Selcuk University

Selcuk University Overview

Selçuk University, located in Konya, Turkey, has a rich history dating back to 1955. The idea of establishing a university in Konya was first discussed during this year, leading to the preparation of a draft law in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). Although the draft law received signatures from over half of the members of parliament, it failed to pass the National Education Commission.

In 1962, Konya took its first major step towards having a university by establishing the Selçuk Education Institute and the Higher Islamic Institute under the Ministry of National Education. To strengthen and develop this progress, the University Establishment and Preservation Association of Konya was founded in 1968. The Engineering and Architecture College, which serves as the nucleus of today's Engineering and Architecture Faculty, was established. Despite lacking a building, facilities, staff, and budget, thanks to the University Establishment and Preservation Association, this College started its services in the building of the Children's Protection Foundation (Gazi High School) in the 1970-1971 academic year. It received the title of Konya State Architecture Engineering Academy under Article 9 of Law No. 1418 on July 5, 1971.

The transition from these three schools to the actual university occurred in 1975. On April 1, 1975, the Turkish Grand National Assembly approved Law No. 1873, published in the Official Gazette on April 11, 1975, which aimed to establish four universities in the country, including Selçuk University. In the 1976-1977 academic year, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Literature, with seven departments, 327 students, and two full-time faculty members, began their activities.

A significant breakthrough for Selçuk University occurred in 1982. With Decree Law No. 41 issued on July 20, 1982, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Literature, which formed the core of the university, merged to establish the Faculty of Science and Literature. Additionally, the Selçuk Higher Teacher Training School transformed into the Faculty of Education, the Konya State Architecture Engineering Academy became the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, the Konya Higher Islamic Institute became the Faculty of Theology, and the faculties of Law, Medicine, Agriculture, and Veterinary Medicine were established. The Health, Science, and Social Sciences Institutes were also founded. Other changes included transforming the Foreign Languages School into the Konya Vocational School and establishing the Niğde Vocational School in Niğde. The Girls' Fine Arts Teacher Training School was converted into the Girls' Fine Arts Education School, and the Niğde Education Institute became the Education School. With Decree Law No. 41, the university suddenly reached the level of eight faculties, four vocational schools, and three institutes.

Today, Selçuk University boasts 23 faculties, 1 State Conservatory, 6 vocational schools, 22 vocational high schools, 6 institutes, and 25 research and application centers. It has a student population of up to 70,000, making it one of the top-ranking universities in Turkey, thanks to its sprawling campus, one of the largest in the country.

In terms of social activities, Selçuk University organizes the Selçuk University Spring Festival, a six-day event that includes the commemoration of Atatürk, Youth, and Sports Day, every May. The university also holds the "Welcome Festival" at the beginning of each academic year, a "New Year Concert" in late December, and "Sports Festivals" in May. Additionally, the campus facilities include a grass football field with a covered stand, an indoor Olympic swimming pool, three indoor sports halls, two basketball courts, and two tennis courts, all available for students on the Alaaddin Keykubat Campus.