26.03.2025 14:31
Serhat Akpınar, the founding rector of the American University of Kyrenia, where Ekrem İmamoğlu studied, spoke about the cancellation of İmamoğlu's diploma. Akpınar stated, "At that time, the equivalency process was undertaken by the Turkish Board of Education. We have a withdrawal process, but there is no horizontal transfer process." He further noted that the horizontal transfer was made as a student of Southeastern University in the USA.
The university diploma obtained by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu 35 years ago has been revoked. While investigations into İmamoğlu's educational background continue, Girne American University (GAÜ) in Northern Cyprus, where he began his higher education, has become the focus of the agenda. In a statement regarding the matter, GAÜ's founder and Democratic Party TRNC Member of Parliament Serhat Akpınar noted that the transfer was made as a student of Southeastern University. Istanbul University, on the other hand, stated in its report that the transfer was made from Eastern Mediterranean University in the TRNC.
"THE YÖDAK WAS NOT ESTABLISHED AT THAT TIME"
Serhat Akpınar pointed out that the incident occurred during a period when the Higher Education Planning, Supervision, Accreditation, and Coordination Board (YÖDAK) had not yet been established. He stated that GAÜ was founded in 1985 by a decision of the Council of Ministers and accepted its first students. Akpınar mentioned that during that time, the equivalency process was undertaken by the Turkish Board of Education and Discipline, and an official named Sevinç Atabay came from the board to initiate GAÜ's inspection process.
COOPERATION WITH SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
He mentioned that they were suggested to establish a cooperation agreement with a university in England or America, and they proceeded with Southeastern University for this process. Akpınar stated, "At that time, YÖK was accepting both the preparatory school and the military deferments of male students," and noted that all students at that time were graduates of Southeastern University.
"THE TRANSFER WAS FROM SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY"
GAÜ Founding Rector Serhat Akpınar explained that during those years, students at universities established in the TRNC exercised their right to horizontal transfer, and not only İmamoğlu but others also made horizontal transfers to different universities. He said, "We have an exit process; there is no horizontal transfer process." Akpınar confirmed that the transfer was made as a student of Southeastern University.
ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY HAD PREPARED A REPORT: THE TRANSFER WAS FROM EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
Istanbul University (İÜ) had prepared an investigation report regarding the revocation of diplomas of 28 individuals, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The report highlighted that students, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, were recorded as having applied for horizontal transfer from the then-unknown University College of Northern Cyprus to Eastern Mediterranean University. The report indicated that some students' names were erased and replaced with new names typed in different fonts.
DIPLOMA INVESTIGATION
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation for "forgery of official documents" based on reports alleging that İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's bachelor's diploma was fake and findings in the report prepared by the Higher Education Council regarding the falsity of his diploma.
As part of the investigation, İmamoğlu had given a statement to the prosecutor's office.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, in a letter sent to Istanbul University regarding the investigation opened against İmamoğlu for the allegation that his university diploma was fake, requested that necessary actions be taken as soon as possible to ensure that the operations and transactions to be established based on İmamoğlu's diploma are not contrary to the law.
In a later statement made by Istanbul University, it was noted that a decision was made to revoke the diplomas of 28 individuals, including İBB Mayor İmamoğlu, on the grounds of "non-existence" and "clear error."