22.05.2026 11:31
The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) has issued a statement regarding the closed Bilgi University. The statement said, 'Necessary measures are being taken promptly to ensure that educational activities are carried out without interruption.'
The operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University, which has been conducting educational activities since 1996, was officially revoked with the decision published in the Official Gazette.
TRUSTEE PROCESS ENDED WITH CLOSURE
A trustee was appointed last year to the foundation that owns the university. The institution, which came under the umbrella of Can Holding in 2019, was transferred to trustee management following investigations into the holding and the seizure of numerous companies.
By the decision of the Küçükçekmece 9th Civil Court of First Instance, the current board of trustees was removed, and a new management consisting of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ulusoy, Levent Çetin, and lawyer Mehmet Çiçek was appointed.
Throughout the process, statements emphasized that there would be no disruption in students' education and no loss of rights. However, with the final decision published, the university's activities have been completely halted.
YÖK: NECESSARY MEASURES BEING TAKEN URGENTLY
YÖK (Council of Higher Education) issued a statement regarding the closed Istanbul Bilgi University. The written statement included the following expressions:
Following the court appointment of a trustee to the founding foundation of Istanbul Bilgi University, the Presidential Decree to revoke the operating license, as per Article 11 of Law No. 2547, has been published in today's Official Gazette. The Council of Higher Education is urgently taking necessary measures to ensure that our students do not experience any grievances and that educational activities are carried out without interruption.
In addition to our students, necessary procedures will be carried out without allowing any grievances for the administrative and academic staff working at our university. Detailed explanations on the matter will be made in the coming days, and we kindly request that our valued students, their families, and the higher education community follow accurate and up-to-date information regarding the process only through the official communication channels of the Council of Higher Education.
GUARANTOR SCHOOL: MİMAR SİNAN UNIVERSITY
In previous statements, it was stated that Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University was designated as the guarantor university for Bilgi University. During this process, it is anticipated that new student admissions will stop, current students will complete their education under another university's umbrella, and diplomas will be issued by the receiving institution. The process regarding the status of academic and administrative staff is expected to be shaped by YÖK and the new management.
REMZİ SANVER ALSO ARRESTED IN CAN HOLDING OPERATION
Bilgi University had been transferred to Can Holding in 2019. The Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office also conducted an operation against Can Holding on September 11, 2025.
As part of the investigation, those detained faced charges of "establishing a criminal organization," "smuggling," "fraud," and "money laundering."
Within the scope of the investigation, former rector of Bilgi University and President of the Free and Accepted Masons Association, Mehmet Remzi Sanver, along with Mehmet Kenan Tekdağ, Mehmet Sıddık Kaya, Emin Şahin, Nuh Zafer Metin, Serap Özgür, Abdulselam Yıldız, Tuncay Şahin, Adnan Yıldız, Nurettin Paksoy, and Mustafa Şahin were arrested. Kenan Tekdağ was later released under house arrest conditions.