The 'Proposal Law on Amendments to the Higher Education Law and Some Laws', which also includes regulations regarding student amnesty, was accepted in the National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

The National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly met yesterday under the chairmanship of AK Party Eskişehir Deputy Ayşen Gürcan. In the commission, which lasted approximately 14 hours, the 'Proposal Law on Amendments to the Higher Education Law and Some Laws', which also included regulations regarding student amnesty, was accepted. By offer; An amnesty arrangement is made for students who are dismissed from higher education institutions for various reasons, including preparatory, associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees. In order to benefit from the regulation, students whose relations have been terminated will not have to benefit from the previous amnesty regulations. However, those whose relations were terminated voluntarily, those convicted of terrorism, intentional murder, torture, torment, sexual assault, sexual abuse of children, drug or stimulant production and trade, those whose registration was canceled due to forged documents, and those who submitted false documents during registration will not be able to benefit from the regulation. Those whose relations were terminated will be able to apply to the higher education institution from which their relations were terminated within 4 months from the date of entry into force of the regulation and apply to study in the 2026-2027 academic year. Persons who have done their military service on the date the regulation will come into force will be able to apply to a higher education institution within 2 months following their discharge process. An addition was made to the proposal with the amendment made in the commission. Accordingly; Students who were dismissed from the Police Academy, Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy, and schools affiliated with the National Defense University will not be able to benefit from the amnesty.

REGULATION FOR CONTRACTED INSTRUCTORS

With the proposal, faculty members who retire due to age limit but can continue their duties on a contract basis will have the same personnel rights as their colleagues. Contracted lecturers will be able to benefit from additional course fees, development and academic incentive funds. Lecturers must be between the ages of 67 and 75 to sign a contract, and their contract period will cover 2 years. Academicians who will work in higher education institutions abroad will be able to work for up to 5 years. With the proposal, Technology Transfer Offices within the university will be strengthened. Technology Transfer Offices will be able to take over inventions and receive revenues. In addition, the period given to foundation universities that have a medical faculty but do not yet have a hospital is being extended.

ACADEMIC UNITS MAY BE CLOSED BY YÖK DECISION

'With the amendment made to the Higher Education Law, higher education institutions established by law, regardless of state or foundation, will begin education and training with the decision of the Council of Higher Education. Academic units such as faculties, institutes and colleges that have started education and training can be closed by the decision of the President, and academic units such as conservatories, vocational schools, application and research centers can be closed by the decision of the Council of Higher Education. Regulations are also being made regarding the administrative sanctions and measures to be applied to foundation higher education institutions. In this context; Measures and sanctions may be applied to foundation higher education institutions, depending on the severity of their actions and transactions, such as warning or requesting warning and correction, suspension of requests to establish new academic units or open programs, restriction of student quotas or suspension of student admission, temporary suspension of activity permits and removal of activity permits. If the founding foundation cannot eliminate the reasons that led to the sanction of temporary suspension of the operating permit within 3 years, and if it is understood that this situation is continuing, the operating permit of the foundation higher education institution will inevitably be revoked. With the proposal, higher education institutions will also be able to establish joint offices. Higher education institutions will also be able to establish campuses, academic units, programs and needed facilities abroad by the decision of the President.