Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History

Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History (AYK) is a public legal entity established on 17 August 1983 by Law No. 2876, based on Article 134 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye. The Institution was created to conduct scientific research on the Turkish language, history, culture and the works of Atatürk, to support activities in these fields and to promote Turkish culture. It encompasses the Atatürk Research Center (ATAM), the Turkish Language Association (TDK), the Turkish Historical Society (TTK), and the Atatürk Culture Center (AKM). Operating under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, AYK aims to encourage original knowledge production in the social and human sciences and to contribute to the national culture.

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The Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History was established on 17 August 1983 to preserve, evaluate, promote and transmit the cultural and natural heritage of the Turkish nation, spanning thousands of years. Established by Law No. 2876 under Article 134 of the Constitution, the Institution integrated the Turkish Historical Society founded in 1931 and the Turkish Language Association founded in 1932, adding the Atatürk Research Center and the Atatürk Culture Center in 1983. These four institutions operate under the umbrella of the Higher Institution with separate public legal personalities, under the supervision, control and coordination of AYK.

To enhance the scientific activities of these institutions, Decree-Law No. 664 on the Organization and Duties of the Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History was issued on 2 November 2011. This regulation defined the Institution’s organizational structure as comprising the High Advisory Council, the Board of Management, the Presidency and service units, and established academic structures for the Scientific Councils and subordinate commissions of the constituent institutions. The duties and powers of the Higher Institution were further reorganized by Decree-Law No. 703 dated 2 July 2018.

The duties and powers of the Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History are defined in Article 3 of Decree-Law No. 664. The Institution’s mission is to conduct and facilitate original scientific research on the Turkish language, history, culture and Atatürk and his works within the framework of the social sciences; its vision is to promote and develop Turkish culture by encouraging scientific research in the social sciences. The fundamental duties of AYK are as follows:

• To conduct and support scientific research on the Turkish language, history, culture and the works of Atatürk within the framework of the social and human sciences; to organize national and international events such as seminars, symposia and conferences; to publish works; and to support research activities.
• To create environments for original knowledge production in the social and human sciences; to establish an integrated information system; to support and coordinate research and development activities.
• To conduct, support and promote scientific research in areas contributing to the national culture.
• To translate, publish and print classical scientific and intellectual works of the national culture and other cultures into modern Turkish.
• To monitor the scientific works and publications of national and international institutions within its scope and to translate and publish those deemed necessary.
• To carry out other duties assigned by legislation.

In fulfillment of its duties, AYK may cooperate with higher education institutions, research centers and international organizations, undertake joint projects and request necessary information from public institutions and natural and legal persons. The Institution collects and uses information while preserving the confidentiality of data classified as commercial secrets, excluding information related to national defense and security.

The organizational structure of the Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History is regulated by Article 4 of Decree-Law No. 664. The Institution consists of the High Advisory Council, the Board of Management, the Presidency, its four constituent institutions (ATAM, TDK, TTK, AKM), and service units. The Presidency comprises the President of the Higher Institution, two Deputy Presidents, and four service units: the Directorate of Scientific Studies Coordination, the Directorate of Strategy Development, the Directorate of Human Resources and Support Services, and the Legal Advisory Office. AYK has its central headquarters in Ankara and no regional offices.

As of December 2023, 73 of the 187 allocated positions at AYK are filled, representing 39.04% utilization. Personnel consist of the President, Deputy Presidents, experts, assistant experts and administrative staff. Additionally, five of the 12 contractual information technology specialist positions obtained from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance are occupied; one physician and one technician are employed under Article 4/B of Law No. 657; and 35 permanent workers serve under Temporary Article 23 of Decree-Law No. 375. Of these workers, 14 are assigned to affiliated institutions and two work directly at the Higher Institution.

AYK has more than 150 academics serving as members of its Scientific Councils, which shape scientific activities and policies on language, history and culture through their councils and subcommittees. The Institution operates under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and is under the supervision of the Presidency of Türkiye. The Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the Presidency of Strategy and Budget, and universities maintain relationships with AYK regarding budgeting, performance and scientific activities.

As of June 2023, the Presidency of AYK is held by Professor Dr. Derya Örs. An academic specialist in Persian Language and Literature, she has conducted research on Iranian history, manuscript works and translations of the Masnavi. She previously served as President of AYK from 2012 to 2019, as Ambassador to Tehran from 2019 to 2023, and was reappointed President of AYK in 2023.

The Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History is subject to Law No. 5018 on Public Financial Management and Control and is a special budgetary public administration. Its revenue sources are defined in Article 26 of Decree-Law No. 664 as follows: allocations from the general budget, donations and bequests, income generated by the Higher Institution and its affiliated centers, and other revenues. In 2023, AYK’s revenues amounted to 66,645,602 TL, of which 66,412,000 TL came from treasury support, 7,023 TL from enterprise and property income, and 226,579 TL from other sources.

Under the 2023 Central Government Budget Law, an appropriation of 50,583,000 TL was allocated to AYK. Through additions and transfers during the year, the final appropriation reached 68,594,011 TL. Of this, 96.17% (65,966,959.55 TL) was utilized. Budget expenditures, classified by economic category, are as follows:

• Personnel Expenditures: 41,084,504 TL (actual spending: 40,982,872.72 TL, 99.75%).
• State Premiums for Social Security: 7,003,000 TL (actual spending: 6,510,657.73 TL, 92.97%).
• Goods and Services Procurement Expenditures: 13,644,507 TL (actual spending: 13,002,617.97 TL, 95.30%).
• Current Transfers: 2,906,000 TL (actual spending: 1,827,069.12 TL, 62.87%).
• Capital Expenditures: 3,956,000 TL (actual spending: 3,643,742.01 TL, 92.11%).

Operating revenue amounted to 66,643,709.78 TL and operating expenditures to 69,687,705.49 TL, resulting in a negative operating result of 3,043,995.71 TL in 2023. Accounting procedures are conducted in accordance with the Central Government Accounting Regulation within the Treasury and Finance Ministry’s State Accounting Information System; payment orders are recorded in the Integrated Public Financial Management Information System. Financial reports are submitted to the Court of Accounts, and audits are carried out based on documents such as balance sheets and operating results statements.

The Atatürk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History is subject to Law No. 6085 on the Court of Accounts and international audit standards. The Court of Accounts audited AYK’s 2023 financial reports and statements. The audit assessed the accuracy, reliability and compliance of the financial reports with applicable laws and obtained sufficient audit evidence. The Court of Accounts concluded that AYK’s 2023 financial reports contain accurate and reliable information in all material respects.

The Institution’s internal control system is structured in accordance with Law No. 5018 and the Public Internal Control Standards Notice. The control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring standards have been complied with. An internal audit unit exists, and one internal auditor was active in 2023. The internal control system is evaluated at least once annually, and the results are reported to the Internal Control Monitoring and Guidance Council.

AYK conducts activities to carry out scientific research on the Turkish language, history, culture and the works of Atatürk; to organize seminars, symposia and conferences; to produce publications; and to contribute to the national culture. The Scientific Councils of its four constituent institutions, involving more than 150 academics, guide policies on language, history and culture. The Institution collaborates with higher education institutions, research centers and international organizations to develop joint projects and monitors national and international publications to carry out translation and publishing activities.

AYK plans its activities using a strategic planning and performance-based budgeting system in accordance with Law No. 5018; strategic plans and activity reports are prepared in compliance with legislation. The Institution has adopted as its vision the promotion and development of Turkish culture and has established a structure that supports original knowledge production in the social sciences.