ITU and METU rectors changed: Erdoğan appoints rectors to 13 universities

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has appointed rectors to 13 universities.

According to the appointment decisions published in the Official Gazette, Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünüvar was appointed as Rector of Ankara University, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu as Rector of Atatürk University, Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan as Rector of Akdeniz University, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil as Rector of Middle East Technical University (METU), Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal as Rector of Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Prof. Dr. Uğur Ünal as Rector of Gazi University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hatipler as Rector of Trakya University, Prof. Dr. Kamuran Eronat as Rector of Dicle University, Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Göktaş as Rector of Fırat University, Prof. Dr. Süleyman Özdemir as Rector of Istanbul Esenyurt University, Prof. Dr. Necip Şimşek as Rector of Istanbul Commerce University, Prof. Dr. Adnan Sözen as Rector of Adana Alparslan Türkeş Science and Technology University, and Prof. Dr. Hamit Emrah Beriş as Rector of Çukurova University.

At Middle East Technical University (METU), Verşan Kök, who had been criticized for years for his controversial practices, was removed from office; he was replaced by Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Ahmet Yozgatlıgil.

At Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu was removed from the rectorship. He was replaced by TÜBİTAK President Hasan Mandal.

'I EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO ERDOĞAN'

Former AKP Adana deputy Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünüvar was reappointed as Rector of Ankara University. It was noted that Ünüvar expressed his "gratitude" to Erdoğan on his social media account. Ünüvar shared the following message:

"With the honor and responsibility of having been deemed worthy of the trust of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and being reappointed to the position of Rector of Ankara University, we will continue to work with all our might to further advance our university's mission of education, research, and service to society. In this process, we will work even harder together for a stronger Ankara University, in unity and solidarity, without compromising our commitment to scientific excellence and universal values.

I would like to once again express my gratitude to our esteemed President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for the trust he has shown in me, and I thank our Council of Higher Education (YÖK) President, Mr. Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, for his support during this process. I also sincerely thank our YÖK members, our university's academic and administrative staff, our students, and our valued friends who have not withheld their prayers."