Duties, Powers and Responsibilities

Higher education is regulated by Articles 130 and 131 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey and by the Higher Education Law No. 2547. Pursuant to Article 16 of this Law (No. 2547), the academic sub‑department (Anabilim Dalı) is defined as an academic unit that constitutes a department (or division) within the larger department (or faculty), comprises at least one discipline (bilim dalı), and carries out educational, instructional, and practical activities. Decisions regarding the establishment, merger, or closure of an academic sub‑department are made directly by the Executive Board of Higher Education or upon proposals submitted by universities.

The Head of the Academic Sub‑department (Anabilim Dalı Başkanı) is elected by the faculty members and instructors serving in that sub‑department, from among the professors of that sub‑department; in the absence of professors, from among associate professors; in the absence of associate professors, from among assistant professors; and in the absence of assistant professors, from among lecturers. The election results are forwarded to the dean, who makes the appointment within one week. If the number of faculty members or instructors eligible to be appointed as Head of the Academic Sub‑department is at most two, the head is appointed directly by the director of the school, the director of the conservatory, or the dean. Appointments are reported to the Rectorate.

The Academic Sub‑department Board (Anabilim Dalı Kurulu) consists of the heads of the disciplines (bilim dalı başkanları). In cases where the academic sub‑department comprises only one discipline, the Academic Sub‑department Board consists of all faculty members and instructors of that sub‑department. The Board provides its views to the Head of the Academic Sub‑department regarding the planning and implementation of the relevant sub‑department programs.

The regulatory framework and obligations governing the unit’s field of activity include: the Civil Servants Law No. 657; the Higher Education Law No. 2547; the Higher Education Personnel Law No. 2914; the Public Procurement Law No. 4734; the Public Financial Management and Control Law No. 5018; the regulations, statutes, communiqués, decisions, and other legislation in force derived from these laws; the Süleyman Demirel University Education, Instruction and Examination Regulation; and the Higher Education Institutions Student Discipline Regulation.