16.2.5. University principles on corruption and bribery

As a public state university, Middle East Technical University (METU) operates under binding national legislation, statutory penal codes, and strict internal audit control mechanisms that establish clear principles and zero-tolerance commitments against organized crime, corruption, and bribery. All academic and administrative staff at METU are legally classified as public servants (devlet memuru) and are directly governed by the Turkish Penal Code (Law No. 5237), the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Law (Law No. 3628), the State Officials Law (Law No. 657), the Public Financial Management and Control Law (Law No. 5018), and the Inter-University Board (ÜAK) Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Guideline.

1. Statutory Penal Framework on Corruption and Bribery

• Turkish Penal Code (Law No. 5237, Article 252): Codifies corruption and bribery as severe crimes against the state. Any public official engaged in bribery or corruption is subject to statutory imprisonment ranging from 4 to 16 years. https://diabgm.adalet.gov.tr/Resimler/SayfaDokuman/522020154452OECDmevzu...

• Declaration of Assets, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Law (Law No. 3628): Mandates that all METU academic and administrative employees periodically declare their assets and property. The law imposes a legal obligation on staff to report any instances of illicit enrichment, corruption, or bribery.
  https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuatmetin/1.5.3628.pdf

• State Officials Law (Law No. 657): Regulates non-faculty administrative staff, setting mandatory ethical conduct, prohibition of accepting gifts or unauthorized benefits, and public governance standards.
  https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuatmetin/1.5.657.pdf

2. Financial Internal Audit Control & Academic Ethics Framework

• Public Financial Management and Control Law (Law No. 5018 - Internal Audit): METU operates an institutional Internal Audit System (İç Denetim) under Law No. 5018. The university's financial transactions, procurement, and resource allocations are continuously audited to guarantee strict legal compliance and prevent financial malfeasance or corruption.
  https://ms.hmb.gov.tr/uploads/2019/09/5018_Sayili_Kanun.pdf

• Academic Research & Publication Ethics: Academic faculty members are strictly bound by the Inter-University Board (ÜAK) Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Guideline, governing research integrity, financial grant transparency, and academic conduct. https://www.uak.gov.tr/documents/documents/68838b0a08031.pdf