The report he prepared served as the basis for the abolition of Darülfünun and the establishment of Istanbul University. It addressed child-centered pedagogical principles within the educational philosophy and the interaction between schools and society.

Life and Education

Albert Malche was born on 22 February 1876 in Geneva, Switzerland. He came from a French-speaking Jewish family. After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at the University of Geneva, he began his academic career in 1910. In 1912 he was appointed professor at the Chair of Pedagogy at the University of Geneva. He served as secretary of the senate from 1918 to 1920, became a member of the senate in 1927, and was elected president of the University of Geneva Senate in 1930.

Pedagogical Approach

Malche advocated that education should be structured around three fundamental principles:

1. The child is the product of a cumulative past and should not be viewed as a blank slate,
2. The educational process must be activity-based,
3. The child must be educated in interaction with their environment.

In accordance with these principles, he established practice schools in Switzerland and contributed to teacher training programs.

Appointment Process in Türkiye

In 1931, Albert Malche was invited to Türkiye by the Turkish government to identify structural problems at Darülfünun. He arrived in Türkiye in early 1932 and conducted observations on curricula, staff structure, administrative functioning, buildings, and equipment. He completed his report on 29 May 1932.

The report noted that teaching methods were inconsistent with contemporary scientific developments, language proficiency levels were low, and academic publications were insufficient. It also emphasized the need for reform in the university’s administrative structure.

University Reform and Participation

Malche participated in the Darülfünun Reform Commission convened in 1933 and became involved in the establishment process of Istanbul University. As part of his assigned duties within the commission, he contributed to the recruitment of academic staff from abroad. During this process, he acted as an intermediary in the appointment of Jewish academics who had fled the Nazi regime in Germany.

Malche stated that Istanbul University should primarily consist of Turkish academics, but he noted that the appointment process was conducted by the Ministry of National Education.

Later Life and Death

Albert Malche returned to Switzerland in 1934 and became involved in politics. From 1940 to 1941 he served as a member and president of the Swiss Confederation’s Council of States. In 1951 and 1953 he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in assisting German refugee academics. He died in Switzerland on 29 December 1956.