“Vakif Universities” in Turkey: Some Problems and Prospects

AbstractVakif universities in Turkey are established and run by some private groups,called as “vakifs”,may also be named as the “revolving funds” in terms of financial aspects and being “voluntary” and “non-profit” organizations.They are included within the university system,but,both organizationally and administratively,they have some differences.Vakif universities in Turkey have been established to meet some of the needs in education. In this small study we discussed the place of these institutions within the regular system of higher education, to illustrate their significance and some of their problems in terms of organization,administration and the other aspects related to the general system.These institutions are not “special” or “private” universities in their general,or “known”senses.They are more or less,somehow, “original” institutions in Turkish higher education.Naturally,they have been experiencing various problems since their establishment.Some of the problems and issues they have been faced are mostly related to the other problems and issues within the formal higher education, as well as secondary education and the others;such as the;population growth and financial aspects and demands. In addition,the new and existing legal and practical rules and practices have not been good and functional enough to meet the the needs within the system. So,it seems quite clear that, first, it must be understood that these are and have to be higher education instutitions different from the “formal” and “traditional” ones.Our experienses as well as observations and studies illustrate that there is a need to look at the “vakif universities”, their problems and their prospects seriously.Only then they would be able to meet the needs and fulfill their functions in a better way.In this respect,their organizations,administrations and their “academic freedom” may be some of the “main”topics to start with