Gul urges new universities to help promote local development

A group of rectors of 23 newly established universities, led by Board of Higher Education (YOK) head Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, was received by President Abdullah Gul at the Cankaya Presidential Palace late last week. During the meeting, Gul stressed the importance of universities for Turkey, saying that they should not set themselves apart from the residents of their cities but should rather seek close cooperation with industrialists and businessmen, as they are expected to be the driving force of development in these cities. During the reception, Gul was briefed by the rectors on their universities, and he voiced his expectations of the universities and the rectors themselves. Calling the work of establishing new universities in smaller cities critical, Gul said, "The way you start a task determines how that task will continue. Thus, it is important to begin with a solid foundation. Your universities differ from larger universities in that they are established in the smaller cities of Anatolia and are named after those cities. The residents of those cities have great expectations of you. You should integrate well with them and create a synergy there." Gul told the rectors that they must be very thorough during the initial phases, giving careful thought to what departments and schools their universities should include, and avoid being overly ambitious. He said universities and their departments should have well-defined missions and frameworks. "Don't be tempted to establish a great many departments within your universities, but set up a structure that will place a priority on the comparative advantage of your city," he continued. "You can consult YOK on this. You should have a sound organization from the beginning. Then you should promote your university with your achievements on a national scale." Gul also urged the rectors to find ways to work together with local businesspeople. "Businessmen who have accumulated a certain level of capital may want to make socially responsible investments, and it is right that they be directed to do so in their hometowns," he said.