Eğitim Felsefesi ve Sosyolojisi Dergisi
Kısa Adı: JEPS | ISSN (Online): 2757-7600 | DOI: 10.29329/jeps

Araştırma Makalesi    |    Açık Erişim
Eğitim Felsefesi ve Sosyolojisi Dergisi 2025, Clt. 6(1) 1-30

Specialization as a Solution to the Growing Challenges of Large Universities in Türkiye

Seval Bircan Yılmaz Yıldız

ss. 1 - 30   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/jeps.2025.1332.1

Yayın Tarihi: Haziran 30, 2025  |   Görüntüleme Sayısı: 0/0   |   İndirilme Sayısı: 0/0

PDF İndir

Özet

Universities play a significant role in education, research, and the development of society. Over the last few decades, they have experienced quite a bit of change due to rapid growth and more diversity, especially in places like Türkiye. The rise in the number of universities and students in Türkiye since the '80s has led to serious challenges in management and education quality. This article looks at the issues that big universities deal with and suggests that specialized universities might be a good way to tackle these issues. Researchers gathered insights through interviews with 38 people, including university leaders, teachers, and higher education experts. The interviews revealed that larger universities often struggle with too much red tape, limiting academic freedom and slowing decision-making, ultimately impacting how well students interact with their instructors. The findings show the difficulties large universities face when it comes to keeping up with educational standards and meeting the needs of specialized programs. On the other hand, specialized universities, with their smaller and more flexible setups, could help break through some of the challenges faced by larger institutions. Those interviewed mentioned that specialized universities usually offer a more personalized approach, encourage stronger academic relationships, and are better at responding to educational and research needs. This article suggests that moving towards “specialized universities” might help boost efficiency in these institutions, enhance education quality, and keep pace with the changing education scene. In the end, it seems specialized universities could be a solid answer to the problems that large universities are experiencing, leading to more innovative and effective education systems.

Anaktar kelimeler: Higher Education, Transition of Universities, Curriculum, Specialized University

Bu makaleye nasıl atıf yapılır

APA 7th edition
Yildiz, S.B.Y. (2025). Specialization as a Solution to the Growing Challenges of Large Universities in Türkiye. Eğitim Felsefesi ve Sosyolojisi Dergisi, 6(1), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.29329/jeps.2025.1332.1

Harvard
Yildiz, S. (2025). Specialization as a Solution to the Growing Challenges of Large Universities in Türkiye. Eğitim Felsefesi ve Sosyolojisi Dergisi, 6(1), pp. 1-30.

