According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Friday, May 22, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly approved the closure of Istanbul Bilgi University after a presidential decree revoked the institution’s operating licence, according to announcements published in Turkey’s Official Gazette.
The decision, made public on Thursday, stated that the university’s activities would be terminated under provisions contained in Turkey’s Higher Education Law. Turkish media reports indicated that the decree was signed directly by Erdoğan and formally enacted through a presidential order following the appointment of trustees to the university’s founding foundation.
According to reports, Istanbul Bilgi University had been operating under trustee administration since 2025 after Turkish authorities took control of Can Holding, the company associated with the institution’s founding structure. Officials stated that the university’s operating permit was withdrawn in line with Article 11 of the Higher Education Law, which regulates the functioning and supervision of higher education institutions in Turkey.
The closure has created uncertainty for thousands of students and academic personnel linked to the university. Turkish media outlets reported that arrangements are expected to be made for students to continue their education through Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, which had previously been assigned as the guarantor institution responsible for overseeing academic continuity if necessary.
The development comes amid broader political and institutional tensions in Turkey involving universities, opposition figures, and increased government oversight of academic institutions. In recent months, several universities across the country have experienced administrative interventions, heightened security measures, and legal disputes connected to political demonstrations and opposition activities.
Critics have argued that growing state involvement in university administration could affect academic independence, while government officials maintain that such measures are necessary to ensure legal compliance and institutional stability. Turkish authorities have not released further details regarding the long-term future of the university’s campus operations or academic programmes……See More
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