Bursa Uludag University

Bursa Uludag University Overview

Bursa Uludag University (BUU) is a higher education institution with a rich history and a diverse range of academic programs. Established on April 11, 1975, initially under the name "Bursa University," it later adopted the name "Uludag University" in 1982. In 2018, the institution officially became "Bursa Uludağ University" and currently comprises 15 faculties, 2 vocational schools, 15 vocational colleges, 1 conservatory, 4 institutes, 27 research and application centers, and 5 departments under the rectorate.

The university's roots can be traced back to the establishment of the "Bursa School of Medicine" in 1970, which was affiliated with Istanbul University. The idea of founding a university in Bursa emerged in 1969 when intellectuals and businesspeople felt the need for a higher education institution due to the city's industrial and population growth resulting from the establishment of the Bursa Organized Industrial Zone in 1960. The first decision was to establish a medical faculty.

The Bursa School of Medicine began its education in 1970 within the Capa Faculty of Medicine at Istanbul University, with 50 students. The first dean of the faculty was Fikret Karaca. After the repair of the Bursa Chest Hospital (now the Yüksek İhtisas Hospital) assigned for its use, the faculty continued its education in Bursa from May 1974. Until then, 50 students were admitted annually under the name of Bursa School of Medicine and received education at the Istanbul Faculty. During the same period, the Bursa University Foundation Association selected a suitable area for establishing a university, known as Gorukle, located at the 17th kilometer on the İzmir road. The necessary expropriation processes were carried out, and the foundation stone of the School of Medicine Hospital was laid in 1976.

At least two faculties were required for the establishment of a university. Therefore, in 1974, the establishment of the "Bursa Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences" with 100 students in the additional building of the Agriculture School fulfilled this requirement. On April 1, 1975, the Law on the Establishment of Four Universities, which was passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and published in the Official Gazette on April 11, 1975, led to the establishment of Bursa University.

Initially, the university started with 2 faculties, 20 faculty members, and 250 students under the name "Bursa University." Omer Fethi Tezok, who had been serving as the dean of the School of Medicine, was selected as the founding rector.

In 1982, when higher education institutions were restructured under the Council of Higher Education (YOK), Bursa University was among the universities whose names were changed. On July 20, 1982, the name of the university was changed to "Uludağ University" through Decree Law No. 41 on the Organization of Higher Education Institutions. Nihat Balkır became the founding rector of Uludağ University, replacing Bursa University.

On May 18, 2018, with the Law No. 7141 published in the Official Gazette No. 30425, the name of the university became "Bursa Uludağ University."

The emblem of the university was chosen by the founding rector, Ömer Fethi Tezok. It features an eight-pointed star geometric pattern found on the railing of the Sultan's lodge in the Green Mosque, symbolizing the assumption that there would be eight faculties in the future. The emblem's color was determined as turquoise blue, representing the unique color of İznik tiles.

Over the years, the university has expanded its academic offerings. The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (1976), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (1978), Faculty of Agriculture (1981), Faculty of Education (1982, merged with the Bursa Higher Teacher Training School and the School of Foreign Languages), Faculty of Theology (1982), Faculty of Arts and Sciences (1983), Faculty of Law (2007), and Faculty of Fine Arts (2007) were successively established. The Faculty of Dentistry, planned to be established by the Council of Ministers in 1995, started admitting students in the 2020-2021 academic year.