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Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected recent allegations questioning the authenticity of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s academic credentials.
Ministry sources emphasized that both the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) and the Council of Higher Education (YOK) had already responded to these claims with official documentation.
“The Minister’s undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, along with their equivalency certificates, were publicly shared by the DMM on May 15, 2025,” the ministry said.
https://x.com/dmmiletisim/status/1922169955086434570
Officials also recalled that YOK had previously confirmed the equivalency of Fidan’s degrees in response to parliamentary inquiries from opposition MPs. Additionally, the Ministry of National Education relayed YOK’s response to a related parliamentary question on June 12, 2025.
The Ministry described the recent revival of these claims as a continuation of a “systematic defamation campaign” against Minister Fidan, allegedly initiated by FETO-affiliated groups in recent years.
“Baseless accusations targeting our Minister have been brought forward repeatedly by FETO and similar structures in a coordinated effort to undermine his credibility,” the sources stated.
They concluded by noting that legal action has been taken in response to the renewed accusations.
Hakan Fidan began his formal education within the armed forces of Türkiye. He attended the Electronic Non-Commissioned Officer Preparatory School, followed by the Land Forces Communications School and the Military Language School. Between 1986 and 2001, he served as a non-commissioned officer in the Turkish Land Forces. During this period, he specialized in military communications, technology, and developed strong operational discipline.
He pursued higher education in the United States, earning a bachelor's degree in Management and Political Science from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). This degree was officially recognized by Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education (YOK) with an equivalency certificate. His time abroad provided him with critical insight into global governance and political systems.
After returning to Türkiye, Fidan completed his master’s degree at Bilkent University. His thesis, titled “The Role of Intelligence in Foreign Policy,” examined the influence of intelligence on diplomatic decision-making—forming the theoretical basis for his later roles in public service and national security.
He went on to earn his PhD from the same institution. His doctoral dissertation, “Diplomacy in the Information Age: The Use of Information Technologies in the Verification of International Agreements,” explored how digital technology shapes international diplomacy in the modern world.
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