Ege University Staff Association Demands Management Probe Amid Tender Scandal

An investigation by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into public tenders and direct procurement processes at Ege University's revolving fund and purchasing units has resulted in the detention of 27 out of 47 suspects. The probe, based on Court of Accounts (Sayıştay) reports, alleges that these transactions caused approximately 3.1 billion lira in public damage.

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We are following the investigation into revolving fund, purchasing, and tender processes at Ege University with great seriousness. The presumption of innocence and the independence of the judicial process are our fundamental principles. However, the scope of the allegations reflected in the public, the arrest and detention decisions, and the findings in the Court of Accounts reports indicate that the issue cannot be addressed solely at the level of individual criminal responsibility.

The Ege University Staff Association (EGÖDER) expressed strong criticism regarding the exclusion of Ege University's management from the ongoing investigation. In a written statement, EGÖDER emphasized that while respecting the presumption of innocence and judicial independence, the scope of the allegations, arrests, and detention orders suggests the issue extends beyond individual criminal responsibility.

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This scale of process cannot be considered institutionally illuminated without a comprehensive examination of the managerial and oversight responsibility chain of the period.

EGÖDER highlighted Ege University's significant role not only in education and research but also in public health, academic merit, scientific production, and public trust. Therefore, the association argues that the investigation must be comprehensive, evaluating not just purchasing and spending irregularities or the accused individuals, but also the management decisions, authority delegations, internal audits, hospital operations, academic staff policies, and the impact on education and service quality during the relevant period.

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We will follow up to ensure that this sensitive process is carried out completely, without excluding the top-level managerial and oversight responsibility chain of the period.

The association specifically pointed out that the previous rector, Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak's term ended on December 12, 2025, with a new rector assuming office on the same date. EGÖDER insists that such a large-scale process cannot be considered institutionally resolved without a thorough examination of the managerial and oversight responsibilities of that period. They are demanding that the judicial process include all individuals and authorities without prejudice and that the university management initiate an independent administrative review, share its findings, and implement structural measures to prevent recurrence. EGÖDER stated its commitment to monitoring the process to uphold transparency, accountability, merit, academic autonomy, and public responsibility.

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The reputation of Ege University can be protected not by silence, but by the clear defense of the principles of transparency, accountability, merit, academic autonomy, and public responsibility.