# Balıkesir University

39°32′28″N 28°00′31″E﻿ / ﻿39.541039°N 28.008690°E﻿ / 39.541039; 28.008690
Balıkesir University (Turkish: Balıkesir Üniversitesi) is a public university in Balıkesir, Turkey. It was established in 1992.

## History

The roots of Balikesir University date back to Karesi Teacher Training School, which was established in 1910. Balikesir State Engineering Academy, Balikesir Management and Tourism Vocational School and Balikesir Vocational School started educational facilities in 1975-1976 and this marked an important step for the establishment of the university. These establishments changed their names and status and they were made to continue their educational facilities under the name of Uludag University in 1982 with the decree law numbered 41. Necati Education Institute became a four-year “High Teacher Training School” in 1981 and then in 1982, this institution was renamed Necatibey Education Faculty.
In the same way, the name of Balikesir Business Administration and Hotel Management Vocational School was changed as Balikesir School of Tourism and Hotel Management and the name of two–year Balikesir Vocational School remained the same. These institutions, which operated under the name of Uludağ University for ten years, have established a firm infrastructure for Balikesir University through a healthy and stable development. Balikesir University was established in accordance with the law dated 11 June 1992, numbered 3837 published in official journal numbered 21281. Since January 1, 1993, Balikesir University has maintained its activities.
After the legal establishment of Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University in 2015, the Faculties of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Maritime Studies, Health Sciences in Bandırma, the Gönen Geothermic Institute and the vocational schools in Bandırma, Erdek, Manyas and Gönen were transferred from Balıkesir University to the Bandırma 17 Eylül University.

## Campuses
### Çağış Campus

The units listed below are on the main Çağış Campus on the outskirts of the city. Buses and minibuses provide regular services to Çağış Campus from the city center between the hours 07:00 and 23:00.
* Rectorate building, with administrative departments
* Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
* Faculty of Sciences and Arts
* School of Tourism and Hotel Management
* Balıkesir Vocational School
* Central Library
* Main Sports Hall
* Graduate School of Science
* Graduate School of Social Sciences

### NEF Campus

NEF Campus, in the center of the town, was the original site of the university. These units are on this campus:
* Education Faculty
* School of Physical Education and Sports Teaching
* NEF Conference Hall
* Halil İnalcık Conference Hall
* Sports Hall
* University Fitness Center
* Outdoor sports facilities
* Continuing Education Center (BAUSEM)

## Faculties

* Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
* Necatibey Education Faculty
* Faculty of Medicine
* Faculty of Science and Literature
* Faculty of Fine Arts
* Balikesir Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences

### Vocational Schools

* Ayvalık Vocational School
* Havran Vocational School
* Burhaniye Vocational School
* Balıkesir Vocational School
* Sındırgı Vocational School
* Bigadiç Vocational School
* Dursunbey Vocational School
* Susurluk Vocational School
* Savaştepe Vocational School
* Edremit Vocational School
* Altınoluk Mes.Y.O.

## Rectors

* 1992-1994: Prof. Dr. Asım Yücel
* 1994-1998: Prof. Dr. Aydın Okcu
* 1998-2002: Prof. Dr. Necdet Hacıoğlu
* 2002-06: Prof. Dr. Necdet Hacıoğlu
* 2006-10: Prof. Dr. Şerif Saylan
* 2010-14: Prof. Dr. Mahir Alkan
* 2014-18: Prof. Dr. Kerim Özdemir
* 2018-present: Prof. Dr. İlter Kuş

## Notable alumni

* Yasemin Adar, Turkish female freestyle wrestler
* Tuna Aktürk, ex Vice-Mayor of Balıkesir Mayority and Balıkesirspor President
* Halil İnalcık, Historian of Ottoman Empire
* Muharrem İnce, Member of Turkish Parliament
* Gülşah Kocatürk, Turkish female judoka
* İsmail Özgün, Turkish politician
* Ümit Sonkol, Türk Telekom B.K. basketball player