Georgia revokes decision to freeze Gulen-linked university’s student intake


Date posted: December 9, 2018

TBILISI, DFWatch–The Georgian regulatory body for quality in education on Saturday revoked a controversial decision to bar a Tbilisi university from accepting new students for a period of one year.

Black Sea International University, one of Georgia’s leading higher educational institutions, was also allowed to increase the number of students enrolled each year from 2,500 to 3,500.

The regulatory body, which files under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, was forced to revoke its decision back in August after pressure from IBSU students, professors as well as negative media coverage.

The one year freeze on accepting new students proved financially devastating for BSIU and was perceived as a bow to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who accused a failed coup attempt in July, 2016 on Turkish Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen, with whom the university is linked.

The decision in August was not the first time Georgia’s government cracked down on educational institutions linked to the Gülen movement. In February 2017, the council of the National Center for Educational Quality revoked the Sahin Friendship School’s authorization to carry out educational activities due to ‘serious violations’ of the rules about enrollment and procedures.

Seven months earlier, on July 19 of 2016, just a few days after Turkey’s failed coup attempt, the Turkish consul in Batumi, Yasin Temizkan, called on Georgian authorities to close down the school because it is fostering terrorism. Georgian authorities eventually gave in, despite claims that it was the best school in Batumi.

Later, in August 2017, the government cracked down on Demirel College, a school belonging to the same holding company which runs IBSU.

Source: Democracy & Freedom Watch , December 9, 2018


Related News

Pro-gov’t journalist proposes torturing jailed Gülen followers to force them to talk

Staunchly pro-government Turkish journalist Cem Küçük has complained about Turkish authorities’ not forcing jailed Gülen movement followers to speak about the group’s activities, suggesting that various kinds of torture could be used to make them talk, the Aktif Haber news website reported. Küçük’s controversial remarks came during a recent segment of “Media Critic” on TGRT […]

Turkish School strengthens ties with Turkmenistan

A kindergarten built through the efforts of Turkish entrepreneurs in Turkmenistan was opened by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdimuhammedov at a ceremony on Saturday. The 320-student kindergarten was constructed by Turkish contractor Sehil. Erdoğan, who was on an official visit to the country, delivered a speech at the ceremony. “We […]

Erdoğan steps up campaign against Gülen-inspired schools abroad

In a clear sign of his intensified campaign and escalating political vendetta against the movement, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on Turkish diplomats on Tuesday to lobby in foreign capitals for the takeover of Gülen-inspired Turkish schools by a Turkish government-run foundation.

Teacher detained in Turkey after forced return from Myanmar

Muhammet Furkan Sökmen, a Turkish teacher working for two schools established by Gulen movement followers in Myanmar, was forcibly returned to Turkey despite his cries for help on social media.

Hizmet Essay Contest 2014

The contest aims to motivate individuals to research the works of Fethullah Gulen and the activities of various Hizmet institutions locally and globally, with the purpose of addressing how the Hizmet movement contributes to the individual, the community, society and the world in general.

Two additional Turkish schools to open in Casablanca

Two additional Turkish schools, one of which will provide education in English in Morocco for the very first time, will be set up in Casablanca, Morocco Turkish Schools General Director İbrahim Aktaş announced on Tuesday. The first Turkish school on the African continent was opened in Morocco in the city of Tangiers in 1994. Other schools were subsequently opened in 52 African countries.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Senegalese PM Addresses Gulen Movement Conference in Dakar

Kimse Yok Mu provides vocational training for Palestinian orphans

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Reject Turkish Calls to Close Gülen Schools

Turkish govt has declared war on us, Nigerian student cries out from hiding

First Lego League qualifier at Brooklyn Amity School

New Book – “Beginnings and Endings: Fethullah Gülen’s Vision for Today’s World”

Parents protest demolition of Fatih College wall

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News