July 15, 2025

Following the July 15 coup attempt, the Council of Higher Education's efforts against academic structures abroad continue with determination.

While universities affiliated with the terrorist organization FETÖ/PDY are closed in Türkiye, the Council of Higher Education's practice of not recognizing universities abroad that are found to be affiliated with FETÖ/PDY and not granting equivalence to graduates of these schools continues meticulously after the July 15 treacherous coup attempt.

Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education, stated that students and their families who want to study abroad should be very careful and said, "Young people and their families can learn about the higher education institutions that are not recognized through the e-Government Gateway, the official website of the Council or by visiting the Council in person. Making a choice without inquiring about recognition may cause irreversible problems."

It is emphasized that the equivalence applications of graduates of some foreign higher education institutions, which are not recognized by the Council of Higher Education due to their affiliation with FETÖ/PDY, are flatly rejected.

“Equivalency requests are flatly rejected”

According to the decision of the Council of Higher Education, some universities are completely unrecognized due to their direct institutional ties with the FETÖ/PDY terrorist organization. These universities are among the centers where the organization trains personnel, provides financial resources and conducts propaganda activities on a global scale. With the decisions of the Executive Board and General Assembly of the Council of Higher Education in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2024, it was stated that the recognition and equivalence requests of those who have studied in higher education institutions abroad that are affiliated with FETÖ/PDY and applied for equivalence, or those who have previously applied but whose procedures are currently in the evaluation and examination phase, have been rejected and these institutions are not recognized.

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 are not recognized.

In some universities, only institutes, centers or chairs with FETÖ ties are not recognized. The activities of these structures are usually carried out under the umbrella of the host university, but are managed by academics directly linked to the organization in terms of content and staff. There are 13 institutes, centers and chairs with 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, or the Centro de Estudios de Turquía at Universidad del Rosario in Colombia. The Master of Peace and Conflict Studies and Master of Theological Studies programs at the University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel University College in Canada are also included.

“Equivalence applications of unrecognized universities are rejected”

It is emphasized that the equivalence applications of graduates of some foreign higher education institutions that are not recognized by the Council of Higher Education due to their affiliation with FETÖ/PDY are rejected.

Before enrolling in a higher education institution abroad, applicants can check the recognition status of these institutions by accessing the “Council of Higher Education - University Recognition Inquiry” service at www.turkiye.gov.tr.

In a statement from the Council of Higher Education, it was emphasized that students must ensure the recognition status of foreign universities before pursuing education abroad. The Council warned that "equivalence cannot be granted for diplomas obtained from unrecognized higher education institutions.” It was noted that when institutional information is not accessible via the e-Government portal, students should submit a written inquiry to YÖK before making any commitments. "To ensure that the higher education process is secure, of high quality, and internationally recognized, it is crucial that our citizens are well-informed and guided accordingly," the statement read. "Families also have an important role to play in preventing any missteps that could jeopardize the future of our young people."

Current Blacklist

The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) has published a current blacklist of foreign higher education institutions that it has officially decided not to recognize, along with relevant explanations. The list is available in the “Important Information” section on YÖK’s official website and can be accessed via the following link: https://denklik.yok.gov.tr/.