The Mathematics of Life, Is Boğaziçi Dreaming? (Part 3):

When Boğaziçi University took over the 108-year-old academic legacy of Robert College (1863), it was 1971.

To understand the spirit of this university, which has been at the forefront of academic education in Turkey for years, it is necessary to briefly touch upon its ‘memory’ that has been shaped over time.

ROBERT COLLEGE

Founded in 1863 as the first American school outside the United States, the college initially operated under a missionary spirit and Christian values in its educational philosophy, but gradually evolved toward a secular education model.

The quality of its education and the significant roles its graduates assumed in the Ottoman bureaucracy and intellectual life earned it the respect of Ottoman authorities.

In 1908, Robert College established its first student council. This step by the school administration towards student participation was influenced by the declaration of the Second Constitutional Era in the Ottoman Empire (1908) and the emergence of a more liberal political atmosphere, as well as parallel political developments.

The first Student Council aimed to develop leadership and responsibility by offering students the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making processes concerning their own issues and the school community. Thus, the first step was taken towards making the school environment more democratic, inclusive and student-centred.

Between 1914 and 1918, despite the Ottoman Empire's position as an ally of Germany against Britain and the United States during the war, Robert College remained open and continued its educational activities.

Witnessing the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the institution continued to be a multicultural and intellectual centre for students of different identities.

With the proclamation of the Republic in 1923, Robert College underwent fundamental changes in its educational policies. The institution's missionary activities were largely restricted, and its educational approach was brought into line with the principles of secularism and national education of the Republic of Turkey.

Following 1923, Robert College maintained its status as an institution of high academic achievement and continued to strengthen its position until 1971, parallel to Turkey's process of opening up to the West and modernisation.

Source: ChatGPT (OpenAI)

(Data includes estimated analyses based on archives of the Republic of Turkey, Robert College graduation records, academic publications, and secondary sources.)

Year 1971

Robert College, which had been providing university-level education since the 1950s, became Boğaziçi University in 1971.

That year, while Turkey was trying to find its way amid military coups and ideological conflicts, Boğaziçi University emerged under its new name. During this period, it sought to build a new identity that was critical, participatory, and pluralistic, based on the ideals of academic autonomy and education at international standards. While officially integrating with the state, it never compromised its tradition of intellectual freedom!

The 1980s

Despite the restrictions imposed by the coup d'état of 12 September, the University did not compromise on academic freedom. In 1982, when all universities were centralised under the Higher Education Council (YÖK) regulations, Boğaziçi managed to preserve its tradition.

During this period:

-Turkey's first Computer Engineering programme was launched (1981).

-The Kandilli Observatory became an important player in the international seismic network.

-Nearly half of the TÜBİTAK Science Awards were awarded to Boğaziçi University.

1990s-2000s

With the end of the Cold War, Turkey was going through a period of frequent coalition governments and political instability. One of the most critical events of the period was the 28 February 1997 Postmodern Coup.

While Turkey was going through a complex and challenging period in the 1990s, Boğaziçi University became both an ambassador for Turkey in scientific diplomacy and began to emerge on the global stage.

By signing the first Erasmus protocols, it became a sister campus with Sorbonne and Berkeley. It never relinquished its leadership in the number of publications in the SCI index. During those years, Industrial Engineering graduates joined Apple and Intel in Silicon Valley.

Throughout all these years, Boğaziçi's rise demonstrates that it is not based on luck, but on a strong will.

The greatest indicator of its success is the rapidly increasing number of publications over the years, which rose from 108 in 1992 to 201 in 2000.

According to the 2000 Academic Performance Report:

Bogazici University is the benchmark institution that comes to mind when discussing ‘academic success’ in Turkish higher education. This status has been built over 50 years through the consistent application of principles such as admitting qualified students, fostering a research culture aligned with international standards, and maintaining institutional autonomy. (Source: YÖK, TÜBİTAK-ULAKBIM data)

What happened after 2000?

The increase in the number of publications continued after 2000.

Between 2000 and 2003, WOS publications increased by 7.5 times

Total publications increased by 6.9 times

Average annual growth was 8-10%

How did this growth reflect in Boğaziçi University's global ranking after 2012? Let's take a look!

Between 2000 and 2023, Boğaziçi achieved an average growth rate of 8-10%, with total publications increasing by 6.9 times, but its global ranking began to decline rapidly in 2015.

So the question is:

“Why is Boğaziçi’s international visibility declining despite its increasing publications?”

This question actually touches on a fundamental reality of global higher education.

The quantitative growth of an educational institution that moves away from a democratic environment does not translate into qualitative superiority.

With the weakening of academic freedom, the decline in creativity and innovation, the drop in the quality of academic publications, the loss of qualified academics and students, and the weakening of student participation and relations with civil society, it is impossible for the university not to decline in international rankings.

Boğaziçi University has not only been one of Turkey's most established academic institutions but has also held a special position for many years as a symbol of free thought, critical academia, and institutional autonomy. However, administrative appointments, the transformation of the academic structure, the exclusion of students from decision-making processes, and the weakening of institutional identity in recent years have led to a temporary slowdown in academic performance.

This situation has also had measurable negative effects on the university's reputation at the local and global levels.

Nevertheless, I must emphasise that

The temporary setback Boğaziçi is currently facing will eventually be overcome, and the university will rebuild its free and autonomous structure in the global academic competition environment. In doing so, it will not only strengthen its own identity but also enhance the potential for democratisation within Turkey's higher education system.

I dedicate this article to all academics and students fighting for the free academic future of Boğaziçi University.