# Abdullah Gül University

Abdullah Gül University (AGU) is a public university located in Kayseri, Turkey. Inaugurated in 2010, AGU offers 12 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs through its five schools. The university is one of only four public universities in Turkey, alongside Middle East Technical University, Boğaziçi University and İzmir Institute of Technology, where the medium of instruction is English. AGU opened its doors to students for the 2013–2014 academic year. The university’s main campus, Sümer Campus, serves as the primary hub for academic and student activities.
In 2022, AGU was ranked in the world's top 300 universities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, recognizing its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. AGU placed 29th globally in the Quality Education category and achieved high scores in Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Partnerships for the Goals. AGU also ranked first among Turkish public universities in the National University Satisfaction Survey and has held this position for three consecutive years. In the WURI 2023 Global Innovative Universities Ranking, AGU ranked 15th globally, becoming the only university from Turkey to make it to the list.

## History

The initial steps toward establishing Abdullah Gül University were taken in 2007 through the joint efforts of the Kayseri City Council and influential figures within the community. This initiative aimed to enhance the standard of higher education in Kayseri, aligning with the city’s vision for development. Named after Abdullah Gül, the 11th President of the Republic of Turkey, the university received his endorsement to carry his name. This dedication reflects AGU’s mission to grow into a leading institution within Turkey and to compete at an international level. Abdullah Gül University was formally founded on 21 July 2010, distinguishing itself as Turkey’s first philanthropic foundation-supported public university. AGU welcomed its first class of students in the 2013–2014 academic year. The campus is located on the grounds of Turkey’s first industrial complex, a site of historical significance that is now repurposed as a center for higher education.
The AGU Foundation, established on 13 July 2011, focuses on providing financial incentives to high-achieving students, offering economic, cultural, and social support for university staff, and funding advancements in the university’s physical, technical, and technological infrastructure. These efforts are dedicated to fostering improvements in education, research, and practical applications. The founding rector of Abdullah Gül University is İhsan Sabuncuoğlu, who previously worked at Bilkent University and Carnegie Mellon University.
The AGU Foundation is supported by a prominent group of leaders and entities in Turkey, bringing together key figures from various industries. Abdullah Gül, the 11th President of the Republic of Turkey, serves as the Honorary President of the Foundation. Mustafa Çıkrıkçıoğlu acts as the President of the Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Trustees include influential individuals including Ahmet Kamil Erciyas, Dr. Ali Doğramacı, Ali Kibar of Kibar Holding, Bekir Yıldız, Emin Bayraktar, Güler Sabancı of Sabancı Holding, Halit Narin, Hamdi Akın, Hüseyin Bayraktar, Izzet Bayraktar, Mehmet Özhaseki, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sayım Tekelioğlu, Memduh Büyükkılıç, Murat Dedeman, Mustafa Çelik, Mustafa Çıkrıkçıoğlu, Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu of TOBB, Süleyman Çetinsaya, Taner Yıldız, Tuncay Özilhan, and Yaşar Küçükçalık. The Board of Directors includes figures such as Ali İsmail Sabancı of Esas Holding, Dr. Candan Karlıtekin, Hamdi Akın of Akfen Holding, Mehmet Macit Gül, Mustafa Çıkrıkçıoğlu, and Süleyman Çetinsaya of Çetinsaya Group. The Foundation's Supervisory Board is composed of Emin Bayraktar, Hüseyin Bayraktar, and Tuncay Özilhan of Anadolu Group. Honorary members include business leaders and significant contributors such as Ahmet Hamdi Akın, Ahmet Kibar, Ali İsmail Sabancı, Erman Ilıcak, Ferit Şahenk of Doğuş Holding, Halit Cıngıllıoğlu, Turgay Ciner of Ciner Group, Sema Cıngıllıoğlu, the Kadir Has Foundation, Kayseri Organized Industrial Zone, TAV Tepe Akfen Investments, and the Vehbi Koç Foundation. These members and institutions contribute their support to the AGU Foundation.
Abdullah Gül University defines itself as a 3rd generation university with a distinct focus on social benefit. Historically, the first universities, known as 1st Generation Universities, were established during the Middle Ages. Bologna, founded in 1158, and Paris, established in 1200, were among the earliest examples, focusing on fields such as theology, law, and medicine. In the 19th century, a new model of university emerged, known as Humboldtian universities, which emphasized research and took an elite approach. These institutions prioritized single-discipline research, distinguishing them as 2nd Generation Universities. Responding to contemporary needs, 3rd Generation Universities adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating education, research, and innovation to address societal challenges. This model, as described by Prof. J.G. Wissema of Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, functions as "a knowledge network that offers scientific and technical solutions to societal needs at the intersection of education, research, and innovation," with a strong emphasis on industry collaboration.

