Turkish President Erdogan Orders Closure of Liberal Private University in Istanbul
Key facts
- Turkish President Erdogan Orders Closure of Liberal Private University in Istanbul
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the closure of Bilgi University, a prominent liberal private university in Istanbul, citing insufficient educational standards. The university had been under court-appointed management since last year due to legal issues involving its parent company.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 22, 2026
Direct answer
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the closure of Bilgi University, a prominent liberal private university in Istanbul, citing insufficient educational standards. The university had been under court-appointed management since last year due to legal issues involving its parent company.
- Citation
- Turkish President Erdogan Orders Closure of Liberal Private University in Istanbul (May 22, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 22, 2026
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the closure of Bilgi University, a prominent liberal private university in Istanbul, citing insufficient educational standards. The university had been under court-appointed management since last year due to legal issues involving its parent company.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 22, 2026 at 17:34
- 🔍 Collected: May 22, 2026 at 18:01 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 31, 2026 at 21:17 (219h 15m after Collected)
AFP reported that Erdogan's order was published in the Official Gazette, revoking the operating license of Bilgi University. The university has over 20,000 Turkish and international students, and some of its researchers are renowned in their fields.
The order cited legal provisions stating that private institutions can be closed if their "educational and training standards are insufficient."
After the Turkish parent company operating Bilgi University was embroiled in money laundering and tax fraud investigations, the university has been under the control of a court-appointed administrator since last year.
Bilgi University was founded in 1996 and is known for its liberal school culture. It participates in the EU's Erasmus exchange program and hosts many European and other international students every year.
FAQ
What is the official reason for closing Bilgi University?
The government cited insufficient educational and training standards.
What are the key facts in this article?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the closure of Bilgi University, a prominent liberal private university in Istanbul, citing insufficient educational standards. The university had been under court-appointed management since last year due to legal issues involving its parent company.
What is the direct answer?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the closure of Bilgi University, a prominent liberal private university in Istanbul, citing insufficient educational standards. The university had been under court-appointed management since last year due to legal issues involving its parent company.