Namık Tan exposes contradictions: A confession-like response from YÖK to the parliamentary question regarding Hakan Fidan's diploma!

CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Namık Tan, has made new statements following the response received to the parliamentary question he submitted approximately two months ago regarding Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s undergraduate education, equivalency process, and admission requirements to Bilkent University.

In a post on his social media account, Tan stated that according to the response from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), it was indicated that Fidan was enrolled in an undergraduate program for only three years between 1994 and 1997. Reminding that undergraduate education in Turkey normally lasts four years, Tan asked, “But how can Hakan Fidan’s 3-year undergraduate education be considered equivalent to a full undergraduate diploma?”

"DID HE START HIS MASTER'S DEGREE WITHOUT OBTAINING UNDERGRADUATE EQUIVALENCY?"

CHP's Tan emphasized that no information was provided regarding the curriculum, course content, and academic scope of the program in question, and stressed that these matters should be disclosed to the public.

Furthermore, noting that while it was stated that Fidan pursued a master's degree at Bilkent University between 1997 and 1999, the YÖK equivalency certificate is dated 1998, he posed the following question:

“In this case, did Hakan Fidan begin his master's education without obtaining undergraduate equivalency? What regulation could allow for such a situation?”

CALL TO HAKAN FİDAN

Stating that the response received “created new question marks instead of dispelling doubts,” Tan expressed that the principles of merit and transparency have been undermined.

“We do not view this process as a biography debate, but as a test concerning the legitimacy of the state and the public conscience,” said Namık Tan, calling on Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to make a statement to clear up the doubts in the public eye.

YÖK’ten HAKAN FİDAN İTİRAFI ??????

“3 yıllık Lisans, denklik almadan Yüksek Lisansa kabul!”

Kuşkularımızda ne yazık ki haklıymışız. Resmi kayıtlar gösteriyor ki Hakan Fidan, yalnızca 3 yıllık uzaktan ve hatta açık öğretim veren bir lisans programını tamamlamış ve YÖK denkliği… https://t.co/wyRBxdZUSG pic.twitter.com/ZISxueuhxs

— Namık Tan (@NamikTan) November 2, 2025

The full text of Namık Tan's statement is as follows:

"A HAKAN FİDAN CONFESSION from YÖK

'3-year undergraduate degree, admission to Master's without equivalency!'

Unfortunately, we were right in our suspicions. Official records show that Hakan Fidan completed only a 3-year distance and even open-education undergraduate program and began his master's education at Bilkent University without obtaining YÖK equivalency!!!

Approximately 2 months ago, we submitted a comprehensive parliamentary question to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in order to clear up the serious question marks in the public eye regarding Foreign Minister Mr. Hakan Fidan's undergraduate education, equivalency process, and admission requirements to Bilkent University.

In this parliamentary question, we pointed out that the educational backgrounds of those serving in the highest offices of the state must be clear, leaving no room for doubt, as even the slightest ambiguity is a matter of institutional reputation.

We drew attention to the necessity of resolving doubts regarding the content of the undergraduate education allegedly received from an institution providing distance and even open education, the inconsistencies in the document presented as a diploma, and the criteria by which the Council of Higher Education granted equivalency; we submitted the matter to the attention of the executive branch through the Supreme Assembly for all these questions to be answered.

A response was finally given to our parliamentary question. Although this response came after months of silence, most of our questions were left unanswered. Conversely, even the limited information shared unfortunately reveals that we were not at all wrong in our suspicions.

According to the Council of Higher Education's statement, Mr. Fidan was enrolled in an undergraduate program for only 3 years, between 1994 and 1997.

But how can Hakan Fidan's 3-year undergraduate education be considered equivalent to a full undergraduate diploma when a standard undergraduate education in Turkey lasts 4 years?

It remains unclear how many credits the program in question covered, which courses it consisted of, and with what kind of academic content it was conducted. Yet, in our parliamentary question, we specifically requested that the transcript and relevant academic documents be shared with the public to clarify these matters.

Considering that Mr. Fidan completed his undergraduate education in only 3 years, the disclosure of this transcript data is no longer just an administrative preference, but a necessity in terms of public conscience and institutional transparency.

Moreover, the response text states that Fidan pursued a master's degree at Bilkent University between 1997 and 1999. However, the equivalency certificate issued by YÖK is dated 1998.

This situation clearly shows that Fidan began his master's education without obtaining undergraduate equivalency.

What regulation, what privilege could allow for such a situation?

The response given to our parliamentary question not only revealed the validity of our suspicions but also gave rise to new questions that need to be answered.

We are facing an approach where privilege is preferred over merit, and silence over transparency.

This issue clearly shows how the principles of merit, equality, and transparency in the institutional structure of the state have been eroded.

The Foreign Ministry is one of the most deep-rooted institutions of this country; it derives its strength not from privileges, but from knowledge, competence, and seriousness.

The reputation and survival of the Republic are protected not by exceptions granted to individuals, but by rules applied equally to everyone.

We do not view this process as a biography debate, but as a test concerning the legitimacy of the state and the public conscience.

We call on Hakan Fidan to take initiative to clear up these suspicions regarding his education. We will continue to follow this cautionary matter in any case."

News Source: 12punto