YÖK Report: İmamoğlu’s Transfer “Not in Compliance with Regulations”

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into İmamoğlu’s undergraduate degree following complaints and YÖK’s findings. The report states that the procedures regarding recognition, transfer quotas, announcement periods, and acceptance criteria were not carried out in accordance with YÖK regulations.

İmamoğlu’s Lawyers Defend the Transfer

İmamoğlu’s lawyers insist that his transfer was in line with the regulations at the time. They argue that three criteria for transferring from Girne American University (GAÜ) to Istanbul University were met.

According to the YÖK report, however, the institution where İmamoğlu studied in 1990 was not among the universities recognized by YÖK at the time.

Press Conference by İmamoğlu’s Lawyers

Ahead of İmamoğlu’s testimony, his lawyers held a press conference. Prof. Dr. Adem Sözüer stated that İmamoğlu studied English-language business administration at Girne American University before transferring to Istanbul University’s equivalent program.

Sözüer emphasized that the regulations in place at the time allowed high-achieving students to transfer without requiring an ÖSS exam score. "There was no official document from YÖK or any other institution in 1990 stating that they did not recognize this university," he added.

Pehlivan: “No Special Treatment for İmamoğlu”

Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan dismissed claims that İmamoğlu received special treatment, stating that Istanbul University had publicly announced transfer opportunities in Milliyet newspaper, including for the business administration program.

Pehlivan outlined the three transfer criteria:

1. Applications had to be submitted by September 14, 1990—İmamoğlu applied on August 29.
2. The student had to pass all courses—İmamoğlu met this requirement.
3. A minimum GPA of 60 was required—İmamoğlu had a GPA of 62.5.

Pehlivan explained that a transfer commission reviewed applications and recommended their approval to the university’s administration. On September 12, 1990, Istanbul University’s governing body officially approved the transfers, including İmamoğlu’s. He was enrolled as a second-year student on October 2, 1990.

YÖK’s Findings on the Transfer Process

The YÖK report, which has been added to the investigation file, states that İmamoğlu had studied for two years at University College of Northern Cyprus (UCNC) with a GPA of 2.50. However, the report points out that UCNC was not recognized by YÖK in 1990, and its recognition was only granted in 1993.

Only Eastern Mediterranean University Was Recognized

YÖK cited correspondence from 1988 and 1992 indicating that Eastern Mediterranean University was the only recognized institution in Northern Cyprus at the time. The report concludes that Istanbul University’s business faculty did not follow YÖK’s regulations when approving the transfer.

Lack of Legal Justification

The report raises questions about how Istanbul University determined transfer quotas and why the approval process was completed before the official application deadline. It states that no legal justification was found for these actions.

Ultimately, YÖK determined that Istanbul University’s handling of the transfer process did not comply with its regulations.