A Statement from the TASSA Board of Directors
Our hearts are heavy with the series of sad news from our home country.
Turkey is suffering from terror attacks by multiple hate groups. Innocent people have lost their lives or have been seriously injured. The whole country is in a state of anxiety. In these dire times, it is crucial to be united as a nation and to uphold the fundamental values of a democratic society in our defiance and to not crumble under the aura of fear and hatred the terrorist attacks aim to establish.
As TASSA, we abhor views that defend, praise, or encourage violence, hatred, and hostility. But we also strongly believe in the value of freedom of expression, especially in the context of academic freedom, as stipulated by the Turkish Constitution and universal democratic values. Granted, these are not normal times. However, it pains us to see academics jailed and expelled from universities as this kind of pressure undermines the culture of intellectual exchange – a cornerstone in finding democratic solutions.
TASSA believes that scholarship prospers with academic freedom. As the past MIT President Charles Vest said, “…most economists believe 60 percent of the economic growth in the United States is due to innovation and research at the Universities.” Hence, universities are and ought to be the engines of economic growth. We strongly believe that this is only achievable when full academic freedom exists.
Academic scholarship is an invaluable asset and losing it will undoubtedly lead to social and economic stagnation and will derail the ambitious goals of the Turkish Republic in becoming a science and technology driven economic powerhouse.
We hope our beloved country, our universities, and the Turkish academia will return to a healthy state soon. Turkey’s future prosperity strongly depends on how quickly we achieve normalcy. As such, we should all work together and listen to each other and be more forgiving during these difficult times.
Best,
TASSA Board of Directors