Gazing upon Marmara University today, can you believe its story began humbly in a house? It was 1883. The institution started as Hamidiye Ticaret Mekteb-i Âlisi. This translates to the Hamidiye School of Higher Commercial Studies. It aimed to boost commerce, agriculture, forestry and mining.
Marmara University’s initial class graduated 13 students in 1887. For a while the school was affiliated with the Education Ministry. However it closed briefly in 1893 for reforms. It reopened in 1897.
Fast forward to 1959. The school transformed into the Istanbul Economic and Commercial Sciences Academy. Then in 1982 a pivotal change occurred. The academy officially became Marmara University. It joined the ranks of Turkish higher education institutions.
Marmara University started with nine faculties, one school, and one institute in 1982. Today Marmara University boasts 16 faculties, nine schools, and 11 institutes. Marmara University offers 199 associate and degree courses. Around 3000 academic staff support over 70000 students.
What makes Marmara University unique? It’s Turkey’s only multilingual university. Instruction happens in Turkish, English, German, French, and Arabic. This international focus attracts students from 73 countries.
Marmara University has many campuses spread across Istanbul. These include Göztepe Main Campus and Acıbadem Campus. There is also Anadoluhisarı Campus and Bağlarbaşı Campus. Kartal Campus, Mehmet Genç Campus, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Maltepe Campus are also important. Don’t forget Sultanahmet Campus and Pendik Marmara University Hospital.
Marmara University’s faculties cover a wide range of disciplines. These are the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry. Also the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences are very popular. The Atatürk Faculty of Education is well-known. Further options are the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Communication should be mentioned. The Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Technology and the Faculty of Health Education are also part of it.
Marmara University actively engages in international collaborations. It is a member of the European University Association. Engineering and technical education faculties pursue international accreditation through ABET. The Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences seeks EQUIS accreditation.
Many notable people attended Marmara University. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan graduated from the Faculty of Economics. Comic actor Kemal Sunal studied at the Institute of Social Sciences. Former media mogul Aydın Doğan is also an alumnus of Marmara University.
Marmara University encourages sports and leisure. The Directorate of Health, Culture, and Sports organizes activities for students and staff. The Göztepe Campus features a sports hall. It offers facilities for basketball, volleyball, and fitness. The Anadoluhisarı Campus provides a swimming pool, mini golf and athletics track.
Marmara University continues to evolve. It adapts to the demands of the information age. The university contributes to technology and workforce development in Turkey. Its education approach seeks solutions to economic, political and cultural problems.