Turkiye shutters liberal Istanbul university seized in criminal probe
Turkiye has closed Istanbul Bilgi University, a private institution known for its liberal values, following a criminal investigation. The university's operating licence was revoked by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, citing insufficient educational standards. Students will be transferred to Mimar Sinan University to continue their education amid protests against the closure.
- ▪Istanbul Bilgi University was seized by the state last year due to a criminal investigation involving its parent company.
- ▪The university had approximately 20,000 students and was known for its liberal values and social sciences focus.
- ▪The closure was enacted through a presidential decree, effective immediately, citing insufficient educational standards.
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News|EducationTurkiye shutters liberal Istanbul university seized in criminal probeCouncil of Higher Education promised to take measures to ensure Bilgi University students ‘suffer no harm’.ListenListen (2 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan [File: Marco Simoncelli / AFP]By AFP and ReutersPublished On 22 May 202622 May 2026Turkiye has revoked the operational licence for a top private university with liberal values, effectively forcing it to close in the middle of the academic year, after the institution was seized by the state in a criminal investigation last year.In a presidential decree, published in the Official Gazette on Friday, President Recep Tayyip…
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