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Istanbul University

Coordinates: 41°00′46.93″N 28°57′49.95″E / 41.0130361°N 28.9638750°E / 41.0130361; 28.9638750
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(Redirected from University of Istanbul)
For the university formerly part of Istanbul University, see Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa.

Istanbul University
Turkish: İstanbul Üniversitesi
Latin: Universitas Istanbulensis[1]
Former name
Sahn-ı Seman Medresesi
(1453–1846)
Dârülfünûn-ı Şâhâne
(1846–1912)
İstanbul Dârülfünunu
(1912-1933)
MottoTurkish: Tarihten Geleceğe Bilim Köprüsü
Motto in English
Science Bridge from Past to the Future
TypePublic university
Research university
EstablishedMay 30, 1453; 571 years ago (1453-05-30)
Budget$411 million (2025)[2]
RectorProf. Dr. Osman Bülent Zülfikar
Academic staff
4,339[3]
Administrative staff
5,885[3]
Students58,809[3]
Undergraduates42,066[3]
Postgraduates16,268[3]
Location
Istanbul
,
Turkey

41°00′46.93″N 28°57′49.95″E / 41.0130361°N 28.9638750°E / 41.0130361; 28.9638750
CampusUrban
FounderMehmed II
Colors  Green   Yellow
AffiliationsCoimbra Group
EUA
UNIMED
Websitewww.istanbul.edu.tr

Istanbul University, also known as University of Istanbul (Turkish: İstanbul Üniversitesi), is a prominent public research university located in Istanbul, Turkey. Founded by Mehmed II on May 30, 1453, a day after the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks,[4] it was reformed as the first Ottoman higher education institution influenced by European approaches.[5][6] The successor institution, which has been operating under its current name since 1933, is the first university in modern Turkey.[7]

Istanbul University is consistently ranked first in Turkey and among the top 500 universities in the world according to the recently published Shanghai Ranking.[8] At present, there are 64,032 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students[9] studying in 33 academic units,[10] including faculties, institutes, colleges, and vocational schools at 10 campuses.[11] The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square in Fatih, the capital district of the province, on the European side of the city.

Istanbul University alumni include Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Aziz Sancar[12] and Nobel Prize in Literature winner Orhan Pamuk,[13] as well as President of Turkey Abdullah Gül, six Prime Ministers of Turkey, including Suat Hayri Ürgüplü, Sadi Irmak, Nihat Erim, Refik Saydam, Naim Talu, Yıldırım Akbulut, and the current mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu. The alumni also include the longest-serving President of Israel Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, as well as David Ben-Gurion and Moshe Sharett, who both served as Prime Ministers of Israel.

History

[edit]
See also: University of Constantinople

The origins of Istanbul University date back to 1453,[14][4] when it was founded by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II as a school of philosophy, medicine, law and letters.[14] The University of Constantinople, established in 425 CE by the Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius II as the Pandidacterium, later became known as the Phanar Greek Orthodox College after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. In the early stages, Istanbul University also functioned as a medrese, an Islamic theological school. This madrasa is regarded as the precursor to the Darülfünûn, a technical institute or university (lit. House of Natural Sciences), which evolved into Istanbul University in 1933.[15] Education in various sciences and fields, including medicine, mathematics, astronomy, cartography, geography, history, philosophy, religion, literature, philology, and law, became available and, until the 19th century, played a key role in educating the ruling cadres of Ottoman society. However, when the medreses were no longer able to meet the needs of the time, a restructuring process began, leading to the establishment of Darülfünûn, the core of Istanbul University.

Faculty members of Istanbul University with School Director Kemal Bey and the teaching staff, circa 1915.
Faculty members of Istanbul University with School Director Kemal Bey and the teaching staff, circa 1915.
The main entrance to Istanbul University, 1950s.
Late Roman and early Byzantine remains at the Istanbul University campus next to Beyazıt Tower.

