Istanbul Bilgi University in Türkiye has suddenly been shut down after a presidential decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, bringing an unexpected end to one of the country’s well-known private universities. If you’re wondering what actually happened here, it all goes back to a wider criminal investigation involving the institution’s parent company and allegations that eventually pulled the university into state control before its licence was completely revoked.
The university was not just closed overnight without any background. It had already been taken over by the state around eight months earlier after authorities launched an investigation into Can Holding, the business group that owned it. The case itself was linked to serious accusations including fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and claims of organised criminal activity. As part of that probe, dozens of companies connected to the holding group were reportedly seized and placed under state trusteeship, and Bilgi University was among them.
The latest decision, published in Türkiye’s Official Gazette, is what officially ended the university’s operations. President Erdoğan signed the decree under higher education laws that allow the closure of private institutions if they are considered not to be meeting required academic and administrative standards. The justification mentioned in the decree pointed to the university being under trusteeship and not fulfilling the expected level of education and training, which was used as the legal basis for revoking its licence.
Bilgi University itself is not a small or unknown institution. It was established back in 1996 and grew into one of Türkiye’s more internationally connected private universities, with over 20,000 students including a large number of international students. It also became part of global academic networks and exchange programmes over the years, which is why this decision has created such a strong reaction within academic circles.
The ownership change in 2019 is also an important part of the timeline. The university was acquired by Can Holding, which later expanded its presence into different sectors including media and education-linked businesses. However, in 2025 the group came under investigation by Turkish prosecutors. Authorities accused individuals linked to the company of running a criminal organisation and using corporate structures for illegal financial activities, including money laundering and manipulating financial records through shell companies.
Following those allegations, a large number of companies under Can Holding were taken over by the state’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund. Bilgi University was included in that list, meaning it was already operating under state-appointed management before the final closure decision came in 2026.
After the shutdown order, Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK) said it would take steps to ensure students are not left stranded. The most immediate solution being discussed is transferring students to a guarantor institution, with Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University reported as the main destination. However, details are still unclear about how smoothly this transition will work, especially for students who were preparing for exams or in the middle of academic terms.
There is also uncertainty around staff and faculty members, as no detailed official plan has been announced for academic employees following the closure. Some reports suggest internal disruptions began quickly after the decree, with access restrictions and administrative changes being implemented on campus.
The decision has also triggered debate inside Türkiye, especially around academic independence and the broader role of state trusteeship in private institutions. Critics argue that shutting down a university through executive and legal mechanisms tied to corporate investigations raises concerns about due process, while supporters of the move say it is part of a wider crackdown on financial crimes and misuse of institutional structures.
For now, Istanbul Bilgi University’s closure marks one of the more significant higher education decisions in recent years in Türkiye, especially given its size, international reach, and long-standing presence in the country’s academic landscape. What happens next for its students and faculty still remains partly unclear, but the transition process is expected to be handled through state education authorities in the coming weeks.
Sources: Euro News, Turkiye Today, Pakistan Times, Reuters, Dawn
