Ankara University

Ankara University

Ankara Üniversitesi
Motto	Cumhuriyetin Bilim Güneşi (Turkish)
Motto in English	Republic's Sun of Science
Type	Public research university
Established	5 October 1925; 99 years ago (1925-10-05) as Ankara Hukuk Mektebi 13 June 1946; 78 years ago (1946-06-13)[1] as Ankara University
Founder	Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Rector	Necdet Ünüvar[2]
Academic staff	1,639
Administrative staff	5,527
Students	89,683[3]
Location	Ankara , Turkey
Campus	Urban
Language	Turkish, English
Affiliations	EUA
Website	www.ankara.edu.tr

Ankara University (Turkish: Ankara Üniversitesi) is a public research university in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. It was the first higher education institution founded in Turkey after the formation of the Turkish republic in 1923.^[4]

History

Ankara University Campus in 1940s

Ankara University was established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first president of Turkey, and is one of the country’s leading educational institutions. The university's history dates back to the founding of the Faculty of Political Science in 1859, which was originally established in Istanbul as an institution to educate the Ottoman Empire's bureaucracy.^[5] The faculty underwent various transformations over time. Initially known as Mekteb-i Mülkiye-i Şahane under the Turkish Ministry of the Interior, it was later renamed Mekteb-i Mülkiye in 1918 under the Turkish Ministry of Education. Following the founding of the Republic, Atatürk requested that the school be relocated to Ankara, and it was subsequently renamed the School of Political Science. On March 23, 1950, it became the Faculty of Political Science, part of Ankara University. The faculty offers programs in Public Administration, Labor Economics, Business Administration, and International Relations.

Ankara University Law School in 1940s

Ankara University School of Language and History – Geography

The university expanded over the years to include other faculties. The Ankara University Law School was founded in 1925,^[6] while the School of Language and History – Geography was established in 1935.^[7] In 1943, the Faculty of Science was founded,^[8] followed by the Faculty of Medicine in 1945.^[9] The Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, which traces its origins to 1842,^[10] and the School of Divinity, founded in 1949, were also part of the university’s early developments. The School of Pharmacy was established in 1960,^[11] followed by the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry in 1963, which became a full faculty in 1977. The Faculty of Educational Sciences was founded in 1965, along with the Faculty of Communication, also known as İLEF.^[12] In 1996, the Çankırı Faculty of Forestry and the Health Education Faculty were opened. More recently, the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Applied Sciences were established in 2015,^[13] and the Faculty of Open and Distance Education was founded in 2020.^[14] The university has 40 vocational programs, 120 undergraduate programs and 110 graduate programs.^[15]

Research

Ankara University hosts a variety of research, application, and education centers that support its academic and scientific mission. As of the latest data, the university operates 41 such centers, each dedicated to specialized research and public service.^[16]

Ankara University Campus

One of the notable centers is the Turkish and Foreign Languages Research and Application Center, known as TÖMER, which was established in 1984. By 2014, TÖMER had expanded to include 11 branches across Turkey, with its central office located in Ankara. The center provides language instruction in a broad range of languages, including Turkish, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Modern Greek, Dutch, Bulgarian, Chinese, Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, Polish, and the languages of the Central Asian Turkic Republics. The language offerings are subject to change based on demand and academic trends.^[17]

The Ankara University Kreiken Observatory, which began construction in 1959 and opened officially in 1963, is another key center. It provides significant contributions to astronomy, offering both scientific research opportunities and educational events for children, students, and the general public. The observatory also makes its facilities available to the public during important astronomical events.^[18]

The Ankara University Women Issues Research and Application Center (KASAUM), founded to address gender issues and the role of women in society, organizes research and educational programs. In 1996, the center launched the "Women Research" master's program to further support research in this field.^[19] Similarly, the Small Entrepreneurship Research and Application Center (KIGAUM) conducts research on small business entrepreneurship, offers educational programs for academics and entrepreneurs, and fosters partnerships with both local and international centers.^[20]

The Distance Education Center at Ankara University provides opportunities for students to pursue higher education remotely, offering both full degree programs and individual courses.^[21] The university also operates the Center of Excellence in Superconductivity Research (CESUR), which focuses on the study of superconducting materials such as MgB2, BSCCO, and YBCO, particularly for use in practical superconductivity technologies.^[22]

The Ankara University European Research Center (ATAUM), founded in 1987, is dedicated to promoting knowledge of the European Union and Turkey-EU relations. It engages in interdisciplinary research and training, contributing to a deeper understanding of the political and economic dynamics of the EU and its member states.^[23] Additionally, the Ankara University Center for Earthquake Research conducts independent studies on seismic activity, with a particular focus on the region surrounding Ankara and broader Turkey.^[24]