An institution of higher education named the Darülfünûn-u Osmanî (lit. the Ottoman Polytechnic Institute) was created in 1863, but suppressed in 1871.[15] Its first rector was Hasan Tahsini, regarded as one of the most important Ottoman scholars of the 19th century. In 1874 the Darülfünûn-u Sultanî (lit. the Royal College of Natural Sciences) began offering law classes in French, but was closed in 1881.[15]

The Imperial College, later known as Darülfünûn-u Şahâne, was reestablished in 1900 with departments in theology, arts, mathematics, science, and philology.[15] In 1924, the faculties of law, medicine, arts and sciences were established in İstanbul Darülfünûnu, as the university was now called.[15] Islamic theology was added in 1925, but in 1933 the university was reorganized without the latter.[15]

The first modern applied physics courses were offered at the Darülfünûn on 31 December 1863, marking the beginning of a new era. On 20 February 1870, the school was renamed Darülfünûn-u Osmanî (lit. the Ottoman House of Multiple Sciences) and reorganized to meet the needs of modern sciences and technologies. Starting in 1874, some classes in literature, law, and applied sciences were held at the Lycée de Galatasaray building, continuing regularly until 1881. On 1 September 1900, the school was renamed and reorganized as Darülfünûn-u Şahâne (lit. the Royal Polytechnic Institute), offering courses in mathematics, literature, and theology. On 20 April 1912, the school was renamed İstanbul Darülfünûnu, with an expanded course offering and a modernized curriculum. The School of Medicine, Law, Applied Sciences, Literature, and Theology were established.

On 21 April 1924, the Republic of Turkey recognized İstanbul Darülfünûnu as a state institution. On 7 October 1925, its administrative autonomy was established, and the schools, which had been part of the old medrese system, became modern faculties. The Darülfünûn then consisted of five faculties: medicine, law, letters, theology, and science. The professors were granted academic freedom as outlined in Article 2 of Law 493.[16] On 1 August 1933, İstanbul Darülfünûnu was reorganized as İstanbul Üniversitesi (lit. Istanbul University)[17] following the educational reforms of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Classes officially began on 1 November 1933.

Before World War II, many German scientists, particularly those from fields such as medicine, natural sciences, and humanities, were forced to flee Germany due to pressure on anti-Nazi scholars and artists, many of whom were of Jewish origin. A significant number of these emigrants found refuge at Istanbul University, where they contributed to the growth of academic programs and research, enhancing the university's intellectual environment and fostering scientific efforts in Turkey.[18]

Campus

[edit]
Main entrance gate of Istanbul University on Beyazıt Square, which was known as Forum Tauri (later Forum of Theodosius) in the late Roman period. Beyazıt Tower, located within the campus, is seen in the background, to the right of the flagpole.
Interior view of the main building of Istanbul University.
The arched monumental gate of Istanbul University on the reverse of the 500 lira banknote (1971–1984).

The university comprises seventeen faculties spread across five campuses. The main campus being on Beyazıt Square, which was originally built by Constantine the Great as the Forum Tauri and was later enlarged by Theodosius the Great as the Forum of Theodosius during the Roman period. Some Roman and Byzantine ruins are still visible on the grounds.

The building stands on the site of the Old Palace, the first palace built by the Ottoman Turks in Istanbul.[19] Completed in 1458, the original wooden structure of the Old Palace included the harem quarters and various pavilions. Mehmed II resided there before moving to the newly constructed Topkapı Palace. Even after the royal family relocated, the Old Palace retained its significance, serving as a residence for the families of deceased sultans.

After the disbandment of the Janissary Corps in 1826, the Old Palace was assigned to the Bab-ı Seraskeri, the new military force of the Ottoman Empire. From this point on, the building was referred to as the Serasker Gate. The original wooden Serasker Gate building was demolished in 1864. The building began to serve as the Ottoman Ministry of War, in 1879. Following the establishment of the Republic in 1923, the Ministry of War, like other ministries, relocated to Ankara, and the building was handed over to Darülfünun, the first and only university of the Ottoman Empire. Located on the grounds is the Beyazıt Tower, an 85 m (279 ft) tall fire-watch tower.

