The license for the Dental Faculty of the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University has been revoked

In Northern Cyprus, the Council for Planning, Supervision, Accreditation, and Coordination of Higher Education (YÖDAK) temporarily revoked the teaching license for the Dental Faculty of the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTÜ) in Morphou. Education at the faculty has been suspended from February 27 until January 31, 2025.

The decision is related to a scandal involving the alleged issuance of fake diplomas. It is reported that the latest arrest in this case was made on Tuesday evening. The personal secretary of the former prime minister, who currently works as a civil servant in the Ministry of Labor, was taken into custody.

On Wednesday, he appeared in court, where it was revealed that the suspect enrolled in the university on September 13, 2022. On the same day, 61 grades for various subjects were entered into the university's database, allowing the official to obtain a four-year education certificate on the day of enrollment.

According to the prosecution, the "academic degree" allowed the suspect to receive a salary increase in his positions in the public sector.

The judge ordered him to be remanded in custody for two days while the police calculate how much money he received due to the forged document.

In a statement by YÖDAK, it is noted that the council held a meeting and assessed the course of the disciplinary investigation initiated on the basis that the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University made promotions and/or appointments contrary to the conditions specified in the Regulation on Higher Education Institutions of TRNC regarding the promotion and appointment of faculty members.

As a result of the assessment, it was announced that a unanimous decision was made to suspend and/or terminate the validity of the permission to commence teaching from February 27, 2024, to January 31, 2025, for the Dental Faculty of the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University.