04.07.2026 15:00
The graduation ceremony of Istanbul University's Çapa Faculty of Dentistry was marked by student protests against the rector. During the speech of Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar, graduating students turned their backs to the podium, while parents in the stands showed support for the protest with applause and whistles.
Students of Istanbul University (IU) Faculty of Dentistry at Çapa carried out a striking protest during their graduation ceremony, where they received their diplomas after completing their education. As part of the ceremony program, Istanbul University Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar was invited to the podium and faced an unexpected reaction when he began his speech.
STUDENTS TURN THEIR BACKS, FAMILIES SUPPORT WITH WHISTLES
When Rector Zülfikar took the podium to address the graduates, the newly graduated dentists, wearing their academic gowns, collectively turned their backs in protest. The families who came to watch the ceremony did not remain indifferent to this act of students turning their backs on the rector.
Parents and relatives of the students protested the rector with whistles and loud applause, joining the students' protest. Those moments in the ceremony area were captured on camera second by second.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
The Istanbul University Administrative Board had decided to revoke the diplomas of some individuals, including Ekrem İmamoğlu. Rector Osman Bülent Zülfikar argued that the decision was within the university's authority and based on legal evaluations, stating in his remarks, "When there is an irregularity, if we had ignored them and not revoked them, we would have been negligent in our duty."