Turkiye's Istanbul University annuls Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's diploma
Turkiye's Istanbul University has annulled Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's diploma, citing irregularities with Council of Higher Education regulations and threatening his chances of running in the 2028 presidential election.
The university said on Tuesday that 38 people, including Istanbul's mayor, had irregularly transferred to its Management Faculty's English-language programme in 1990.
It added that 10 of those with the irregularity had their transfer annulled, and the degrees of 28 graduates, including Imamoglu, 'will be withdrawn and cancelled on the grounds of … obvious error'.
Imamoglu slammed the move as 'unlawful' and promised to fight the decision in court.
'They [the university] do not have the authority to make such a decision. The authority lies solely with the Board of Directors of the Faculty of Business Administration.
'The days when those who made this decision will be held accountable before history and justice are near. The march of our nation, thirsty for justice, law and democracy, cannot be stopped.'
Murat Emir, a lawmaker from Imamoglu's Republican People's Party, said the decision 'dealt a heavy blow to our democracy'.
Musavat Dervisoglu, the opposition Good Party chairman, said the annulment was 'beyond purging a political rival'.
2028 election
The ruling could hurt Imamoglu's plans to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 election and came days before the opposition was expected to select Imamoglu as its presidential candidate.
Under the Turkish Constitution, presidential candidates must have a higher education degree.
Imamoglu, currently in his second term as the mayor of Istanbul, is the subject of multiple investigations and cases.
The vocal opponent of Erdogan in January slammed what he called 'harassment' after leaving an Istanbul court for questioning as part of an open investigation on his criticism of the city's public prosecutor.
In 2022, Imamoglu was sentenced to two years and seven months in jail and banned from political activities for 'insulting' members of Turkiye's High Election Council, a sentence that Imamoglu has appealed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
29-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Georgetown DC students boost Arabic skills, cultural knowledge with debate workshops in Doha
Tribune News Network Doha A group of Arabic heritage learners from Georgetown University's Washington, DC, campus recently completed an immersive academic and cultural visit to Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), culminating in their participation in a university-level Arabic debate competition hosted by Qatar University. The week-long exchange, aligned with Georgetown's commitment to multilingual and cross-cultural learning, offered the visiting students a chance to deepen their Arabic fluency while engaging with regional peers on critical issues. As part of their preparation, the team took part in five days of intensive debate workshops at GU-Q led by Dr. Seerwan Hariry, assistant teaching professor of Arabic. The sessions focused on the fundamentals of Arabic debating, including mock debates on timely topics such as environmental taxes and university admissions policies. Through these simulations, students practiced speaking formally in Arabic and refined their critical thinking skills. For Shady Makhlouf, an International Politics major (SFS 2025) studying in the United States, the trip was an incredible learning experience. 'The National debate competition we took part in was very special, as we combined teams from both campuses to form four teams. Although our campuses are thousands of miles apart, it felt as though we were competing as one university,' he said. His classmate Adelina Stulen (GU-Q'26), added: 'I could never imagine myself competing in Arabic debates, so it was certainly a new and challenging experience - but the energy and support of our Georgetown team made that day exciting for me!' Beyond the classroom, students had a chance to see how Arabic is used across Qatar.'We explored some of Qatar's most iconic institutions — from Al Jazeera to the Qatar National Museum, Qatar University, Qatar National Library, QF Headquarters, and many other places,' explained Dr. Hariry. One of the highlights was an exclusive tour of the Al Jazeera Media Network headquarters in Doha, where students observed live news production in both English and Arabic. The behind-the-scenes experience made a lasting impression on the students, who regularly practice their Arabic by watching excerpts from the media network, among other Liu, (SFS '28), who is studying Comparative Regional Studies in DC shared:'Seeing the actual set and the place that produces the Arabic media I use to learn was a great experience.' For Yinzhe Liu (SFS '28), the experience exposed her to a new career possibility in news: 'Witnessing live newsroom interaction and backstage operations taught me a lot,' she said. According to Dr. Hariry, the exchange and site visits helped students move beyond the classroom and into real-world application of the Arabic language, while engaging with fellow enthusiasts across continents. 'The students were delighted to host their DC peers and support a growing culture of collaboration between campuses,' he said. Shady agreed, saying 'The students we met were so kind and welcoming. I made new friends and reconnected with old friends that had visited the DC campus on past exchanges.' Although the Georgetown team did not place in the final rounds of the debate tournament, the experience of competing in Arabic against native speakers left a lasting impact. Students returned home with improved fluency, stronger debate skills, and greater cultural confidence—an experience that will continue to shape their academic and professional goals. The initiative underscores Georgetown's dedication to fostering intercultural dialogue and providing platforms for global learning across its campuses. As GU-Q celebrates its 20th anniversary, programs like this highlight the university's vision for producing ethically grounded, globally minded graduates.