Several other specialized centers at the university include the Psychiatric Crisis Research and Application Center (PKUAM), which focuses on psychiatric crises, suicide prevention, and related public health issues. Established in 1987, PKUAM serves as a reference point for the World Health Organization.^[25] The Brain Research Center, founded in 2009, is another prominent research center, bringing together experts from diverse fields like linguistics, psychiatry, neurology, and electrical engineering to explore the human brain.^[26]

The Latin American Research and Application Center (LAMER), opened in 2009, conducts research into the political, economic, social, and cultural issues of Latin America. It aims to analyze the region's development and explore how its experiences might be applied in Turkey.^[27] Similarly, the Center for the Research of Child's Culture (ÇOKAUM), founded in 1994, focuses on research related to children's culture and organizes both national and international academic events. The Center for Research of South Eastern Europe (GAMER), established in 2009, addresses the cultural, historical, and economic aspects of the South Eastern European region.^[28]

In addition to these, the university operates the Center for the Research of Turkish Geography (TÜCAUM), which began its activities in 1990. TÜCAUM supports research on Turkish geography, compiles relevant data, and maintains an archive of materials related to Turkey's geographical studies.^[29] The Political Psychology Research and Application Center (POLPAUM) and the Center of Environmental Science also contribute to the university's diverse academic focus.^[30][31] Finally, the Old Age Research and Application Center (YASAM) works on issues related to aging and the welfare of older individuals, conducting research and publishing on the social, economic, health, and psychological conditions of the elderly.^[32]

International perspective

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World[33]	801–900 (2023)
QS World[34]	901–950 (2024)
THE World[35]	1501+ (2024)
USNWR Global[36]	=722 (2023)
Regional – Overall
QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia[37]	66 (2022)

The Department of Japanese Language and Literature was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister's commendation for their contributions to promotion of Japanese language education in Turkey on December 1, 2020.^[38][39]

Notable people

See also: List of Ankara University rectors

Faculty

• Hasan Reşit Tankut, Turkish politician and historian

Notable alumni

Main category: Ankara University alumni

• Bülent Arınç – Politician and former speaker of the parliament
• Tomris Bakır – Archaeologist
• Deniz Baykal – Politician and party leader
• Ataol Behramoglu – Poet and university lecturer
• Akın Birdal – Politician
• Osman Birsen – Former CEO of Istanbul Stock Exchange
• Deniz Çakır – Actor
• Cengiz Çandar – Journalist
• Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu – Diplomat and politician; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
• Mustafa Ceceli – Singer
• Şirin Cemgil – Lawyer
• Hikmet Çetin – Former speaker of the Parliament
• Mehmet Culum – Novelist
• Can Dündar – Nournalist
• İsmail Hakkı Duru – Theoretical physicist
• Muammer Güler – Governor of Istanbul
• Aydın Güven Gürkan – Academic and socialist party leader
• Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu – Former secretary-general of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
• Erdal İnönü – Academic and politician
• Mustafa Kalemli – Physician and politician
• Ahmet Taner Kışlalı – Intellectual and former government minister
• Hayri Kozakçıoğlu – Province governor and politician
• Ferit Melen – Former prime minister
• Adnan Menderes – Former prime minister
• Murathan Mungan – Author
• Tahsin Özgüç – Archaeologist
• Ahmet Necdet Sezer - President of Turkey (2000–2007)
• Cemal Süreya – Poet
• Murat Karayalçın – Former Minister for Foreign Affairs; former Deputy Prime Minister and former Mayor of Ankara
• Hasan Celal Güzel – Former Minister of National Education
• Mehmet Hakkı Suçin - Arabist
• Selahattin Demirtaş – Politician
• İlber Ortaylı – Historian
• Metin Feyzioğlu – Lawyer
• Halil İnalcık – Historian
• İhsan Doğramacı – Physician and university founder
• Ahmet Taner Kışlalı – Politician
• Engin Akyürek – Actor
• Mehmet Görmez – Academic
• Melih Gökçek – Politician
• Mehmet Şimşek – Politician
• Beşir Atalay – Politician
• Abdullah Öcalan – Kurdistan Workers' Party leader and political thinker^[40]
• Doğu Perinçek – Politician
• Mehmet Haberal – Physician and founder of Başkent University
• Cüneyt Özdemir – Journalist
• Mithat Sancar – Politician
• Metin Altıok – Poet
• Ahmed Arif – Poet
• Ayşenur İslam – Politician
• Selma Aliye Kavaf – Politician
• Sezai Karakoç – Author and poet
• Suat Kılıç – Politician
• Ece Temelkuran – Author
• Mehmet Bekaroğlu – Physician and politician
• Çetin Altan – Author and politician
• Sırrı Süreyya Önder – Politician
• Haluk Koç -– Politician
• Mustafa Kamalak -– Saadet Party leader
• Merve Kavakçı -– Politician
• Muammer Güler – Politician
• Kartal Tibet – Screenwriter
• Mehmet Mehdi Eker – Politician
• Sema Ramazanoğlu – Politician
• Naci Bostancı – Politician
• Sadullah Ergin – Politician
• Emine Ülker Tarhan – Politician
• Abdülkadir Aksu – Politician
• Mustafa Elitaş – Politician
• Altan Erkekli – Theatre actor
• Adalet Ağaoğlu – Author
• Bülent Ecevit – Politician
• Hakim Muhammad Said – Pedical researcher, scholar, philanthropist, and Governor of Sindh Province, Pakistan from 1993 until 1996
• Abdüllatif Şener – Politician, former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Finance
• Adnan Sezgin – Former soccer player and businessman
• Tuluhan Tekelioğlu – Journalist, writer and documentary film producer
• Tülay Tuğcu – Former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Turkey
• Hamdi Ulukaya – Owner, founder, chairman, and CEO of Chobani
• Gazi Yaşargil – Physician
• Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu – Politician
• Mesut Yılmaz – Politician
• Halil Ergün – Actor
• Selda Bağcan – Singer and songwriter
• Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu – Politician
• Mesut Yılmaz – Politician
• Barış Falay – Actor

