Controversial diploma allegations regarding Hakan Fidan had been on the agenda: First statement from YÖK comes days later

Following allegations made by Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Namık Tan regarding Hakan Fidan's educational background in response to an official reply from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), YÖK has published a written statement on the matter.

The statement emphasized that there were no irregularities in the undergraduate and equivalency processes of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

“NO IRREGULARITY IN FİDAN’S GRADUATION”

In the statement made by YÖK, it was noted that “There are baseless allegations in some media outlets and social media platforms regarding the higher education of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan,” and it was stated that Fidan began his undergraduate education in the field of “Government and Politics” in 1994.

According to the statement, Fidan graduated in 1997 from the US-based higher education institution “University of Maryland University College” located in Germany. The Council reminded that undergraduate study durations may vary according to the internal legislation of different countries.

YÖK stated that Fidan completed the necessary credits and applied for equivalency, and that he began his master's degree in the International Relations department at Bilkent University while the application process was ongoing.

The statement included the following expressions:

“Mr. Fidan’s equivalency procedures were concluded positively, and an Undergraduate Diploma Equivalency Certificate in the field of ‘Political Science’ was issued with the decision of the Higher Education Executive Board dated January 15, 1998. There is no irregularity in Mr. Hakan Fidan’s graduation and equivalency processes.”

YÖK also reminded that according to the Graduate Education and Training Regulation that came into effect in 1996, it was possible to start a master's degree without obtaining equivalency, but graduation could not take place until the equivalency procedures were completed.

CHP İstanbul MP Namık Tan made a new statement on his social media account following the response from YÖK.

In his post, Tan used the expressions “Hakan Fidan confession from YÖK: 3-year undergraduate degree, admission to master's without obtaining equivalency!” and claimed that Fidan completed a three-year distance education program and started his master's degree at Bilkent University without receiving an equivalency certificate.

Tan said, “Official records show that Hakan Fidan completed only a three-year distance and even open-education undergraduate program. He started his master's education at Bilkent University without obtaining YÖK equivalency.”

“TRANSCRIPT AND DOCUMENTS MUST BE DISCLOSED”

In his statement, Tan noted that YÖK’s response left some questions unanswered and made the following assessment:

“According to YÖK’s statement, Fidan was enrolled in an undergraduate program for only three years, between 1994 and 1997. While a standard undergraduate education in Turkey lasts four years, it is unclear how this three-year education is considered equivalent to a full undergraduate diploma.”

Tan stated that information regarding the program’s credits, course contents, and academic structure should be shared with the public, adding, “Disclosing this transcript data is no longer just an administrative preference, but a necessity for the public conscience.”

“EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE GIVEN AFTER MASTER’S DEGREE”

CHP’s Tan reminded that although the equivalency certificate issued by YÖK was dated 1998, Fidan continued his master's education between 1997 and 1999, saying, “This situation clearly shows that Fidan started his master's degree without obtaining equivalency. Which regulation allows this?”

Tan argued that the statement made revealed that “privilege was preferred over merit, and silence over transparency.”

Namık Tan stated that the issue is not a personal debate but a matter concerning the institutional legitimacy of the state, saying, “We do not see this process as a biography debate, but as a test concerning the legitimacy of the state. We call on Hakan Fidan to take initiative to clear up the doubts regarding his education.”

Tan concluded his statement with the words, “The reputation of the Republic is protected by rules applied equally to everyone.”