Silenced universities cannot produce science: CHP leader

İZMİR

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has blasted the state of Turkey’s education system, stating that the dismissals of academics harm the scientific production.

“If universities cannot produce science in a country, that country does not have much chance left for the future. Silenced universities cannot produce science. If there are academics in a country where academics are dismissed because they have a difference of opinion, then universities cannot produce science,” Kılıçdaroğlu said on April 16. 

Speaking at a panel titled “Thinking about Justice and the Future,” in the western province of İzmir, the CHP head said Turkey’s education system has undergone too many changes in recent years that have caused the country “to move back in development.”

“Universities should produce knowledge. Industry will transform that knowledge into tactile goods and output with high added value,” he said.

Marking the year since the controversial referendum on shifting Turkey to an executive presidential system was held, Kılıçdaroğlu vowed to “bring democracy back” in the 2019 elections, in which the system change stipulated by the amendment will fully go into effect.

Opposition voices have objected to the referendum results, arguing that the Supreme Board of Election’s decision to deem unsealed ballot papers valid cast a shadow to the legitimacy of the vote, while also highlighting voting irregularities in several ballot boxes.

“We will go to the polls with a better preparation in 2019,” Kılıçdaroğlu said adding “we will tackle this process by embracing all the forces that are in favor of democracy.”