YÖK calls on universities to 'contribute' to the opening process

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has issued a call to universities regarding the second opening process, referred to as "Terror-Free Turkey." Following the process discussed at the Higher Education General Assembly meeting on August 27, 2026, a letter signed by YÖK President Erol Özvar was sent to all universities.

The letter stated that universities play an important role not only in education, training, and research activities but also in strengthening common values and developing social solidarity through their mission to contribute to society.

CALL FOR ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTION TO UNIVERSITIES

In the YÖK letter, attention was drawn to the importance of addressing the "Terror-Free Turkey" goal through the contributions of different disciplines, covering its social, economic, legal, political, cultural, and security dimensions. Universities were asked to conduct academic research, organize panels, conferences, and workshops, and share the resulting scientific evaluations with the public.

"As is known, the education and training, history, culture, and values that will carry our geography into the future are our common denominator upon which we all agree. In this context, addressing the 'Terror-Free Turkey' goal with its social, economic, legal, political, cultural, and security dimensions, with the contributions of different disciplines, conducting academic research and studies, organizing panels, conferences, and workshops, and sharing the scientific evaluations that will be put forward with the public will make a significant contribution to the process."

The remainder of the letter pointed to the importance of this goal for the country's future, the strengthening of an environment of social peace and security, and the consolidation of national unity and solidarity.

Erol Özvar emphasized that universities are institutions that bring together young people from different backgrounds, stating that higher education institutions can contribute to the process with scientific studies in line with their own academic resources, expertise, and priorities.

"Millions of our young people from all corners of our country meet in our universities, learning, researching, producing, and preparing for life together. Our universities are spaces of brotherhood where differences are a richness, where our young people meet in the same classrooms, produce for the future of the same country, and walk toward tomorrow together."

News Source: 12punto