November 4, 2025

Some media outlets and social media platforms have recently published unfounded allegations regarding the higher education background of Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.

Mr. Fidan began his undergraduate education in Government and Politics in 1994 and graduated in 1997 from the University of Maryland University College, a U.S.-based higher education institution located in Germany. As is well known, the duration of undergraduate education may vary depending on the internal regulations and legislation of each country.

Having successfully completed the required credits and met other conditions, Mr. Fidan applied to the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) for degree equivalency. While the equivalency process was ongoing, he began his master’s degree in International Relations at Bilkent University.

During his graduate studies, Mr. Fidan’s equivalency application to the Council was approved, and on January 15, 1998, the Executive Board of the Council of Higher Education issued him a Bachelor’s Degree Equivalency Certificate in Political Science.

There is no irregularity in Mr. Hakan Fidan’s graduation or equivalency procedures. According to the Regulation on Graduate Education and Training published in the Official Gazette in 1996, it is permissible to begin and continue graduate studies without having yet received equivalency. However, candidates whose equivalency process is approved are required to submit their equivalency certificate before completing their graduate education and to successfully complete their studies in order to be eligible to receive a diploma.