Qatar Tribune
27-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Canada at ‘critical moment,' King Charles says in parliament speech
PA Media/dpa Ottawa Britain's King Charles III has warned Canada is facing a 'critical moment' in its history, with the world a 'more dangerous and uncertain place' in a speech to open the nation's parliament. Charles delivered an address written by the Canadian government that said Prime Minister Mark Carney's administration would bond with 'reliable trading partners and allies,' a move that follows US President Donald Trump's economic tactics. Many Canadians have seen the king's two-day visit to Ottawa as a symbol of support for the nation that has faced the unwanted attention of Trump's trade war against his neighbour and threats to annex Canada. Charles told the parliament 'self-determination' was among a number of values Canada held dear and the government was 'determined to protect.' In only the second state opening of parliament speech delivered by a monarch, the king told the politicians gathered in the Senate Building the crown was a 'symbol of unity for Canada.' After highlighting worrying periods from the past, Charles said: 'Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect.' 'The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada's relationships with partners are also changing,' he said. 'We must be clear-eyed: the world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War. Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.' The king's two-day visit ended later on Tuesday and he began his final day with a carriage procession with the queen through the streets of the capital Ottawa. He said in his speech lasting 26 minutes delivered in English and French: 'The prime minister and the president of the United States, for example, have begun defining a new economic and security relationship between Canada and the US, rooted in mutual respect and founded on common interests, to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations. 'In parallel, the government is working to strengthen its relationships with reliable trading partners and allies around the world, recognizing that Canada has what the world needs and the values the world respects.' Earlier, the British king and queen processed through the Canadian capital in a carriage. Charles and Camilla's horse-drawn landau was led by 14 mounted riders with 14 more behind as they travelled with Canada's first indigenous Governor General Mary Simon and husband Whit Grant Fraser.
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Qatar Tribune
British king and queen begin two-day visit to Canada
PA Media/dpa London British King Charles III and Queen Camilla were welcomed to Canada by its prime minister, as they began a trip widely seen as a show of support for the country which has found itself in conflict with US President Donald Trump. Charles and Camilla shook hands with Mark Carney, who has been engaged in a war of words with the US leader and has described the role the king will play at the state opening of the Canadian parliament as a 'historic honour' that 'matches the weight of our times.' The king will give the address to open the parliament on Tuesday, and set the Canadian government's administration legislative programme. Carney said it would 'define a new economic and security relationship with the United States.' He greeted the king and queen as they disembarked the Royal Canadian Air Force plane that flew them from RAF Brize Norton in the United Kingdom to the capital, Ottawa. In a statement ahead of their arrival, Carney said: 'The royal visit is a reminder of the bond between Canada and the Crown, one forged over generations, shaped by shared histories and grounded in common values.' 'A bond that, over time, has evolved, just as Canada has, to reflect the strength, diversity and confidence of our people.' 'Tomorrow, His Majesty King Charles III will deliver the speech from the throne in the Senate Chamber, nearly 70 years after Canada's sovereign first opened Parliament,' he added. 'This historic honour matches the weight of our times.' 'It speaks to our enduring tradition and friendship, to the vitality of our constitutional monarchy and our distinct identity, and to the historic ties that crises only fortify,' Carney said. 'Canada's strength lies in building a strong future while embracing its English, French and Indigenous roots, the union of peoples that forms our bedrock.' Among the dignitaries taking part in the ceremonial welcome were Canada's first indigenous governor general, Mary Simon, the king's representative in Canada, and a number of senior figures from Canada's indigenous peoples, including Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
