- Universities will contribute to the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process through their scientific and academic expertise

- CoHE President Özvar: “We are the children of a nation that turns pain into healing. We can ease the pain of the past only by building a better future together.”

- “Our universities are places of brotherhood where our young people from across the country come together in the same classrooms and move toward the future together”

August 31, 2026

The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) has called on universities to conduct scientific and academic studies in line with the “Terror-Free Türkiye” objective set forth by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In a correspondence signed by CoHE President Erol Özvar and sent to all universities, it was stated that Türkiye is going through a historic process aimed at strengthening the peace and security of its people, national unity and solidarity, brotherhood, and social cohesion.

The correspondence emphasized the importance of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” objective in terms of completely eliminating terrorism and violence from the country, enabling citizens to look to the future in peace and security, and further advancing Türkiye’s human, economic, and social potential.

- Universities to contribute to the process through their scientific expertise

The “Terror-Free Türkiye” process was discussed at the meeting of the CoHE General Assembly held on August 27, 2026, where the importance of universities contributing to the process through their scientific knowledge, research capacity, and academic expertise was highlighted.

The correspondence sent to universities stated that, alongside their missions in education and training, scientific publication, and research, universities are important institutions for strengthening shared values and promoting social solidarity through their contributions to society. The correspondence stated:

“As is well known, education and training, history, culture, and our values that will carry our region into the future constitute common ground on which we can all agree. In this context, addressing the goal of a ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ from its social, economic, legal, political, cultural, and security dimensions with contributions from different disciplines; conducting academic research and studies; organizing panels, conferences, and workshops; and sharing the resulting scientific assessments with the public will make a significant contribution to the process.

Considering the importance of the ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ objective for our country’s future, strengthening an environment of social peace and security, and consolidating our national unity and solidarity, I strongly request that our universities contribute to this process through scientific and academic studies in line with their own academic resources, expertise, and priorities.”

Özvar: “We are the children of a nation that turns pain into healing”

In his remarks on the issue, CoHE President Erol Özvar pointed to the great suffering Türkiye has experienced in the past due to terrorism and said that the “Terror-Free Türkiye” objective is of great importance for the country’s future and its young people. Özvar said, “We are the children of a nation that turns pain into healing. We can ease the pain we have experienced only by building a better future together.”

Emphasizing that the “Terror-Free Türkiye” objective will help unlock the country’s potential, Özvar said, “A Terror-Free Türkiye means ensuring that our country’s strength is not wasted on terrorism and directing all our resources and energy toward science, education, production, development, and the future of our young people. Our country’s future is bright. We have confidence in our future and in our young people.”

“Our universities are places that foster unity and brotherhood”

Stating that universities have an important responsibility in strengthening social peace and brotherhood, Özvar highlighted universities as places of brotherhood. Özvar said:

“Millions of young people from all corners of our country come together at our universities, where they learn, conduct research, create, and prepare for life together. Our universities are places of brotherhood where differences are seen as a source of richness, where our young people meet in the same classrooms, contribute to the future of the same country, and move toward tomorrow together.”

Emphasizing that universities also have important responsibilities in this process, Özvar stressed that universities should go beyond merely supporting the process and contribute to building lasting social peace through knowledge, science, and research. He said:

“We commemorate with mercy, gratitude, and loyalty our revered martyrs who sacrificed their lives so that we may live in peace and security in these lands, and we extend our respect to their cherished families and our gratitude to our heroic veterans. The sacred memory of our martyrs will always remain a trust entrusted to our nation.”