Here at Istanbul Technical University stands the Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi. It’s a place where the future is being engineered. Let’s take a walk through its history.
The story of Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi began in 1926. It started as the Mechanical and Electrical Institute. This was part of Istanbul University’s Faculty of Science.
In 1934 the institute became part of today’s Istanbul Technical University. It was then known as the Electro-Mechanic Division. This marked the official start of the Electrical Engineering Department. The first graduates emerged in 1936. They were students adopted from Istanbul Dar-ül Fünun.
A significant development occurred in 1935. The Communications Division was established. This met the demand for engineers by the PTT. PTT was the Postal Telephone and Telegraph Corporation. Ord. Prof. M. Emin Kalmuk became the Division Head.
In 1937 the Electric Division merged. It joined with the Communications Division. The Electrical Communications Division was born. A year later in 1938 it was renamed the Electric Department.
The Master of Engineering College became Istanbul Technical University in 1944. The department then became the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. It had two subdivisions. One was High Current for electrical power engineering. The other was Low Current for electronics and communications engineering.
Students studied for five years. They graduated with an MSc degree. In 1969 the study period decreased to four years for BSc degrees. MSc degrees required two years after the undergraduate program.
ITU Maçka Technical School was established in 1954. In 1972 it became the Engineering Faculty. The electrical branch became the Electrical Engineering Department. In 1982 ITU Electrical Faculty joined with ITU Maçka Electrical Faculty.
The ITU Electrical Engineering Faculty evolved. The Low Current Branch became the Electronics and Communications Engineering Department. The High Current Branch became the Electrical Engineering Department. The Control and Computer Engineering Department was established. In 1983 the divisions merged. The faculty was renamed the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Restructuring in 1996 reorganized syllabuses. The Computer Engineering Department was established in 1998. In 1999 the Control and Command Systems Department reorganized within the Electrical Engineering Department. New programs like Electronics Engineering and Telecommunication Engineering started in 2001. The first graduates were in 2005.
Electronics Engineering and Telecommunication Engineering Programs merged in 2010. They formed the undergraduate program of Electronics and Communication Engineering. As of 2014 the Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi admitted students to three programs. These were Electrical Engineering. Electronics and Communication Engineering. Control and Automation Engineering.
By 2014 the Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi had graduated 14160 students since 1945. In 2008 the Control Engineering Department was founded. The undergraduate program was renamed Control and Automation Engineering in 2014. The Computer Engineering Department became a separate faculty in 2010. It was named the Faculty of Computer and Informatics.
The Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi once had four divisions. These covered electronics communications electromagnetics and circuits. Electrical Engineering had electrical installations and machines. Control Engineering had control and automation. In 2009 these merged into three departments.
Graduate programs are organized within the ITU Graduate School of Science Engineering and Technology. These include Electrical Engineering. Also, Electronics and Communication Engineering. And Control and Automation Engineering.
In 2002 undergraduate and graduate programs were reorganized. Today the Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi offers many programs. These cover electrical electronics telecommunications control and biomedical engineering. Interdisciplinary programs include mechatronics satellite communication and railway systems engineering.
Since 2014 there’s been an international joint dual degree program. It’s with the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Students earn degrees from both ITU and NJIT.
ABET evaluated and accredited the undergraduate programs in 2005. Electrical Engineering and Control Engineering received full accreditation in 2011.
The Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi stands as a beacon of innovation. It is a testament to Turkey’s commitment to engineering excellence. Its history is rich. Its future is bright. The Elektrik Elektronik Fakültesi continues to shape the world.