25.05.2026 11:51
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan withdrew the decision that revoked the operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University. After the decision, some students were seen celebrating. In a statement from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), it was reported that public interest was considered in line with President Erdoğan's strong sensitivity.
The decision to close Istanbul Bilgi University has been abandoned. According to the decree published with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's signature, it was decided to revoke the Presidential Decree regarding the removal of the operating permit of Istanbul Bilgi University, whose founding foundation had a trustee appointed. Following these developments last night, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) issued a statement on the latest situation.
In the statement from YÖK, it was reminded that the Presidential Decree dated May 25 revoked the "Presidential Decree dated May 21 regarding the removal of the educational operating permit of Istanbul Bilgi University."
“OUR PRESIDENT REASSESSED THE SITUATION TO PREVENT ANY VICTIMIZATION”
The statement noted that the report of the trustee board and YÖK's evaluation on the matter were presented to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and a comprehensive assessment was made by closely monitoring the process regarding the university's financial, administrative, and institutional structure.
The statement used the following expressions: "In line with our President's strong sensitivity regarding the expectations of our youth and their families, it was decided to reassess the process for the public interest, the stability of our higher education system, and to ensure that none of our students experience any victimization, allowing the university to continue its educational activities uninterrupted."
The statement, which indicated that the Presidency has protected the financial structure of Istanbul Bilgi University, also included information that full compliance with all relevant legislation, especially Law No. 2547 on Higher Education, has been ensured, and that the university currently has 22,000 students, 1,100 academic and administrative staff, 1,000 part-time academic staff, interns, and working students.
YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar made the following assessment on the matter:
“The initial process was a legal procedure that needed to be carried out within the framework of the current legislation. However, in line with the submitted reports and current situation assessments, our President did not allow any victimization of our students and, as always, carefully considered the expectations of our students, their families, and university employees.”
STUDENTS CELEBRATED THE DECISION
Following the decision, moments of celebration by some student groups reportedly studying at Bilgi University were shared on social media.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
On May 21, the Official Gazette reported that the operating permit of Istanbul Bilgi University had been revoked.
The decision was met with concern by students. Students who made assessments on the matter through their social media accounts expressed their shock. Meanwhile, students also staged protests within the university.
“WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE WILL DO”
NTV spoke with Bilgi University students, who expressed their uncertainty. Stating that the school was very quiet, the students said no one inside knew what was happening and that they were very sad. A student studying mechatronics noted that the guarantor school was Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University but added, "However, the mechatronics department is not there. So, we don’t know what we will do, no one knows."
With the Official Gazette dated May 25, the decision to revoke the operating permit was withdrawn.
CAN HOLDING HAD TAKEN OVER IN 2019
Istanbul Bilgi University was taken over by Can Holding in 2019. Within the scope of the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Can Holding, 121 companies belonging to the group were seized. In this context, a trustee was also appointed to Istanbul Bilgi University, which was under Can Holding.
With the decision of the Küçükçekmece 9th Civil Court of First Instance, a trustee board was appointed to manage the foundation, and the university's board of trustees was dismissed. The board, consisting of YÖK Supervisory Board Member Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ulusoy, Levent Çetin, and lawyer Mehmet Çiçek, began its duties.
In a statement at that time, the university administration stated that educational activities would continue uninterrupted and announced that the rights of students and employees would not change.