Chicago 16th edition
Yildiz, Seval Bircan Yilmaz (2025). "Specialization as a Solution to the Growing Challenges of Large Universities in Türkiye". Eğitim Felsefesi ve Sosyolojisi Dergisi 6 (1):1-30. https://doi.org/10.29329/jeps.2025.1332.1
Kaynakça
  1. Akhmed-Zaki, D., Alimzhanov, Y., & Mussabayev, N. (2019, July 1). Digital enhancement of student-centred learning in universities. EDULEARN19 Proceedings, pp. 7780-7786. https://doi.org/10.21125/EDULEARN.2019.1883 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  2. Altmann, A., Ebersberger, B. (2012). Universities in Change: As a Brief Introduction. In: Altmann, A., Ebersberger, B. (eds) Universities in Change. Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4590-6_1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  3. Amelina, K. E., Minaev, V., & Shchepkin, A. V. (2020). Digital Technologies and Elaboration of Mechanisms for Expert Examination of Scientific and Technical Potential of Universities, International Forum (35). https://doi.org/10.1051/ITMCONF/20203501002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  4. Andrews, R. & Boyne, G.A. (2014). Task complexity, organization size, and administrative intensity: The case of UK universities. Public Administration, (92),656-672.https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12078 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  5. Antoine, A. & Van Langenhove, L. (2019). Global challenges and trends of university governance structures. In C. Zhu & M. Zayim-Kurtay (Eds.), University Governance and Academic Leadership in the EU and China (pp. 233-245). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-7441-5.ch014 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  6. Aydin, O. T. (2015). Current developments and trends in higher education. Journal of Business Economics and Finance, 3(4). [Google Scholar]
  7. Banerjee, M., & Shiva, P. (2014). The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, But to irrigate deserts. Journal of Business and Management, (16)5,85-90. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-16528590 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  8. Bellavista, P. (2007). Large-Scale integrated academic portals. In A. Tatnall (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Portal Technologies and Applications (pp. 538-546). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-59140-989-2.ch091 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  9. Bevis, T. B. (2019). The notion of universities. Palgrave_macMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12434-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  10. Bilsel, Y., Bektas, H. and Tilki, M. (2010), The impact of western physicians on the modernization of Turkish surgery and medicine, 1827–1936. World Journal of Surgery, (34), 2240-2246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-010-0584-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  11. Birler, Ö. (2012). Neoliberalization and Foundation Universities in Turkey. In: İnal, K., Akkaymak, G. (eds) Neoliberal Transformation of Education in Turkey. Palgrave Macmillan’s Postcolonial Studies in Education. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137097811_11 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  12. Bolton, E. C., & Genck, F. H. (1971). Universities and management. The Journal of Higher Education,42(4), 279–291. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221546.1971.11778624 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  13. Çalik, M., Çan, G. (2012). An overview of formal and non-formal health education in Turkey. In: Taylor, N., Quinn, F., Littledyke, M., Coll, R.K. (eds) Health Education in Context. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-876-6_7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  14. Callychurn, D., Cheemontoo, V., Jeewooth, A., & Venkannah, S. (2015). University - SMEs collaboration to support the economic growth: A Mauritian case study, (21), 1-31. University of Mauritius Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.4314/UMRJ.V21I0 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  15. Cevher, E., & Yüksel, H. (2015). In regards to higher education strategy, assessment of educational activities in public universities: the case of Turkey. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, (61),237-253. https://doi.org/10.14689/EJER.2015.61.13 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  16. Dainovskii, A. B. (1978). The specialization of higher-education institutions. Soviet Education,20(7), 73–82. https://doi.org/10.2753/RES1060-9393200773 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  17. Docampo, D., Cram, L. (2015). On the effects of institutional size in university classifications: the case of the shanghai ranking. Scientometrics (102), 1325–1346 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-014-1488-z [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  18. Doğan, N. Ş. (2013). Ortaçağ’da Anadolu’nun Eğitim Mekânları: Selçuklu Medreseleri- Darüşşifalarından Örnekler. Hacettepe Universitesi Egitim Fakultesi Dergisi-Hacettepe University Journal of Education, (28)2, 429-443. [Google Scholar]
