University students protested pro-government rector at graduation ceremony

Students protested the rector Mehmed Özkan, appointed by the ruling AKP party during the 150th Graduation Ceremony of Boğaziçi University
Thursday, 22 June 2017 15:21

Students on Wednesday protested the rector Mehmed Özkan, appointed by the AKP, at the 150th Graduation of Boğaziçi University which had been brought to agenda due to unjust rector appointment last year. During Mehmed Özkan’s speech, Boğaziçi University students turned their back to protect the rector.

Parents and relatives of the students in the ceremonial ground also gave support to the protest of students with whistling and applauses. 

Students’ reactions against the rector did not cease throughout his speech on the platform, as almost all Boğaziçi University graduates staged the protest.  

Rector Mehmed Özkan was appointed to Boğaziçi University by the Turkish President Erdoğan’s decree law last year. Özkan was not even a candidate for the rectorship elections.

Many students and academics had protested the unjust appointment of Mehmed Özkan by the government after the rector election process last year. Prof. Dr Gülay Barbarosoğlu, who received %86 of the votes in the election, had not been appointed by the Presidency.  

Boğaziçi University students also unfurled a banner in solidarity with dismissed educators Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, who have been on hunger strike for 105 days. "We do not surrender to trustees and decree laws. All hail to those who resist! Long live Nuriye and Semih! 

According to the new regulation enacted last year, President Erdoğan has the authority to choose a university rector from three candidates who are suggested by Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK). The relevant law has also given the president a free hand to be able to directly appoint a rector if he does not select one the suggested candidates by YÖK within a month.