How about a journey back to 1983? That’s when Akdeniz Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi first opened its doors. It became the university’s second faculty in Antalya.
Here we are at the Ziraat Fakültesi 1. Blok. It is more than just a building. It is a place of agricultural education and innovation.
Instruction began in the 1984-1985 academic year. The Bahçe Bitkileri Bölümü welcomed its first students.
Today the Ziraat Fakültesi has become one of Turkey’s leading agricultural faculties. This is due to its modern education programs. It also has constantly developing research facilities. Its contribution to scientific knowledge is significant. Its success in international relations is remarkable.
The faculty consists of nine departments. These are Bahçe Bitkileri and Bitki Koruma. Others include Tarım Ekonomisi and Tarımsal Biyoteknoloji. There is also Tarım Makinaları ve Teknolojileri Mühendisliği. The faculty also includes Tarımsal Yapılar ve Sulama. Further departments are Tarla Bitkileri and Toprak Bilimi ve Bitki Besleme. Finally there is Zootekni.
Currently the faculty has 100 academic staff. There is one instructor and twelve research assistants. Forty administrative personnel work here. Eighteen permanent workers support the faculty. The total student number is around 1800.
The Ziraat Fakültesi offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These include master’s and doctoral degrees. Bachelor’s programs include Bahçe Bitkileri and Bitki Koruma. Also offered are Toprak Bilimi ve Bitki Besleme and Zootekni. Students are admitted based on their YKS SAY scores.
Education takes place in five buildings. All classrooms have projectors and internet. The Ziraat Fakültesi engages in scientific research. It focuses on regional agriculture. It also conducts application and experimental studies. The faculty has research land. Its laboratory equipment is quite good. It prioritizes the use of new agricultural technologies. This helps with product development. It also supports sustainable agriculture.
The Ziraat Fakültesi has various laboratories. They support research and application. They also do analysis and experiments. These labs support education and research. They also serve the regional agriculture and related industries.
The faculty has two research farms. One is on campus. The other is in Aksu. The campus farm has open and covered production areas. It has animal facilities for livestock and poultry. Workshops are also present. The farm produces tomatoes and peppers. It also grows cucumbers and watermelons. Winter vegetables and sweet potatoes are cultivated here. Daily milk and yogurt are produced. They also make cream and local white cheese. Quail eggs are also produced.
The Aksu farm is 20 km from Antalya. It is approximately 1000 decares in size. This farm cultivates wheat and corn. It grows feed crops. Fruit is also grown here.
Three research centers are directly linked to the faculty. These are the Agricultural Biotechnology and Seed Research Center. There is also the Remote Sensing Research and Application Center. Finally there is the Clean Energy Research and Application Center.
The Ziraat Fakültesi aims to educate creative individuals. They should be equipped in agricultural engineering. It offers modern education programs. It contributes to science and technology. It also produces knowledge-based goods and services.
The vision is to be a distinguished agricultural faculty. It should be recognized internationally. It promotes sustainable practices. It also protects biodiversity and natural resources. It integrates with the local community.
The quality policy focuses on agricultural issues. It aims to train agricultural engineers. These engineers should have the vision to solve problems. The faculty prioritizes continuous improvement. It values the satisfaction of its staff. It strives to be recognized nationally and internationally.
So as you stand here before Ziraat Fakültesi 1. Blok remember its history. It is a center of learning. It has contributed significantly to agriculture in Turkey.