'Pinpoint' appointment finalized: Ali Erbaş appointed following controversial job posting

The appointment process has been completed at Istanbul 29 May University, which had come to the agenda with a faculty job posting that sparked public debate. Following the posting published in October 2025, whose requirements were noted to match those of former Diyanet Affairs President Ali Erbaş exactly, it was learned that Erbaş has been included in the university's academic staff.

The appointment in question became visible with an update made on the university's official website.

In the faculty job posting published by Istanbul 29 May University, it was announced that an academic would be hired with the title of professor for the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the Faculty of Theology.

The specific requirements included in the posting were listed as follows:

The candidate must have received the title of associate professor in the field of History of Religions

Must have scientific studies in this field

Must have experience as a faculty member

Following the publication of the posting, assessments were made that all the qualifications in question overlapped with Ali Erbaş's academic background.

APPOINTMENT APPEARED ON OFFICIAL SITE

Despite the reactions and controversies, the appointment process was concluded. Ali Erbaş's name has been added to the "Academic Staff" section on the official website of Istanbul 29 May University.

In the information provided by the university, it was stated that the personal academic profile belonging to Erbaş would be updated in the coming days.

It was reported that after the posting was reflected in the public eye, some academics within the university reacted to this process. Some faculty members expressed that this step could lead to negative consequences for the reputation of the university and the Center for Islamic Studies operating within it.

It was stated that academics who believe the institution's public perception was damaged during the period Erbaş served as the President of Diyanet Affairs expressed the view that this appointment would also harm the university.

According to the report by Mustafa Bildircin from BirGün, it was recalled that Ali Erbaş left his post as President of Diyanet Affairs with a Presidential Decree dated September 18, 2025.

The report also included the allegation that Erbaş had established contact with the management of Istanbul 29 May University before his term of office expired.