In the wake of economic challenges, Turkish academics are increasingly seeking opportunities overseas, mirroring a trend previously observed among doctors, Bold Media reported. Zeynep Ardıç, a member of the Academic Solidarity Platform (ADAP) and a faculty member, revealed that approximately 12,000 academics have chosen to relocate abroad due to financial hardships.
Turkey’s Academic Landscape: A Struggle for Survival
Painting a grim picture of academia in Turkey, Ardıç emphasized the profound economic difficulties that scholars are grappling with. “While a robust academic sector is crucial for addressing Turkey’s challenges, the current state of affairs is far from promising,” lamented Ardıç. Despite boasting around 200 universities, Turkey’s academic institutions are struggling to compete on a global scale. With just three universities ranking among the world’s top 500, and a mere fifteen within the top thousand, the country’s higher education sector is grappling with its international standing.
Economic Woes Taking Center Stage for Academics
Economic concerns have come to dominate the discourse among academics. Issues such as meritocracy and workplace bullying, though significant, have taken a back seat to the pressing matter of financial instability. “Academics are truly finding it hard to make ends meet. They’re facing challenges even in meeting basic life expenses,” Ardıç remarked.
Vanishing Attraction of Academia
Ardıç lamented that the allure of academia has been on a downward spiral. She noted a shift from the previous norm where academia was a magnet for top-performing students. “This trend has reversed, and some departments are even struggling to find academics,” said Ardıç. The economic burdens, combined with fears about the future, have diverted academics’ attention from their research and teaching responsibilities.
The Economic Quagmire: Shrinking Buying Power
The stark economic realities are evident in the precipitous decline in academics’ purchasing power. Ardıç shared an alarming statistic – a research assistant who once earned nearly four times the minimum wage in 2015 is now grappling with a salary merely twice that amount. The reduced buying power is rendering even basic necessities a challenge for scholars.
Academic Flight: A Growing Exodus
The repercussions of economic strife extend beyond the domestic realm. Academics’ participation in international conferences and events has dwindled due to financial constraints. “We can’t afford to attend academic events abroad. For instance, I was invited to Germany in October, but I had to decline due to financial limitations,” lamented Ardıç. The inability to participate in these events not only hampers academic progress but also curbs networking opportunities.
A Call for Urgent Reform: Adequate Salaries Key to Retention
Ardıç fervently advocated for immediate reforms in academia, particularly in terms of salaries. “It’s not just about a 5-10% salary increase; it’s about alleviating the financial hardships scholars face,” Ardıç stressed. She proposed that the minimum academic salary should be twice the poverty line, asserting that this change is imperative for revitalizing academia’s appeal.
A Broken Promise: Political Vows and Academic Realities
Amid political promises of change, the plight of academics remains unresolved. Ardıç expressed disappointment that commitments made by politicians, including the former Minister of Labor and Social Security, have not been fulfilled. She underscored the urgency of addressing these concerns, noting that the failure to do so not only jeopardizes the academic sector but also contributes to the brain drain phenomenon.
As Turkey’s academics grapple with economic woes, the future of the nation’s academic landscape hangs in the balance. The push for financial reforms to retain and attract scholarly talent has taken center stage, highlighting the need for urgent action to prevent a continued exodus of academic expertise from the country.