The current main building, designed by French architect Bourgerois, was completed in 1865-1866. In 1879, it began serving as the Ottoman Empire's Ministry of War. The Blue Hall and Pink Hall, located on the building's second floor, are adorned in an orientalist decorative style, featuring ceiling and wall ornamentations that reflect the overall aesthetic of the structure. The room currently used as the Rector's Office was originally the office of the Minister of War during the Ottoman Empire. The office also contains the desk of Enver Pasha, who served as the Minister of War from 1914 to 1918. The "Kılıçlık Hall," which is used for academic meetings today, was originally the venue for sword-donning ceremonies for officers within the Ministry of War during the Ottoman Empire. Before holding meetings in the Kılıçlık Hall, officers would use the area on the right side of the hall to place their swords, hang their coats, and perform ablutions.

The building, which was damaged in an earthquake in 1894, was restored by Italian architect Raimondo D’Aronco.[19] In 1950, it was again restored by Ekrem Hakkı Ayverdi. The Rectorate Building has undergone several renovations over the years, with the most recent restoration, including façade and marble cleaning, taking place in 1998. The main gate was depicted on the reverse of the Turkish 500 lira banknotes of 1971–1984.[20]

The building housing the Rare Books Library, designed by Kemaleddin Bey in 1913, is home to a collection of approximately 93,000 volumes, including printed and manuscript books, journals, newspapers, maps, plans, and notes in Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Greek and Latin.[21] The collection also includes 911 albums known as the Abdülhamid II Collection, which contain 36,585 photographs. Additionally, the library holds the collections of prominent figures in Turkish politics and intellectual history, such as Zakirbaşı Hüseyin Halis Efendi, Hasan Rıza Pasha, Grand Vizier İbrahim Hakkı Pasha, Sheikh-ul-Islam Pirizade Mehmet Sahip Molla, and İbnülemin Mahmut Kemal İnal. In 1925, the collection of the Yıldız Palace Library was transferred to the Rare Books Library.[21]

International perspective and rankings

[edit]
University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World[22]401–500 (2024)
CWUR World[23]693 (2024)
CWTS World[24]561 (2024)
QS World[25]621–630 (2025)
RUR World[26]244 (2024)
THE World[27]1001-1200 (2024)
USNWR Global[28]769 (2024)
Global – Business and economics
QS Business[29]401-450 (2024)
Global – Liberal arts
QS Arts & Humanities[30]294 (2024)
QS Social Sciences and Management[31]331 (2024)
Global – Life sciences and medicine
QS Life Sciences & Medicine[32]382 (2024)
Global – Science and engineering
QS Engineering & Tech.[33]451-500 (2024)
National – Overall
ARWU National[34]1 (2024)
CWTS National[35]7 (2024)
CWUR National[36]3 (2024)
QS National[37]7 (2024)
THE National[38]12 (2024)
USNWR National[39]11 (2024)

Istanbul University Graduate School of Business was founded in 1954 with the collaboration of Harvard Business School and the Ford Foundation.[40][41] Istanbul University School of Business is the only AACSB-accredited business school among the public universities in Turkey.[42] Istanbul University Graduate School of Business also has a Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, which is the only honor business society in public universities in Turkey.[43][44] Istanbul University Law School conducts a joint Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) program in partnership with the University of Hamburg. This program enables students to study in both Turkey and Germany, covering multiple legal systems with coursework focused on both domestic and international law.[45] Istanbul University has established various collaboration and exchange agreements with universities around the world.[46] These include partnerships with Yale University Wright Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Arizona in the United States; the University of Seoul, Dongguk University, and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea; and Qatar University in Qatar. In Japan, the university has agreements with Ryukoku University, Tokyo University of Marine Sciences and Technology, Kindai University, and Tsurumi University. Istanbul University also collaborates with Tilburg University in the Netherlands, as well as Berlin Technical University, Aachen University of Technology, University of Cologne, Ruhr University Bochum, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany. Additional partnerships include Essex University in the United Kingdom and the University of Western Ontario in Canada.[46]

