Recent reports indicate that Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), has refused to schedule a meeting for critical academics despite his explicit statements regarding his readiness to address ambiguities at Şırnak University.
An Unanswered Invitation On July 14, 2026, Professor Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), made sharp statements defending the management of Şırnak University during a meeting of the National Education Commission at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Addressing deputies and critics regarding allegations of corruption and nepotism, he said: "If anyone has any doubts, I invite them to YÖK. Come, I will personally initiate the first inspection and issue the first punishment" [3]. These remarks, intended to calm the political atmosphere, have now become his Achilles' heel.
Dr. Bayburtlu's Revelations and Administrative Deadlock Only a few days after this public invitation, Dr. Ahmet Selçuk Bayburtlu, a faculty member at Şırnak University who had previously filed lawsuits against the university management, announced that he had applied to meet with the YÖK President. According to reports published on July 19, 2026, Dr. Bayburtlu contacted the YÖK President's private office twice to schedule a meeting to present his documentation, but was rejected both times [2]. The professor emphasized that despite Özvar's promise that "YÖK's doors are open to critics," in practice, there is no will to hear the protests.
Roots of the Crisis at Şırnak University The crisis at Şırnak University is not a new issue. In recent months, media outlets such as "Yeni Çağ" and "OdaTV" have published numerous reports of "loyalty appointments" by the Rector, Professor Abdurrahim Alkış [1]. It is alleged that 13 individuals, whose names were mentioned as final candidates before the official recruitment advertisements were published, were appointed to those exact positions. Additionally, there are allegations of failing to implement administrative court rulings and applying pressure (mobbing) on dissenting professors, which has strained the academic atmosphere of this border university [2].
Media Reaction and Ethical Consequences In its issue today, July 20, 2026, the "Yeni Çağ" newspaper strongly criticized this behavioral contradiction with the headline "The YÖK President who said 'let anyone with doubts come to me' did not give a meeting time" [1]. Critics believe that Özvar's invitation in parliament was merely a political maneuver to evade accountability. In a statement, Dr. Bayburtlu noted that he intended to meet not for political discussions, but to defend legal rights and present evidence regarding constitutional violations and freedom of expression. Now, the question arises in Turkish public opinion: if the head of the country's highest educational institution does not keep his promise to the nation's representatives, how can the integrity of inspection processes in universities be trusted?
Erol Özvar, President of YÖK, promised in the Turkish Parliament to personally address the ambiguities of Şırnak University.
linkSources
- Şırnak için 'Şüphesi olan bana gelsin' diyen YÖK Başkanı randevu vermemiş — Yeniçağ Gazetesi (2026-07-20)
- Akademisyenden YÖK Başkanı Özvar'a yanıt... Konu: Şırnak Üniversitesi — Odatv (2026-07-19)
- YÖK Başkanı Özvar'dan Şırnak Üniversitesi rektörü açıklaması: Şüpheniz varsa YÖK'e bekliyorum — BirGün (2026-07-14)
