Necessity for Reforming Turkish Higher Education System and Possibility of Governance of State Universities by the Board of Trustees

Abstract

Based on the views of the senior administrators, the aim of this study is to present the challenges of the higher education system in Turkey and to analyze the possibility of governance of state universities by the board of trustees. Using in-depth interview technique, this qualitative study was carried out with the participation of twelve administrators, including three members from Executive Committee of the Turkish Board of Higher Education (BHE) as well as nine current/past rectors or vice-rectors at state universities. Results of the study show that structures such as academic senate and university executive boards do not sufficiently fulfill their function, rectors are quite powerful at universities, audits are not effective at universities, universities are not accountable to the public, and the election of rectors by the faculty should be abolished due to the serious problems it causes. As for the possibility of governing state universities by establishing the board of trustees, the majority of participants are of the view that it would be successful at state universities with check and balances in place, nonetheless the others stated that it would bring new problems at the state universities due to cultural and political concerns.