YÖK bans equivalence for 41 higher education institutions

According to a written statement from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), while universities affiliated with the terrorist organization FETÖ/PDY have been shut down domestically, the practice of not recognizing universities abroad identified as having ties to FETÖ/PDY and not granting equivalence to graduates from these schools, following the treacherous coup attempt of July 15th, continues unabated. YÖK President Erol Özvar emphasized that students and their families wishing to study abroad must be extremely cautious, saying, "Our young people and their families can learn about higher education institutions that have not been granted equivalence, that is, those that are not recognized, through e-Government, the Council of Higher Education's website, or by visiting our institution in person. Making a choice without checking their recognition status could lead to irreversible problems."

According to a decision by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), some universities are not recognized due to their direct institutional ties to the FETÖ/PDY terrorist organization. These universities are among the centers where the organization trains staff, provides financial resources, and conducts propaganda activities on a global scale. Through decisions of the Executive Board and General Assembly taken in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2024, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) rejects the recognition and equivalence applications of those who have studied at higher education institutions abroad affiliated with FETÖ/PDY and have applied for equivalence, or those who have previously applied but are still in the evaluation and examination phase, and does not recognize these institutions.

BLACKLISTED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

In this context, 41 higher education institutions, including universities, institutes, and chairs operating in the US, Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Indonesia, Georgia, Iraq, Cambodia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Kosovo, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, and Turkmenistan, have been derecognized. At some universities, only institutes, centers, or chairs identified as having ties to FETÖ are recognized. These structures generally operate under the umbrella of the host university, but their content and staff are managed by academics directly affiliated with the organization. Thirteen institutes, centers, and chairs hold this status. These include the Gülen Institute at the University of Houston in the US, the Research Chair in Islamic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue at Deakin University in Australia, and the Centro de Estudios de Turquía at the Universidad del Rosario in Colombia. Programs such as the Master of Peace and Conflict Studies and the Master of Theological Studies offered at the University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel University College in Canada are also included in this scope.

The current list of overseas higher education institutions that the Council of Higher Education has decided not to recognize, along with related explanations, is published on the official website. The list can be accessed under the important information section at https://denklik.yok.gov.tr/.

UAV

Reporter: News Center