  19. Dogramaci, I. (1993). Conflict of interest between centralized and university‐level governing bodies: the Turkish case. Higher Education in Europe, 18(1), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/0379772930180106 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  20. Earnshaw, R. (2017). History and Background: The Development of the Academy and Industry. In: Research and Development in the Academy, Creative Industries and Applications. Springer Briefs in Computer Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54081-8_1. [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  21. Eaton, J. A. (2006). Project management at a university, Proc. SPIE 6271, Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy II, 627105 (27 June 2006). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669722 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  22. Ecker, G. The relationship of institutional size and complexity to faculty autonomy: A reconsideration and caution. Research in Higher Education (11), 295–307. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00975621 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  23. Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. doi: 10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  24. Gök, E. (2016). Martin Trow’un Kaleydoskop’undan Türk yükseköğretim sistemi. Eğitim ve Bilim, (41)184. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2016.3193 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  25. Gu, J., Li, X., Wang, L. (2018). Specialized Higher Education. In: Higher Education in China. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0845-1_5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  26. Gudaityte, D., Butrime, E., & Tuomaite, V. (2017). The expression of the educational competence in the learning environment of the specialized university. 9th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies. Barcelona-Spain, 3-5 July, 2017) https://doi.org/10.21125/EDULEARN.2017.1889 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  27. Guruz, K. (2006). The Development of Private Higher Education in Turkey. International Higher Education, (45). https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.2006.45.7933 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  28. Habibi, N. (2017). Higher education policies and over education in Turkey. European Journal of Higher Education,7(4), 440–449. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568235.2017.1308832 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  29. Hall, J., Binney, W., & Kennedy, W. L. (2006). Effective teaching in Universities are students’ basic needs being satisfied in large classes. The International Journal of Learning, (12)4. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9494/CGP/V12I04/46494 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  30. Hardy, J. A., Weatherford, R. D., Locke, B. D., DePalma, N. H., & D’Iuso, N. T. (2011). meeting the demand for college student concerns in college counseling centers: Evaluating a clinical triage system. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 25(3), 220–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2011.581929 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  31. Heybeli, N. (2009) Sultan Bayezid II Külliyesi: One of the earliest medical schools—founded in 1488. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 467(9)2457-2463. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11999-008-0645-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  32. Kahveci, T., Uygun, Ö., Tekez, E. K., Sevinçli, A., Kılıçarslan, A. G., & Dülger, E. (2012). Evaluation of public strategic planning models for Turkish universities. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. (12)138-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SBSPRO.2012.09.987 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  33. Karataş Acer, E., & Güçlü, N. (2017). An analysis of the expansion of higher education in Turkey using the new institutional theory. Kuram ve Uygulamada Egitim Bilimleri. (17)6, 1911-1933. https://doi.org/10.12738/ESTP.2017.6.0031 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  34. Kesmodel, U. S. (2018). Cross-sectional studies – what are they good for? Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 97(4), 388-393. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13331 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  35. Kreysing, M. (2002). Autonomy, accountability, and organizational complexity in higher education: the Goettingen model of university reform. Journal of Educational Administration. (40)6, 552-560. https://doi.org/10.1108/09578230210446036 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  36. Li, B., Hu, Q., & Wang, Q. (2014). Reflection on the developing of the network courseware of specialized course for engineering college students. Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Education Reform and Modern Management. https://doi.org/10.2991/ERMM-14.2014.80 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  37. Lv, P. (2015). Study on fusion development of general education and specialized course education in universities. Proceedings of the 2022 International Conference on Education Reform and Modern Management. https://doi.org/10.2991/ESSAEME-15.2015.92 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  38. Lyalyakin, V. P. (2022). History of training and production centers of agricultural universities. Tehničeskij Servis Mašin. https://doi.org/10.22314/2618-8287-2022-60-4-149-157 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  39. Ma, X., Zhang, Z., Yan, R., Pan, H., & Li, C. (2017). A study on the governance structure of modern universities. Proceedings of the 2017 International Conference on Education, Economics and Management Research (ICEEMR 2017) https://doi.org/10.2991/ICEEMR-17.2017.18 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  40. McNay, I. (2002). Governance and Decision–making in Smaller Colleges. Higher Education Quarterly, 56(3), 303–315. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2273.00220 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  41. Maher, E. P. & Kourik, L. J. (2009). Preparing for specialized accreditation in a multi-campus university. In Proceedings of the First International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-8111-82-1, pages 347-350. htpps://doi.org/10.5220/0001971903470350 [Google Scholar]
