Protests Continue at Boğaziçi: Students Only Shake Hands with "Real Professors"

Protests Repeat in the Heart of Istanbul The 2026 graduation ceremony of Boğaziçi University, one of Turkey's most prestigious educational institutions, was once again marked by political tensions and academic demands. According to reports published on July 5 and 6, 2026, the new graduates demonstrated their protest against the presence of the appointed administration (known by protesters as the "trustee management") through symbolic actions [1]. These protests, now entering their sixth year, reflect a deep rift between the student body and the government-appointed management staff.

Selective Handshakes; A Clear Message to Management One of the most prominent moments of this year's ceremony was the collective refusal of students to shake hands with the rector and faculty members appointed in recent years. Reports indicate that as students passed the podium, they shook hands only with those professors they consider "real professors" and supporters of university independence [1][3]. This action, accompanied by applause from the audience and families, quickly resonated on social media and became a symbol of the distinction between academic legitimacy and political appointments.

Turning Backs to the Podium; A Tradition of Resistance In addition to the refusal to shake hands, the tradition of "turning backs to the podium" was repeated in the 2026 ceremony. When the appointed rector took the podium to deliver a speech, hundreds of students simultaneously turned around and faced their backs toward him [2]. This movement, which began with the appointment of Melih Bulu in 2021, has now become an integral part of the protest culture at Boğaziçi. Carrying placards with themes of "Academic Freedom" and "Independent University," students emphasized that they will continue these actions until democracy returns to the university structure.

Reactions and Security Atmosphere Field reports show that this year's ceremony was held under strict security measures. However, the heavy presence of security forces could not prevent students from expressing their anger [2]. Many analysts believe that the continuation of these protests in 2026 indicates the failure of efforts to normalize the appointed management at this university. Students' families also showed their support for this civil movement by applauding their children at many moments, emphasizing the need to maintain the educational quality and international reputation of Boğaziçi [3].