Bilgi University stands tall: 'We call for struggle'

In the decision dated May 22, 2026, signed by AKP President Erdoğan, the text stated, "It has been decided to revoke the operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University, whose founding foundation has been placed under a trustee, in accordance with Article 11 of the Higher Education Law No. 2547."

Students of the closed Bilgi University are continuing their resistance with an overnight vigil following the second day of their protests. While numerous water cannon vehicles (TOMA) and riot police teams were brought to the campus parking lot, students declare that they will continue their protests.

‘IT HAS LOST ITS VALIDITY’

Speaking to 12punto regarding the decision, Bilgi University student E.G. stated, "This attack, which shows how far the fascist one-man regime can go—a regime that revoked an operating license overnight via a presidential decree, leaving academic staff and personnel in a precarious situation regarding their jobs and students in an ambiguous situation regarding their tight academic calendar—is clearly a usurpation of our right to education. We characterize this as a reflexive statement aimed at curbing the climate of uncertainty that leaves all questions about our future, our school, and our jobs hanging in the air before the upcoming holiday break," while Y.I. said, "With the decree published in the middle of the night, not only the future of more than 20 thousand students but also that of hundreds of academics and laborers has been left in uncertainty. The YÖK statement that 'no grievances will occur' has lost its validity from the very beginning. Students and academics are being forced to be torn away from the campuses and educational culture to which they have dedicated their years."

‘WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS UNCERTAIN’

Stating that uncertainties continue regarding what path will be followed after the incident, E.G. said, "In our opinion, some internal soothing, so to speak, 'remedial' statements came from Rector Ege Yazgan in order to break the legitimate activism of the students. Although we hope these are reassuring statements, the uncertainty on campus continues," while Y.I. added, "Due to the fact that the guarantor university is MSGSÜ (Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University), it is claimed that current Bilgi students will continue their education under the name 'Bilgi University,' but this claim itself creates many new question marks. Let's say it happens, will it continue from the same campus, which does not seem very possible. Otherwise, it is absurd to think that Mimar Sinan, whose campuses can barely suffice for its own students, can provide educational opportunities for Bilgi students, who are more than twice the current number. Besides this, the fate of departments that do not exist at MSGSÜ is also uncertain. The possibility of transfer to other state universities where existing departments are located or central horizontal transfer is mentioned, or that it will continue at MSGSÜ in the same way..."

‘WE WILL CONTINUE’

Furthermore, regarding the future of the protests to be organized by the students, E.G. said, "We are conducting the process in solidarity with Bilgi University students, unions, mass organizations, and our student friends. We are continuing our completely legitimate protests in line with the decisions taken with the active participation of all students and the components of the platforms, without allowing provocations and external interventions. A Bilgi student will not abandon their school, their education, and their home of life," while Y.I. said, "As Bilgi University students, we will not leave our school and our campuses to decrees; we will continue our struggle together. We call on everyone who wants to lend a hand to organized struggle."

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU