A critical evaluation of state, science and university: Public-university-industry cooperation in Turkey

The study provides a critical evaluations on the Turkey Public-University-Industry Collaboration (PUIC) (2015-2018). In this study, the emergence of universities and the evolution of university-industry relations are analyzed within the historical process. With the Industrial Revolution, the bourgeoisie used the scientific research, education and physical infrastructure of universities in the maintenance and development of production. After the world wars, universities became an important instrument in the economic development of countries. Various problems have emerged over time in these relations between the state, bourgeoisie and universities. In order to improve relations and solve problems, the structure of universities have been changed by the efforts of the state and the bourgeoisie. As a result of these changes, universities have become more and more like companies. Various criticisms have been made against this situation from the Industrial Revolution to the present day. Since 1980 and afterwards, with the increasing impact of economic and political changes, the commercialization of universities has spread across the world. Turkey has also been affected by these changes experienced by the world. The plan that constitutes the subject of the study is a conclusion of this effect. In the study, written references such as laws, plans, reports, scientific studies, etc. regulating university-industry relations are examined. In analyzing the PUIC plan and other sources, concepts such as academic capitalism and entrepreneurial university, and studies that directly or indirectly address the relations between the university, industry and the state are utilized. As a result of the study, objectives have been identified in the plan that will lead to deepening of existing problems of universities and further commercialization of universities. The increased involvement of the state in the functioning of universities in achieving the objectives in the PUIC plan causes problems in the freedom and autonomy of universities. Keywords: Public-University-Industry Cooperation, University-Industry Cooperation, Academic Capitalism, Ideological Apparatus