ISTANBUL, 6 February, 2021 (TON): The President of Turkey ordered to establish two new departments in the country’s prestigious university rocked by students’ protests.

The decision published in the Gazette, saying law and communications faculties are to be launched in Bogazici University.

Critics say the establishment of new departments would allow the presidentially appointed rector to staff them with government loyalists. Student groups involved in the protests tweeted against the new decision, saying it was an “occupation” attempt against academic freedoms.

For the past few weeks the faculty and the students led mostly peaceful protests against the new rector, Melih Bulu who had links to President Erdogan’s ruling party. They are calling for Bulu’s resignation and for the university to be allowed to elect its own president.

The government top diplomats called the students are provoked by the extremists groups, although the President called the students protesting as extremists.

The situation gained international attention and officials from the U.S. and EU criticized the country’s handling of the situation and passing homophobic comments.