Turkey university fake diploma scandal erupts amid widespread academic fraud

After former Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s diploma was revoked for falsified documents, investigations revealed that dozens of Turkish university staff hold forged degrees. Hundreds of professors and associate professors were found with counterfeit diplomas, leading the University Interboard (ÜAK) to cancel titles and exposing irregularities in university governance, including rectors awarding titles and salaries despite the fraud.

Specific cases include Şırnak University’s revocation of associate professor Ceren Avcı’s title for plagiarism and other misconduct, and similar actions against Sedat Çelik. The scandal has drawn criticism of the Higher Education Council (YÖK) and the delayed appointment process for the Higher Education Planning, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK), highlighting systemic corruption in Turkey’s higher‑education system.