See also

• Faculty of Political Science, Ankara University
• Ankara University, Law School
• Ankara University Medical School
• Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry
• School of Language and History – Geography
• Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Ankara University Observatory
• List of universities in Ankara
• List of universities in Turkey

References

1. "Institutional". Ankara University. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
2. "Rektör".
4. "Ankara University Catalog" (PDF). www.ankara.edu.tr/. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 November 2021.
5. Hansen, Suzy (24 July 2019). "'The Era of People Like You Is Over': How Turkey Purged Its Intellectuals". The New York Times Magazine. p. 1. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
6. Ozkaya, Tanju (24 January 2020). "Turkey remembers assassinated journo Ugur Mumcu". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
7. Agency, Anadolu (2 December 2019). "Notes of 'Magic Flute' to echo in Ankara and Tarsus". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
8. "African nightingale spends lifetime migrating to Turkey". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
9. "'COVID-19 pandemic may ease in two months if measures implemented' - Turkey News". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
10. sabah, daily (20 April 2019). "Insect factory in Ankara aims to reduce Turkey's pesticide imports". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
11. KILIÇ, ÖZGENUR SEVİNÇ-TUĞÇE (20 February 2019). "Young people eye student-friendly projects from mayoral candidates". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
12. SCF (18 July 2018). "Turkish journalist Böken transferred to prison 250 kilometers away from family". Stockholm Center for Freedom. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
13. "Applied Science". Archived from the original on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
14. "Uzaktan Eğitim Diploma ve Sertifika Programları". ankuzef.ankara.edu.tr. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
15. "Student Hand Book" (PDF). en.ankara.edu.tr. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
16. Üniversitesi, Ankara. "Anasayfa". Ankara Üniversitesi. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
17. "Anasayfa". Retrieved 18 March 2023.
18. "Kreiken Observatory". Retrieved 17 June 2015.
19. "Official site of KASAUM". Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
20. Yenertürk, Ahmet. "Anasayfa". Retrieved 18 March 2023.
21. "Ankara Üniversitesi - Uzaktan Eğitim Merkezi". Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
22. "Center of Excellence for Superconductivity Research". Retrieved 17 June 2015.
23. "Official site of Ankara University European Research Center". Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
24. (in Turkish)Official site of ADAUM Archived May 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
25. Yenertürk, Ahmet. "Kriz Merkezi Website". Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
26. "Brain Research Center". Retrieved 17 June 2015.
27. "Anasayfa". Retrieved 18 March 2023.
28. (in Turkish)Ankara University Center of Research of South Eastern Europe's Official Site Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
29. Yenertürk, Ahmet. "Anasayfa". Retrieved 18 March 2023.
30. (in Turkish)Ankara University Research and Application Center on Political Psychology. Official Site.
31. "Çevre Sorunları Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezi - Ankara Üniversitesi Çevre Sorunları Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezi". Retrieved 17 June 2015.
32. Yenertürk, Ahmet. "Anasayfa". Retrieved 18 March 2023.
33. "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023". shanghairanking.com. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
34. "QS World University Rankings: Ankara Üniversitesi". Top Universities. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
35. "Ankara University". Times Higher Education (THE). 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
36. U.S. News. "Ankara University". Retrieved 27 February 2024.
37. "QS World University Rankings-Emerging Europe & Central Asia". Retrieved 15 January 2023.
38. "Foreign Minister's Commendations for FY 2020". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
39. "Foreign Minister's Commendations for FY 2020 (Groups) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan" (PDF). Retrieved 18 March 2023.
40. Öcalan, Abdullah (2015). Capitalism: The Age of Unmasked Gods and Naked Kings. New Compass. p. 115.

External links

• Ankara University (Official Website)

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