Son güncelleme: 25 Mayıs 2026 -

Istanbul’s Bilgi University closed, reopened 3 days later by presidential decree

25 Mayıs 2026 Pazartesi

ISTANBUL (Medyascope) – Istanbul’s Bilgi University was closed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s decree On Thursday morning. Bilgi is a private institution known for its pro-opposition leanings. The move led to major protests on campus by students and faculty. On Monday morning (May 25), in a second decree, Erdoğan announced the decision would be reversed and the university reopened. 

By Leo Kendrick • Medyascope

Both decrees released by Erdoğan were just a few sentences long and offered no explanation for either of the decisions. Rumors had first emerged late Sunday afternoon suggesting Erdoğan was considering a reversal. 

The controversy over Bilgi University comes amidst major political turmoil over a court’s removal of party leader Özgür Özel from Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), a move widely seen by critics as handicapping Erdoğan’s main political competition and turning the CHP into a regime puppet. 

Students clashed with police while attempting to enter the university campus (24 March, 2026 — Murat Türsan, Medyascope)

Istanbul’s Bilgi University closed, reopened 3 days later by presidential decree

Protesting students celebrated the announcement of Bilgi’s reopening late Sunday night and early Monday morning, declaring victory following three days of protest and uncertainty. 

Following the closure of the university on Thursday, Bilgi’s 20,000 students had been given little explanation regarding their enrollment status as students. A short announcement from Turkey’s Higher Education Council (YÖK) had stated that Bilgi students would be transferred to the nearby Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. Several students who spoke to Medyascope’s Emir Berke Yaşar during this three-day interim wondered whether they would even be able to finish their degrees, given that Mimar Sinan offers........

© Medyascope