12 Major Turkish Universities Await Rector Appointments by Erdoğan

Today, July 17, 2026, the Turkish academic environment is awaiting one of the most significant management decisions of the year. According to published reports, the process of appointing new rectors for 12 state universities whose current management terms have ended has reached its final stage. After receiving candidacy applications and conducting specialized interviews, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has sent its final list to the Presidency, and the final decision now rests with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan [1].

List of Universities Awaiting Management Changes According to official data, the 12 universities waiting for presidential decrees include some of Turkey's most important educational institutions. These universities are: * Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa * Gebze Technical University * Sakarya University * Düzce University * Eskişehir Osmangazi University * Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University * Yalova Technical University and Izmir Katip Çelebi University [2][3].

Additionally, institutions such as the Ankara Music and Fine Arts University and the Turkish-German University are also on this list, indicating the breadth of these changes across various scientific and artistic levels [3].

Impact of Appointment Delays on the Academic Body Educational experts warn that a prolonged appointment process could lead to a form of "managerial paralysis" in these institutions. Reports indicate that in many of these universities, current rectors whose legal 8-year or 4-year terms have ended are refraining from making long-term strategic decisions [2]. This has caused investment projects, academic planning for the new academic year, and even some internal appointments at faculty levels to be postponed until the new management is established [1].

Uncertainty in management not only affects the morale of faculty members but can also overshadow the standing of these universities in international rankings. The Turkish academic community expects these decrees to be published in the Official Gazette (Resmi Gazete) as soon as possible, given the proximity to the new registration season [2].

Legal Process and Next Steps According to Article 13 of the Turkish Higher Education Law (Law No. 2547), the process of determining a university rector begins with a call from YÖK. After reviewing qualifications and conducting interviews, three final options for each university are proposed to the Presidency. Finally, the President, based on his legal authority, appoints one person as the university rector [3].

Simultaneously with the wait for these 12 universities, the Council of Higher Education has started a new round of calls for 12 other universities (including Erciyes and Muğla universities) as of July 17, 2026, indicating a busy summer for the Turkish higher education system [1].