The report, titled “The basic problems of higher education in Turkey,” reached the conclusion that universities in Turkey have failed to meet the needs of society and the economy, noting that the country's university entrance system does not provide equal opportunities to all students. “The administration style of the universities is likened to absolutism. Administrative and financial autonomy are being restricted while academic freedom is not fully maintained. The quality of the education provided at universities is in question. Competition among universities is very low. The physical and humanitarian resources of universities fail to meet the needs of Turkey,” said the report.
Since the problems of the higher education system in Turkey are seen from a political and ideological perspective, they are growing in number, said the report, adding that although all segments of society agree that the higher education system needs extensive reform, no action can be taken due to ideological disagreements.
Examining the higher education systems in European Union countries, the US and Far Eastern countries one by one, the SETA report showed that although universities throughout the world engage in activities to produce information through research, convey knowledge to the next generation through education and present services in line with the needs of the society, no Turkish university is able to fulfill these three duties.
Turkish universities are excessively centralist and higher education institutions are not allowed to diversify, the education they provide does not meet the universal standards of education expected of universities and there is a big discrepancy between the number of those who want to enter universities and those who can enter universities, the report said.
The report listed the basic problems of the higher education system in Turkey as follows: The number of students with doctoral degrees at universities is insufficient because students are not encouraged to pursue doctoral degrees and work at universities. Universities in Turkey are traditionally indifferent to the problems of the public and have failed to develop cooperation with state institutions and nongovernmental organizations on issues such as education, health care, energy, agriculture and municipal services. The education programs at universities are not prepared to meet the needs of the business sector; this means there is disharmony between the skills students acquire at university and the skills demanded by business circles. Higher education institutions in Turkey also fail to give sufficient support to the economic development of the country. Turkish universities lag behind world developments regarding licensing and the transfer of technology. Most members of the academic staff at universities are not equipped with pedagogical knowledge. The absence of independent quality assessment agencies constantly delays the assessment of education services provided by universities.
The report showed that Turkey is in the lower ranks among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries with regard to its education retention rate, and students face great inequality when trying to enter university. “In the current system, students are deprived of the right to make a decision about their educational life and even the right to receive an education,” it added. Recalling that the Education Ministry and the government have no direct influence on universities or the Higher Education Board (YÖK), the report said a misunderstanding over the autonomy of universities in Turkey has resulted in universities' failure to give an account of their actions to the public and in the breaking of ties between universities and the public.
