Academics from the Aegean region react to Istanbul University's diploma cancellation decision

The Istanbul University Board of Directors' decision to cancel the diplomas of 28 graduates, citing irregularities in lateral transfers that occurred in 1990, has sparked harsh reactions in the academic world. Among those affected by the diploma cancellation decision is Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

"A LEGAL SCANDAL THAT HARMS ACADEMIC FREEDOM"

Prof. Dr. Ömer Lütfi Değirmenci, President of the Aegean Faculty Members Association (EGÖDER), stated that this decision endangers the independence of universities, saying, "Such a practice harms academic freedom and is incompatible with the fundamental principles of law. Universities must act independently of political pressure; otherwise, academic credibility will be lost."

POLITICAL CONTEXT AND TIMING DEBATES

The fact that the decision was taken before the primary election to be held by the CHP on March 23, 2025, has strengthened claims that the process is a political intervention. While Ekrem İmamoğlu is expected to be a presidential candidate in this election, the timing of the step taken by Istanbul University was found to be significant by academics.

LEGAL DIMENSION AND VIOLATION OF VESTED RIGHTS

Academics and legal experts emphasize that the lateral transfers made 35 years ago were the responsibility of the university administration at the time, and that punishing today's graduates is unlawful. EGÖDER warned that this situation threatens not only individuals but the entire education system, stating, "If this decision can be taken today, similar practices could be brought to the agenda for other graduates tomorrow."

SOCIAL IMPACTS AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF ACADEMIA

EGÖDER stated that this decision also threatens social peace and emphasized that academic institutions must be independent of political interventions. The statement expressed that universities should focus on science and education, and that political decisions harm the academic world.

CALL FOR RESPECT FOR THE LAW

Finally, the academics invited the political will to act in accordance with the universal principles of law and emphasized that the independence of the education system must be protected. EGÖDER reacted to the decision with the words, "Academia must be above politics. It is unacceptable for universities to be turned into a tool of pressure."

The full text of the press release by the Aegean Faculty Members Association (EGÖDER) Board of Directors is as follows:

The Istanbul University Board of Directors, with a decision taken on March 18, 2025, on the 110th anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory, decided to cancel both the lateral transfer procedures and the diplomas of 28 people, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who had graduated from the university and received their diplomas, on the grounds that they had made irregular lateral transfers to the university in 1990, as well as the lateral transfer procedures of 10 people who had previously been dismissed from the university.

As is known, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu is the person who will participate as a candidate in the primary election that the CHP will hold with all its members on March 23, 2025, to determine its presidential candidate, and who will likely be the CHP's presidential candidate in the next upcoming elections. He was elected Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for the second time and by a large margin of votes. Among those whose diplomas were cancelled are business people who hold senior management positions in important companies in our country, as well as a professor who is still serving at the university. Of course, no one is exempt from investigation, trial, and punishment, but punishing the rights holders 35 years after the application in a process where the administration is the sole responsible party is a situation that cannot be explained by any legal theory.

As EGÖDER, we evaluate this decision taken by the Istanbul University Board of Directors as a legal absurdity, and we believe that the Board of Directors of our country's first and most deep-rooted university has signed this decision precisely in line with the expectations of the political power and for political reasons. We think and see that with this decision, academia has unfortunately been made a tool of politics and will lead to irreparable grievances. As EGÖDER, we evaluate the decision in question as an act not only against Ekrem İmamoğlu or the academic world, but actually against the entire society, and we think that its repercussions will further strain society and further damage the already problematic peaceful environment of our country.

On the other hand, with this decision, we see that the honor of our universities and academia has once again been tainted by political interests, that ethics, morality, and trust have been allowed to be trampled in the eyes of society, and under these conditions, we see that no vested right in our country can be under guarantee anymore, and we consider it our duty to share with the public that we feel deep sadness because of all these.

As we conclude our press release, as the Aegean Faculty Members Association, we once again invite the political will to remain only within the political sphere and to act in accordance with the law and universal principles.