Ataturk University

Ataturk University Overview

Nestled in the picturesque city of Erzurum, Atatürk University emerges as an emblem of educational heritage, founded in the year 1957. As a venerable institution, it proudly claims its position as Turkey's seventh-oldest university, signifying a journey rooted in academic excellence and progress. (The university holds the distinction of being the sixth-oldest based on the publication date of its Establishment Law in the Official Gazette.)

Stretching across an expansive 6.5 million square meters of open space and encompassing an additional 1 million square meters of indoor facilities, Atatürk University's campus is conveniently located 1.5 to 2 km away from the heart of Erzurum city. This sprawling landscape, covering a significant portion of the Erzurum plain, solidifies the university's reputation as the second-largest campus in Turkey and holds the distinction of being the country's inaugural meticulously planned campus.

Central to its identity is the university hospital, a vital healthcare hub catering to the needs of both Eastern Anatolia and the Eastern Black Sea regions. Parallelly, the Faculty of Dentistry Hospital plays an equally pivotal role in attending to patients from 14 provinces and districts in Eastern Anatolia and the Eastern Black Sea region. The university takes pride in nurturing prominent healthcare centers within its institution, contributing significantly to regional healthcare provisions.

The historical trajectory of Atatürk University traces back to the early years of the Turkish Republic. In the spirit of representing Turkey's diverse regions, a proposal for a university in the east, specifically in the city of Erzurum, gained momentum. This visionary idea, initially articulated by the Republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, during his inaugural speech to the Turkish Grand National Assembly on November 1, 1937, saw fruition nearly a decade later due to the onset of World War II.

The initiative was reignited in 1950, ultimately leading to the establishment of Atatürk University. A commission of 15 members, selected from Ankara University, Istanbul University, and Istanbul Technical University, formulated plans for a university situated in various locations across Eastern Turkey. In 1954, Law No. 6373 designated the name "Atatürk University" and the city "Erzurum" as its center. This transformative journey culminated with the enactment of Law No. 6990 on June 7, 1957.

Informed by successful American models, a delegation from the United States recommended the creation of a "Land Grant" type university. Subsequently, a vast expanse of 43,000 acres was allocated for the university's establishment in Erzurum. The campus design emerged through an international design competition in 1955, won by a team led by architects Hayati Tabanlıoğlu, Enver Tokay, Ayhan Tayman, and Behruz Çinici. The cornerstone of the university was laid on July 23, 1957, marking the 38th anniversary of the Erzurum Congress, by the President and Prime Minister of the time. Construction continued between 1955 and 1970.

Atatürk University embarked on its educational journey on November 17, 1958, commencing classes within the Şair Nef-i Middle School building. With the initiation of the academic year 2005-2006, the university's growth became evident, boasting a student body of 41,613, a faculty of 2,439, 17 faculties, 20 vocational schools, 6 institutes, 16 research centers, and a thriving alumni community of over 100,000 graduates. The university library, enriched by the generous donation of books by Seyfettin Özege, houses a distinguished collection and features a special hall in his honor.

As of the academic year 2021-2022, Atatürk University has been home to a diverse student body, including 12,158 associate degree students, 36,195 undergraduate students, 7,170 graduate students, and 2,599 doctoral candidates, totaling 58,122 learners. Reflecting its commitment to excellence, the university has nurtured a dynamic academic faculty comprising 641 professors, 329 associate professors, 596 doctors, 305 lecturers, and 889 research assistants, culminating in a comprehensive academic team of 2,760 members as of 2022.