RECTORS NOT PREJUDICED AGAINST KURDISH DEPARTMENTS – SABAH

Turkish Daily News
Sept 4 2007

University rectors have no objection to a proposal by Yusuf Halacoðlu,
the chairman of Turkish History Institution, with respect to the
necessity of opening Kurdish and Armenian research departments in
universities, reported the daily Sabah yesterday.

Gazi University rector, Professor Kadri Yamac said that he was not
prejudiced against the formation of neither a Kurdish nor Armenian
department. He added that instead of establishing new departments,
Kurdish and Armenian subjects could be included in the existing
departments. "We have five departments in our university. Departments
with masters and PhD degree programs. I do not know whether such
broad structuring is needed concerning the issue. If a consensus is
achieved regarding that, universities should work more on the issue,
we will evaluate it," Yamac said.

Istanbul Technical University rector, Professor Faruk Karadoðan said
it was necessary to establish groups, which would enable historians
to cooperate regarding the Armenian and Kurdish issues.

"Yet, our expertise area is mainly confined to the realm of
engineering rather than history. Kurdish and Armenian departments
could be established in order to overcome the misunderstandings. I
support the idea that regardless of the subject matter, it is useful
to establish departments provided that they will carry out scientific
research," said Karadoðan, reported the daily.

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