“Economics Faculty: Istanbul’s academic cornerstone”. Founded on December 14 1936 the \u0130ktisadi Idari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi is Turkey’s first institution named Economics Faculty.
The \u0130ktisadi Idari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi is located within Istanbul University’s Beyazıt Campus. Istanbul University is the country’s oldest and largest educational institution dating back to 1453. The Economics Faculty adds to this rich history.
In its early years the \u0130ktisadi Idari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi benefited from distinguished scholars. These included German Jewish scientists escaping Nazi Germany before World War II. Umberto Ricci Joseph Dobretsberger and Wilhelm Röpke were among them. Fritz Neumark Alexander Rüstow Alfred Isaac and Gerhard Kessler also contributed.
The \u0130ktisadi Idari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi started instruction on March 4 1937 with 118 students. Its first graduates emerged at the end of the 1939-1940 academic year. Adnan Altay Özbek received the first diploma and Fatma Zehra Bereket was the first female graduate.
Alumni established the Economics Faculty Alumni Association on March 1 1943. Later the Istanbul University Economics Faculty Alumni and Members Foundation was founded on November 13 1986.
Many departments constitute the \u0130ktisadi Idari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi today. These include English Economics Economics Labour Economics and Industrial Relations. There is also Finance Econometrics Political Science and International Relations. Business Administration Tourism Management and Management Information Systems are present.
Some departments stopped admitting students for a while. These were Political Science and International Relations Tourism Management and Business Administration. They began again in the 2005-2006 academic year. As of 2020-2021 Finance and Business Administration introduced 30% English instruction.
The Economics Faculty Library’s roots trace back to 1934. It started as part of the Institute of Economics and Social Studies Library within Istanbul University’s Faculty of Law. When the Economics Faculty formed two years later the library continued. It operated from a single room. In 1981 it moved to its current location.
In 2006 Asım Kocabıyık an alumnus renovated the library. He did this through the Asım Kocabıyık Culture Education Foundation. The renovation expanded the library’s space and added a seminar room. The foundation also supported collection development.
The library’s collection includes valuable antique works acquired for Istanbul Darülfünun in 1918. Early on the library expanded through inter-faculty book provision. By 1946 the initial collection of 4000 works had doubled. Today it holds 60000 books and 15000 periodical volumes.
Many prominent figures are graduates of the \u0130ktisadi Idari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi. Abdullah Gül the 11th President of Turkey is one such alumnus. Ufuk Uras an economist and politician also graduated from here.
The Economics Faculty Alumni Association also known as IFMC is active. Vahap Adıyaman currently leads the association. Its headquarters are in Istanbul’s Taksim. The association publishes a scientific journal called Economics. It also has a periodic bulletin named Karınca for alumni communication.
The \u0130ktisadi Idari Bilimler Fak\u00fcltesi stands as a testament to Istanbul’s commitment to economic education. Its history its library and its notable alumni contribute to its legacy.