The newly appointed head of the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK), Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın said that they were determined to use their authority against those who abused the system.

Speaking to the TAK news agency, the new chairman of the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK), Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın said that YÖDAK was determined to use its authority and power against those abusing the system.

Hocanın’s statements came amid continued investigations and arrests in relation to the ongoing fake diploma scandal.

He said that there was a need for a new online system that would allow YÖDAK to supervise higher education more effectively thus eliminating the crisis of trust in diplomas issued by universities in the country.

The head of YÖDAK said that efforts were already underway to introduce a similar system currently being used by Türkiye’s Higher Education Council, also known as YÖK.

He predicted that the system, along with its data, would be up and running within 3-4 months and graduates would also be included in the system.

Explaining that with the implementation of the system, they would be able to quickly identify those who complete a 4-year university degree in less than 4 years and conduct more effective audits as they access data, Prof. Dr. Hocanın emphasized that rebuilding trust takes time, but they will manage the process with sensitivity.

Drawing attention to the issue of “fake diplomas” that has engulfed the higher education sector, Hocanın said, “A diploma obtained without meeting the criteria, but falsely portrayed as having met them, without fulfilling academic qualifications, is not fake but invalid and should be revoked.”