Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University

Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Overview

During the period of modernization in the Ottoman Empire, a piece of land that had been a home to numerous educational institutions and was under the ownership of the Sultan II. Bayezid-i Veli Foundation, saw a significant transformation. This land was entrusted to the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge (İlim Yayma Vakfı) with the purpose of establishing a university. In the year 2010, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University came into existence as a private university under the provisions of Law No. 2547 on Higher Education for foundation higher education institutions, all thanks to the efforts of the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge.

This site, which once served as both a place of learning and teaching for Mehmed Âkif, has evolved into the present-day Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. A notable facet of this transformation is the dining hall that Mehmed Âkif and his companions frequented, now known as the Mehmed Âkif Ersoy Foyer Hall at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. This space is adorned with elaborate decorations, including verses from the Turkish National Anthem and a prominent portrait of Âkif himself, gracing the inner doorway and its immediate surroundings.

The founding and ongoing operation of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University within this historically significant site demonstrate the continuity of education and knowledge dissemination. The university's connection to Mehmed Âkif Ersoy, a prominent figure known for his contributions to literature and his involvement in education, adds a layer of cultural and intellectual significance to its existence.