Turkish Cypriot leader

Turgay Avci resigns as Yodak chairman

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Turgay Avci resigns as Yodak chairman

– Turgay Avci resigned as chairman of the north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak) on Friday.
– Avci resigned after a scandal involving alleged forgery of diplomas and bribes in the north’s higher education sector.
– Avci and former Yodak board member Mehmet Hasguler are accused of taking under-the-table payments during the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU)’s medicine school’s application for Yodak accreditation.
– Both Avci and Hasguler were released on bail.
– Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar had called for Avci’s resignation and instructed the north’s supreme court to fire him.
– Yodak’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, took temporary charge of the authority amid the criminal proceedings against Avci.

‘We should ask why there are so many medical schools’

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‘We should ask why there are so many medical schools’

Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar addressed the “fake diploma scandal” affecting the north’s higher education sector. He mentioned criticism regarding the excessive number of medical and dental schools relative to the population and suggested that the north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak) might have been negligent. Tatar had previously called for Yodak chairman Turgay Avci to resign due to allegations of bribery during the accreditation process of the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU)’s medicine school. The north’s ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel stated the ‘government’ is actively addressing the issue to minimize negative impacts on the higher education sector and emphasized the importance of justice and maintaining the country’s reputation.

Tatar, ’s daughter insists diploma is real

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Tatar, ’s daughter insists diploma is real

Canev Tatar, daughter of Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar, insisted that her diploma from the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU) is authentic, despite the university being involved in a diploma forgery scandal. She graduated from the University of the Arts London in 2015 and has been involved in artistic and personal development activities. Tatar expressed disappointment and offense over accusations against her, asserting she completed the required coursework and exams at KSTU. She provided evidence of her studies, including Whatsapp conversations, a PowerPoint presentation, and her diploma certificates from both universities. High-profile arrests linked to the fake diploma scandal at KSTU include former ‘education minister’ Kemal Durust and his wife Meray Durust, as well as Yodak chairman Turgay Avci and former board member Mehmet Hasguler, all of whom are currently on bail.

Holguin to meet Disy leader

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Holguin to meet Disy leader

UN Secretary General’s personal envoy Maria Holguin is on her second visit to Cyprus, where she will continue her meetings. She is scheduled to meet with the head and members of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nicosia and with Disy party leader Annita Demetriou. President Nikos Christodoulides mentioned a forthcoming meeting with Holguin and expressed willingness to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar in Holguin’s presence. Holguin was appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in January to explore restarting Cyprus talks and has met with the leaders of both communities and the guarantor powers.

British bases a threat to Turkey, Tatar argues

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British bases a threat to Turkey, Tatar argues

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has expressed concerns about the presence of British military bases in Cyprus, viewing them as a threat to Turkey and the occupied territories of Cyprus. In an interview, he highlighted Cyprus’s strategic location, the economic potential of the occupied territories, and announced the concession of Lefkoniko airport to the Turkish Armed Forces to counter external threats. Tatar emphasized the importance of this for Turkey’s security and the interests of the occupying administration, and expressed concerns over escalating Mediterranean tensions and the potential complications from activities of British aircraft deployed from the bases on the island.

Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

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Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

The scandal involving “fake diplomas” in the north’s education sector continues to unfold, focusing on UBP MP Emrah Yesilirmak and the authenticity of his business administration degree from Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU). MPs in the north have immunity from criminal proceedings with certain exceptions, but this does not prevent investigations. The Cyprus Massachusetts Centre of Innovation is linked to a criminal network involving forged student visas, leading to several arrests. The north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak)’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, takes charge amid criminal proceedings against its chairman, Turgay Avci, and former board member Mehmet Hasguler, both arrested for accepting under-the-table payments during KSTU’s accreditation process. Senior judge Gokhan Asafogullari is investigating Avci’s conduct.

Christodoulides to meet UN envoy Holguin

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Christodoulides to meet UN envoy Holguin

President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus is scheduled to meet with Maria Holguin, the UN Secretary General’s personal envoy, to discuss specific issues and receive updates. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos emphasized that any discussions with the Turkish Cypriot side would remain within the UN framework. Christodoulides mentioned that Holguin’s visit, which is expected to last about a week to ten days, will not be limited to a single meeting. Holguin is also set to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. The president expressed hope for positive developments towards resuming talks, following discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Holguin’s other contacts, including in Brussels.

Tatar moves to fire education chief

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Tatar moves to fire education chief

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar filed a case to have Turgay Avci, the head of the higher education committee (Yodak), fired. Tatar received complaints regarding not firing Avci, who is a former ‘education minister’. The dismissal of Avci is contingent upon an evaluation by the ‘court’, according to the ‘law’ on higher education. This action follows allegations against Avci related to the Cyprus University of Health and Social Sciences in occupied Morphou. Avci, facing these allegations, gave a statement to the police and was hospitalized in northern Nicosia due to hand pain. He was taken to court over allegations of fraudulently obtaining 926,286TL (€27,451) through 19 invoices from six different companies.