Şifa University Report – Academic Solidarity e.V.

Şifa University–Izmir/Turkey

Summary

Şifa University was established in 2010 and specialized in the field of health. The University was founded in Izmir City Center with the transformation of Şifa Hospitals that have been in service for 30 years. The University was established by the Foundation of Turkey’s Physicians (Türkiye Tabipler Vakfı, TÜTAV) with the motto as “Turkey’s Health University”. Şifa University Hospitals with a total capacity of 800 beds in 13 health center in Izmir, Turkey was one of the largest healthcare groups. They provided health care to about 6,000 patients a day. Şifa University had three faculties: Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry and Faculty of Health Sciences. Şifa University was producing the highest standards of service in every field. When it was closed in July 2016; there were approximately 2,200 employees; 322 of whom were academicians and 395 medical doctors. Beside the workers, 2,663 students were being studied.

As a Part of discriminations against opposition, in December 2015, 11 branches of Şifa University Hospitals were closed with the decision of Higher Education Council. The Social Security Institution also canceled the reimbursement agreement with the Şifa University Hospitals, left the university in an economic struggle. Nearly 2,000 university employees lost their jobs. In March 2016, the President, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ateş, was arrested on a false accusation. In May 2016 the Board of Trustee of the Foundation of Turkey’s Physicians was dismissed with a court decision. The new Board of Trustee changed the administration of university.

Şifa University was shut down with the Emergency Decree issued on 23 July 2016. The university founders and employees were detained and some were arrested. Un-arrested university workers were also unemployed and sentenced to civilian death. All the assets of the university, the fees paid by the students for the next year and the receivables of the employees were also usurped. University buildings were plundered, Central Education Building became the Provincial Center of the ruling party AKP. Some of the university staff left the country. The students were victimized in all aspects and some of them could not continue their education. Murat Okumuş, a university employee, was kidnapped in June 2017 and he was never heard from again.

Information about the University

Şifa University was a boutique university which was specialized about Health Sciences area in Turkey. Şifa means “healing” in Turkish and the university took this name as a legend. The University had been erected on the root of Şifa Hospital, which had 30 years of background and became a university since 2010. The University was established by the Foundation of Turkey’s Physicians (Türkiye Tabipler Vakfı, TÜTAV) with the motto as “Turkey’s Health University”. The University had 13 health centers and 800 hospital beds in Izmir and it was one of Turkey’s largest healthcare groups. These hospitals were giving health services to about 6,000 patients per day as being one of the well-equipped hospitals in Turkey. Due to its high standards in Faculty of Medicine and other faculties, it was preferred by the best-scored students. It had approximately 2,200 workers including 322 academicians, 395 medical doctors and 2,663 students. In particular, from the beginning Şifa University had a relatively high rate of international students. To give an overview, Şifa University had three faculties: School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, and School of Health Sciences. There were also additional departments as Institute of Medical Sciences, Vocational School of Health Services, Continuing education Center and Foreign Languages Centrum.

The Campus of Şifa University

Şifa University School of Medicine

The remarkable features of the University:

The Şifa University was affiliated to Erasmus Exchange Program and within this program was doing student exchange. The University actively contributed to TÜBİTAK research programs and received project supports. Accredited and audited by YÖK at every stage. Şifa University Bornova Research Hospital was one of the six hospitals with JCI accreditation in Turkey and it was one of the best universities according to the best student -to-staff ratios in Turkey.^[1]

Within the university, there were student Clubs such as Scientific Research Society, Ecology and Nature Club, Music Club, Community Volunteers Club, Physiotherapy and Active Life Club. In March 2015, the International Medical Student Congress were organized by the Şifa University Scientific Research Club in collaboration with SUBAT 1 hosted an innovative scientific program with oral and poster presentations by students, lectures from professors, and exciting workshops.^[2]

The exiting of “White Uniform Ceremony in Şifa University

Pressures and Violations against the University before July 15, 2016

In Turkey, after the Investigation about the Corruption and Bribery Organization of Erdogan’s Government, dated December 2017, to all institutions linked with the Gülen Movement, as well as Şifa University was made to intense pressure and inhibitions. The preventions of Government became increasingly intense, and at the end of 2015, they had some new illegal practices against the universities. They have shut down 11 branches of the Şifa University Hospitals with an unlawful decision of Higher Education Council (YÖK). In December 12, 2015, by order of the Izmir Public Prosecutor’s Office, as part of the witch-hunt against the Gulen Movement, the police have conducted raids on nine hospitals of the Şifa University for the purpose of shutting down the hospitals. This operation against the Şifa University Hospitals coincided with the anniversary of the Bribery Operation against Erdoğan Circle in 17 December 2013.In addition, the Social Security Institution (SGK) canceled the reimbursement contract with the University Hospitals and left the university in an economically difficult situation. Due to reduced patient admissions, some branches of the hospital had to stop their services. Additionally, the Government did not allow the hospital to repay their debts by selling their private property.^[3] Nearly 2000 persons lost their jobs because of the branches of University Hospitals were closed.

