Transformation of Higher Education in Türkiye: From Darülfunun to University

Summary

The history of higher education in Türkiye begins with Darülfünun, established during the Ottoman Empire and considered the beginning of the modern university tradition. Founded in the mid-19th century as a Western-style higher education institution, Darülfünun faced various problems from its inception in terms of teaching staff, curriculum content, and institutional structure. With the proclamation of the Republic, the processes of modernization and nation building gained momentum, and alongside reforms in social life, a major process of change and transformation began in the education system. The main goal of the single-party political system, which was established in Türkiye between 1923 and 1931, was to consolidate the new regime in the country and solidify the reforms made in the social sphere. The most important variable in the new regime’s achievement of these goals was the education system. Primary and secondary education institutions spread throughout the country were used as important tools in realizing this goal. However, Darülfünun, the country’s higher education institution equivalent to a Western university, was described as an institution that fell short of the regime’s expectations. This institution, which did not quite match Atatürk’s vision of a university, was closed by a law passed in 1933 and replaced by Istanbul University. Almost simultaneously with this major break in the history of Turkish higher education, Jewish and left-wing scientists fleeing the oppression of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, which was in power in Germany, were employed at this newly established higher education institution. In addition to making important contributions to the institutionalization of higher education in Türkiye and the adoption of the European scientific tradition, some of these scientists who survived the Holocaust also worked at universities in the United States.