Istanbul University Observatory

Istanbul University maintains extensive Erasmus exchange agreements with numerous institutions across Europe, facilitating academic mobility and collaboration.[47] In Germany, the university partners with Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Freiburg, University of Hamburg, Heidelberg University, University of Mainz, University of Marburg, University of Mannheim, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and University of Tübingen. In Austria, partnerships include University of Graz, University of Innsbruck, and University of Vienna. The university also has agreements with several Belgian institutions, including University of Antwerpen, Gent University, KU Leuven, and University of Liège, as well as University of Copenhagen in Denmark. In France, Istanbul University collaborates with Bordeaux Montaigne University, University of Caen Normandy, Lumière University Lyon 2, Aix-Marseille University, University of Orléans, Paris Nanterre University, Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales, and University of Strasbourg.

The Erasmus network extends to the Netherlands, with agreements with University of Amsterdam, University of Groningen, Leiden University, and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and to Ireland with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. In Spain, the university partners with University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University, University of Granada, University of Salamanca, and University Zaragoza, while in Sweden, it collaborates with Lund University and Uppsala University. Additionally, Istanbul University maintains Erasmus agreements with several Italian universities, including University of Bologna, University of Florence, University of Milano-Bicocca, University of Naples Federico II, University of Padua, and Sapienza University of Rome, as well as University of Luxembourg in Luxembourg, Eötvös Loránd University, Debrecen University, University of Pécs, and Szeged University in Hungary, University of Oslo in Norway, and University of Coimbra in Portugal.

The university actively participates in research and innovation programs supported by the European Commission[48] and Horizon Europe[49], which provide funding for cutting-edge research across various fields. These partnerships enable Istanbul University to contribute to and benefit from large-scale research projects that foster scientific progress and innovation. Additionally, the university collaborates with NATO[50] in research initiatives related to security, technology, and scientific advancement, benefiting from access to valuable resources and expertise in areas of mutual interest. Istanbul University is also an official member of the CMS Experiment at CERN[51], a collaboration that focuses on high-energy physics research and the study of fundamental particles.

Notable faculty

[edit]

See also Academic staff of Istanbul University for a detailed list.

Notable expatriate faculty

[edit]

Notable alumni

[edit]

See also Istanbul University alumni for a detailed list.

