Türkiye’de Yükseköğretimin Gelişimi Development Of The Higher Education In Turkey

Higher education institutions are generally received as the institutions which undertake some responsibilities for society. To meet the necessity of the qualified person, to provide the cultural transmission from one generation to another and to contribute to the solution of the problems of the society through scientific researches are accepted as the main responsibilities of the higher education institutions. As the social functions of universities, academies and the schools of higher education are very important, the public opinions has always taken an interest in these institutions. The problems of the higher education have been frequently discussed in the society. These discussions which express the aspiration and request of the society have paved a way for the changes and the reforms in the university system in general. Before the foundation of the Turkish Republic, the first secular higher education institutions were established in 1773. The higher education institutions established in the 18 and 19 centuries are the basis of our contemporary universities. Especially, since the foundation of the Turkish Republic, a structural and managerial transformation has taken place in the higher education system in order to implement its functions both at national and international level. The first radical changes in the higher education system have taken place with the 1933 Reform Act. The reform acts proceeded with the laws enacted in the year 1946 and later in 1973. The last radical change in the higher education system was carried out with the 1983 Reform Act. With the entry into force of Law no 2547 on Higher Education, the Turkish Higher Education System was regulated based on the principle of integrity and a new content has been established for the higher education system. There is no doubt that, the Turkish higher education institutions make a strenuous effort in order to implement their functions. However, these efforts are being limited with the restricted proficiency of the other system of the society. The aim of this research is to disclose the changes and the developments taken place in the Turkish Higher Education System in the pre and post periods of the Turkish Republic.