  42. Maringe, F., Sing, N. (2014). Teaching large classes in an increasingly internationalizing higher education environment: pedagogical, quality and equity issues. Higher Education (67), 761–782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-013-9710-0 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  43. Marton, F. (1982). Specialized training versus general education in higher education: A qualitative approach to the study of learning in higher education. Higher Education in Europe,7(2), 5–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/0379772820070202 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  44. McNay, I. (2002). Governance and Decision–making in Smaller Colleges. Higher Education Quarterly. (56)3, 303-315. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2273.00220 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  45. Melnychenko, R., & Sorochynska, O. (2018). Organization of specialized training and environmental activities of students in eastern European countries. https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-571-27-5_30 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  46. Moodley, S. (2016). Student overload at university: Large class teaching challenges. South African Journal of Higher Education, (29)3. https://doi.org/10.20853/29-3-487 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  47. Moore, S., & Shangraw, R. (2011). Managing risk and uncertainty in large-scale university research projects. Research Management Review. (18)2, 59-78 [Google Scholar]
  48. Mukerjee, S. (2014). Agility: A crucial capability for universities in times of disruptive change and innovation. Australian Universities' Review, 56(1), 56-60. [Google Scholar]
  49. Ntanos, A. St., & Boulouta, K. (2012). Bureaucracy-bureaupathology in education and administration. International Journal of Strategic Change Management, (4)2, 129-138. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSCM.2012.046502 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  50. Olsen, J., Christensen, K., Murray, J., Ekbom, A. (2010). The Cross-Sectional Study. In: An Introduction to Epidemiology for Health Professionals. Springer Series on Epidemiology and Public Health, (1). Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1497-2_11 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  51. Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications. [Google Scholar]
  52. Perkin, H. (2007). History of Universities. In: Forest, J.J.F., Altbach, P.G. (eds) International Handbook of Higher Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education, (18). Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4012-2_10 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  53. Reynolds, S., Lusch, R. F., Cross, D., & Donovan, N. (2009). Higher education administration in a dynamic system. The Journal of Thought. (44)91. https://doi.org/10.2307/JTHOUGHT.44.1-2.91 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  54. Salehi, H., Yunus, M., & Salehi, Z. (2012). The role of universities in achieving national and international priorities: a closer look at education, research and innovation. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. (6)9, 281-286 [Google Scholar]
  55. Salter, B., & Tapper, T. (2002). The external pressures on the internal governance of universities. Higher Education Quarterly. (56)3, 245-256. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2273.00216 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  56. Schubert, T., Yang, G. Institutional change and the optimal size of universities. Scientometrics (108), 1129–1153 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-016-2015-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  57. Setia, M. S. (2023). Cross-Sectional Studies. In A. L. Nichols & J. Edlund (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Research Methods and Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences: Volume 1: Building a Program of Research (pp. 269–291). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Google Scholar]
  58. Sheregi, F. E., & Ridiger, A. V. (2016). Small innovative enterprises of universities. American Journal of Applied Sciences, (13)3, 307-320. https://doi.org/10.3844/AJASSP.2016.307.320 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  59. Sobol, J. J. (2014). Cross‐Sectional Research Design. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118517383.WBECCJ017 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  60. Soyşekerci, S., & Erturgut, R. (2010). Anatomy of a period: Structural transformation in the Turkish higher education system between 1981 and 2009. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. (2)2, 3472-3487. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SBSPRO.2010.03.538 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  61. Sporn, B. (2001). Building adaptive universities: emerging organisational forms based on experiences of European and US universities. Tertiary Education and Management, 7(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/13583883.2001.9967046 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  62. Vogel, A., & Kaghan, W. N. (2001). Bureaucrats, brokers, and the entrepreneurial university. Organization, 8(2), 358-364. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508401082019 (Original work published 2001) [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  63. Yalcintan, M. C., & Thornley, A. (2007). Globalisation, higher education, and urban growth coalitions: Turkey’s foundation universities and the case of Koç University in Istanbul. Environment and Planning: Government and Policy, 25(6), 822-843. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0580 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  64. Zaman, K. (2015). Quality guidelines for good governance in higher education across the globe. Humanities and Social Sciences, (1)1, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PSRB.2016.01.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  65. Zuleika, P., & Legiran, L. (2022). Cross-sectional study as research design in medicine. Archives of The Medicine and Case Reports, 3(2), 256-259. https://doi.org/10.37275/amcr.v3i2.193 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
Meta
Clt. 6 (1)
Download
Metric
Geçimş
Benzer

Cilt 6 Sayı 1

Haziran 2025

Tüm makaleleler
Copyright © 2025 Eğitim Felsefesi ve Sosyolojisi Dergisi.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. CC BY-NC-ND
All elements of this website have been created using the BOQ™ - Intelligent Webverse System.