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Ankara University

Public university in Turkey From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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History

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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.

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Ankara University Law School in 1940s
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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]

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Research

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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]

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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]

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Ankara National Library

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The National Library, one of the most prestigious institutions of the Republic of Türkiye and known as the Memory of Türkiye, was established in 1946 and started to service in 1948 in the building at Kumrular Street in Ankara. The National Library moved to its building in Bahçelievler in 1983. [33] "My first stop was the National Library. As I stepped inside, it felt as though I had been transported back in time. The reading halls were named after some of Türkiye’s most celebrated intellectuals and leaders. There was a reverent stillness in the air, the kind that invites contemplation.

The archives, while not exactly aligned with my research needs, offered a glimpse into Türkiye’s historical and literary soul. The building itself carried an aura similar to Istanbul’s older libraries, though with a calm more typical of Ankara’s personality. Still, I sensed that this was only the beginning.

It was at the Presidential Library that everything changed." [34] The Nation's Library contains 4 million printed books, more than 120 million articles, and electronic scientific publications, in addition to 134,000 books from different countries and in different languages. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will open the Nation Library at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, the largest library in Turkish history, influenced by Seljuk, Ottoman, and contemporary architecture. The library will contain thousands of rare books and manuscripts in several sciences and will be open to readers and university students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. [35] Additionally, prominent Turkish scholars and intellectuals, such as Ahmet Burak Erdogan, the late composer and musician Sinosan Tanikurur, İlber Ortaylı, and Mehmed Şevket Eygi, have donated their personal libraries and archives, further increasing the value and richness of the Nation’s Library.

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Entrance of the Presidential National Library

Moreover, books from various countries and in multiple languages are on display, having been gifted by ambassadors from countries such as Uzbekistan, India, Chile, France, China, and Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron’s special representative in Turkey also announced a joint study between Turkey’s Nation’s Library and the National Library of France. [36] The National Library of Turkey stands tall, offering a treasure trove of literary gems, manuscripts, and historical documents since its establishment in 1946. Universities like Hacettepe and Middle East Technical University contribute to Ankara's intellectual vibrancy with their extensive university libraries, serving as vital resources for academic research and fostering an atmosphere of continuous learning. Public libraries, strategically placed across neighborhoods, provide inclusive spaces where locals and visitors alike can delve into a world of literature, participate in educational programs, and engage in the cultural tapestry of Ankara. Ankara's libraries transcend their roles as repositories of books; they are vibrant community hubs, nurturing a love for reading and lifelong learning.

The city's commitment to literacy and education is evident in these libraries, where the past and present coalesce to inspire and shape the minds of its diverse populace. Whether one seeks historical manuscripts, academic references, or a quiet corner to explore new ideas, Ankara's libraries stand as beacons of enlightenment, inviting all to embark on a journey of intellectual discovery in the heart of the Turkish capital. [37] Turkish universities also have some of the most modern library systems. Although all Turkish universities have libraries on their campuses with multimedia facilities, many of the books are presently only available in Turkish. There are a few university libraries such as METU (Middle East Technical University),[38] Hacettepe University, Bilkent University in Ankara and Bogazici University,[39] ITU (Istanbul Technical University) [40]and Sabanci University in Istanbul whose books and materials are predominantly in English. All universities in Turkey have computer labs with free wireless internet connection. University libraries are the backbone supporting degree programs, research and teaching. An impressive collection of books, periodicals, e-books, e-journals, academic Internet resources, music scores and other printed material are available in most libraries. Extensive audio-visual and sound recording collections are also available at your disposal. Libraries offer essential and supplementary resources for students in all academic disciplines. In addition, libraries commonly offer a comprehensive range of cultural resources. Some libraries provide online access to digital materials. Electronic reserves are available online to students 24 hours a day, even when the library is closed. Virtual libraries contain hundreds of thousands of electronic books, electronic journals, electronic databases and encyclopedias. Access to these resources is available over the internet, on-campus and/or off-campus. [41]

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International perspective

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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.[47][48]

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Notable people

See also: List of Ankara University rectors

Faculty

Notable alumni

Main category: Ankara University alumni
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See also

References

External links

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