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Studia et opuscula in honorem Universitatis Istanbulensis physiologiae professoris publici ordinarii Hans Winterstein septuagenarii ab amicis collegis famulisque conscripta XXXI. Iulii A.D. MCMXXXXIX (in Latin). 1949.
  2. ^ "Üniversitelere 2025 yılı için 487 milyar liranın üzerinde ödenek ayrıldı". Anadolu Ajansı. 7 September 2024. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Sayılarla İstanbul Üniversitesi". sayilarla.istanbul.edu.tr. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Istanbul University". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  5. ^ Günergun, Feza; Kadıoğlu, Sevtap (2006). "İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ'NİN YERLEŞİM TARİHÇESİ ÜZERİNE NOTLAR". Osmanlı Bilimi Araştırmaları. 1 (8): 135–163. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  6. ^ "İstanbul Üniversitesi'nin kuruluşunun 86. yıl dönümü! İstanbul Üniversitesi tarihi". haberler.com (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Üniversitelerin kuruluş tarihleri". cnnturk.com (in Turkish). CNN Türk. 20 June 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Shanghai Ranking Universities". www.shanghairanking.com. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
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  11. ^ "Yerleşim". istanbul.edu.tr (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  12. ^ "The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2015". NobelPrize.org. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  13. ^ "The Nobel Prize in Literature 2006". NobelPrize.org. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Istanbul University". Times Higher Education. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Rüegg, Walter: "European Universities and Similar Institutions in Existence between 1812 and the End of 1944: A Chronological List", in: Rüegg, Walter (ed.): A History of the University in Europe. Vol. 3: Universities in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries (1800–1945), Cambridge University Press, 2004, ISBN 978-0-521-36107-1, p. 687
  16. ^ Gedlkoğlu, Tokay (1995).p.152
  17. ^ Gedlkoğlu, Tokay (1995).p.156
  18. ^ Paksoy, Nadir (1 August 2022). "German pathology professor Philipp Schwartz: His enduring life from Frankfurt to Istanbul during the Second World War era: A "forgotten savior"". Annals of Diagnostic Pathology. 59: 151955. doi:10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.151955. ISSN 1092-9134.
  19. ^ a b "Tarihin Kalbinde Yer Alan İstanbul Üniversitesi Rektörlük Binası". İletim (in Turkish). 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  20. ^ Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey "Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey". Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2008.. Banknote Museum: 6. Emission Group – Five Hundred Turkish Lira – I. Series Archived 4 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine & II. Series Archived 4 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. – Retrieved 20 April 2009.
  21. ^ a b Üniversitesi, Istanbul. "Nadir Eserler Kütüphanesi Koleksiyonu". muzeyum.istanbul.edu.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Shanghai Ranking Universities". www.shanghairanking.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024.
  23. ^ "CWUR World University Rankings – 2024". CWUR. 11 November 2024. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  24. ^ Studies (CWTS), Centre for Science and Technology. "CWTS Leiden Ranking". CWTS Leiden Ranking. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
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  26. ^ "World University Rankings". Round University Ranking. 11 November 2024. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  27. ^ "World University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 11 November 2024. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  28. ^ "US News Best Global Universities". US News Ranking. 11 November 2024. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  29. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Business & Management Studies". QS World University Rankings. 11 November 2024. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  30. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Arts and Humanities". Top Universities. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  31. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Social Sciences & Management". Top Universities. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  32. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Life Sciences & Medicine". Top Universities. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  33. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Engineering & Technology". Top Universities. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  34. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities - Istanbul University". Academic Ranking of World Universities. 11 November 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  35. ^ "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024". CWTS Leiden Ranking. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  36. ^ "Global 2000 List by the Center for World University Rankings". Center for World University Rankings. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  37. ^ "QS World University Rankings - Istanbul University". Top Universities. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  38. ^ "World University Rankings - Istanbul University". THE World University Rankings. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  39. ^ "Best Global Universities - Istanbul University". U.S. News Education (USNWR). Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  40. ^ "Celebrating 100 Years of Case Method Teaching & Learning". Harvard Business School. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  41. ^ Üniversitesi, Istanbul. "Istanbul Üniversitesi | Tarihten Gelecege Bilim Köprüsü". isletmeiktisadi.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  42. ^ "Find AACSB-Accredited Business Schools | AACSB". aacsb.edu. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  43. ^ Üniversitesi, Istanbul. "Istanbul Üniversitesi | Tarihten Gelecege Bilim Köprüsü". isletme.istanbul.edu.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  44. ^ "List of Chapters - Beta Gamma Sigma". www.betagammasigma.org. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  45. ^ Üniversitesi, Istanbul. "Istanbul Üniversitesi | Faculty of Law". hukuk.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  46. ^ a b University, Istanbul. "Istanbul University | Bilateral Multi-Relations Coordinatorship". mou.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  47. ^ "2022-2028 (EWP) - Agreements - EUC - Erasmus+ Online Application and Management System - Erasmus Office - Istanbul University". erasmusport.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  48. ^ University, Istanbul. "Our Jean Monnet Module Project Is Awarded to Funding". www.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  49. ^ University, Istanbul. "C2IMPRESS Project Wins Funding Under European Union HORIZON EUROPE Programme". www.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  50. ^ University, Istanbul. "Two Projects from İstanbul University Qualified for Funding from NATO". www.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  51. ^ University, Istanbul. "New International Projects from Istanbul University". www.istanbul.edu.tr. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
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