

Gül’s advice comes at a time when the country is discussing the reform of its educational system, among criticism that the government has overlooked the concerns of experts and associations representing the educational field.

An increase in the number of foreign university students and academics studying and working in Turkey would help the country promote itself in the world, Gül also said. “Foreign students would become envoys for Turkey after they return home,” he said.