Inclusive Approach of Türkiye on Access and Integration of Refugees to Higher Education

Türkiye stands at the forefront of countries that have embraced a considerable number of refugees and asylum-seekers, making it a prominent host for displaced populations worldwide. In recent years, Türkiye has developed a novel and inclusive approach designed to facilitate the access of refugees to higher education. This article endeavours to examine Türkiye’s policy framework and intricate challenges that arise during its implementation, with a keen focus on how top-down policy interventions interact with institutional bureaucracies and the socio-cultural context. The study postulates that while Türkiye boasts a national inclusive policy, the effectiveness and outcome of its implementation lie within the realm of decentralization. The success or failure of the policy hinges on the institutional capacity, willingness of the higher education institutions to accept refugee students and the sociological dynamics between locals and refugee students. For the policy to genuinely thrive, it necessitates addressing institutional disparities and variances among higher education institutions.