The employees protest the closing 11 Hospitals of Şifa University

Erdoğan’s Government tried to impose the pressure policies on the targeted institutions with some accusations. They tried to produce evidence of crime with some ridiculous claims. The implemented plan was “first slandering these institutions through the media, then supposedly accepting these news reports and using these courts to control these institutions”. The government-led media produced some ridiculous defamation against Professor Dr. Mehmet Ateş, the President of Şifa University, and after an unattractive police investigation the local court arrested him. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ates, who is a pioneering cardiac surgeon in Turkey, was jailed about two months without a valid reason.^[4]

As of May 2016, under the Government’s guidance, the courts began to appoint a new board of trustees to the targeted universities. A court in Izmir dismissed the Board of Trustee for the Foundation of Turkey’s Physicians and appointed a new Board for the Foundation.^[5] After that, the new Trustee Board dismissed the Trustee Board of University and the administration of university.^[6]

The President of Şifa Üniversity was arrested.

Following July 15; unjust treatment & the current status of senior executives

On 23 July 2016, following the failed coup attempt on 15 July, 15 foundation universities, including the Şifa University, were closed and their assets were confiscated by the Decree-Law #667 based on the State of Emergency Law.^[7] After the Şifa University Education Building was seized, it was transformed into the Izmir Provincial Center of the ruling Party (AKP).

With this decree, all academics and other employees who works in these universities were banned from working in public institutions and most of them could not find jobs in the private sector. The majority of them were excluded from health insurance coverage. The Government also canceled their passports within the same month; blocked bank accounts most of them. Many of their family members were fired from the public and private sector jobs. After the closure of universities, employees’ passports were canceled and they were prevented from leaving the country legally and seeking job abroad.

Many of the academicians and physicians working at Şifa University were issued an arrest warrant.^[8] All academics were forced to leave the country, some of them are living Turkey as a fugitive and many of them were imprisoned. The ex-President Professor Ates was detained again on July 18 2016 as a result of Erdogan’s class risk policy, although he opposed the coup attempt.^[9] After the university was closed, the attacks continued at the same speed. The founders of the foundation and everyone who supported the University as a charity service were investigated and many of them were arrested. Among the arrests were several prominent businessmen in Izmir.^[10]

Şifa University and founder of the Foundation of Turkey’s Physicians faced several degenerated and unlawful charges. One of the founders of the Foundation, M.A., when they could not be found, they tried to capture his son instead of him.^[11] Professor Mustafa Cüneyt Hoşcoşkun was among the founders of the Foundation forty years ago and was appointed as President of Ege University by Erdoğan in 2016. Professor Hoşcoşkun faced a public lynch campaign because of this reason. He was expelled from the public service by YÖK and a warrant was issued.^[12]

On 20 April 2017, 40 people were detained in an operation targeting Şifa University employees. It was considered a crime to work at the Şifa University and to serve at the University Foundation. They punished on the workers basis of this. Some of the lawsuits against the Board of Trustee of Foundation and Board of Trustee of University, and employees of the University are ongoing.^[13],^[14]

Murat Okumuş, 40, who was working as an accountant at Şifa University Hospital, was kidnapped on 16 June 2017 in İzmir by people believed to be from Turkish National Intelligence (MIT). Murat Okumus told his father that he was suspected of being followed in the days before the abduction. Six people, who approached to Okumuş with two white cars in a crowded area of İzmir, forcibly took Okumuş into a car and abducted. Eyewitnesses then told the family that uniformed police officers who called to the scene said “the kidnappers belonged to the counter-terrorism department”. In Turkey, dozens of people were forcibly missed last four years and is believed to have been abducted by their MIT. The kidnappings are not investigated and covered by official authorities. Some of the kidnappers were handed over to the police after being tortured for a long time, but many people could not hear from them despite the years passed. The Turkish Government did not give any explanation and did not take any steps.^[15],^[16],^[17]