## Campus

Abdullah Gül University's Sümer Campus is a significant redevelopment project that repurposes a historic industrial site. The former Sümerbank Kayseri Fabric Factory, built in 1935 by Russian architect Ivan Sergeevich Nikolaev, was a key component of Turkey's early industrialization. The Sümerbank Kayseri Fabric Factory was established with a loan of 8.5 million Turkish Liras from the Soviet Union and the help of Soviet experts invited to Turkey by Prime Minister İsmet İnönü. The foundation of the factory was laid on May 20, 1934, and the design of the buildings was completed in Moscow. Constructed through Turkish-Soviet cooperation, the factory was completed in 16 months and opened on September 16, 1935, by Prime Minister İsmet İnönü.
In May 2012, the factory was allocated to Abdullah Gül University, and the transfer was completed on June 15, 2012. Since accepting its first students in 2013, AGU has been providing education in the Sümerbank Kayseri Fabric Factory, a key site in modern architectural heritage and an iconic industrial complex. The Sümer Campus is being restored in successive stages and is being transformed into a social-cultural center in direct communication and interaction with the city center. The campus not only serves educational and research purposes but is also undergoing a transformation that will include social and cultural spaces, connecting the university with the wider community. The campus, spanning over 340 acres of open space and 80 acres of built-up area, is one of Turkey's largest redevelopment projects. Designed by Aga Khan Award for Architecture and RIBA International Award winner Emre Arolat, the campus harmoniously blends historical elements with modern functionality. It was recognized internationally, winning the first prize in the Education Buildings category at the 2012 World Architecture Festival. The Sümer Campus is an example of industrial heritage repurposed for education. It serves as a testament to Turkey's industrial past and its commitment to sustainable development and innovation. Incorporated into the campus, the Sümer Evleri residential area is a nearby development situated close to the Kayseri City Courthouse, Kayseri Chief Police Department, Kayseri Tax Directorate, Sümer Sports Centre, and Sümer Tennis Courts. Known for its well-planned urban design, the area is primarily inhabited by faculty and local residents of Kayseri, and is surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants, and public parks.
Abdullah Gül University also houses the Abdullah Gül Presidential Museum and Library, a significant cultural and historical landmark on the campus. The transformation of two buildings, the Electric Power Plant and the Steam Power Plant, into a museum and library complex began in 2013. The decision to repurpose these buildings was made to create a space that would host educational and administrative facilities. The Steam Power Plant, in particular, was converted into a modern information center, closely connected to the museum’s library and archival space. The exhibition design and curation were executed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, ensuring a compelling and informative experience for all who visit. The presidential museum and library opened by President Gül, serves as a significant repository of Turkey’s political history. It presents the political evolution of Turkey, providing visitors with a view of the country’s journey through various challenges and transformations.
The museum emphasizes the importance of reflecting on both the difficult and positive moments in Turkey's history. The museum is divided into nine sections, with themes such as "A Life Shaped by Democracy," and includes materials for academic research, such as documents, photographs, and historical records. It aims to serve scholars and visitors interested in Turkey’s democratic history. The Abdullah Gül Presidential Museum and Library is one of the few thematic museums and libraries in Turkey, contributing to the understanding of the political and democratic developments in the country.

## Academics

The Abdullah Gül University currently has 12 Bachelor's of Science, 6 Master's of Science & 5 Doctoral programs organized into 5 schools:
* School of Engineering: Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering (B.Sc), Electrical & Electronics Engineering (B.Sc), Industrial Engineering (B.Sc), Mechanical Engineering (B.Sc), Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (M.Sc), Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering (PhD), Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Sc and PhD), Industrial Engineering (M.Sc and PhD), Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Engineering (M.Sc)
* School of Architecture: Architecture (B.Sc, M.Sc & PhD)
* School of Leadership and Management: Business Administration (B.Sc), Economics (B.Sc)
* School of Life and Natural Sciences: Molecular Biology and Genetic (B.Sc), Bioengineering (B.Sc, M.Sc & PhD)
* School of Humanities and Social Sciences: Political Science and Public Administration (B.Sc), Psychology (B.Sc)
* AGU School of Languages (AGUSL): Freshman AGU students whose English proficiency is not sufficient to enroll at the faculty level have the opportunity to complete AGUSL's one-year English preparatory program before joining their faculty courses. The AGUSL also offers all students the opportunity to gain some familiarity with a second foreign language that has world significance.

## Centers and institutes

AGU Youth Factory is a youth center focused on producing knowledge and transforming it into valuable outcomes for the future. The center collaborates with various national and international partners to achieve its objectives. Key partners include Sabancı University, Koç University, Ashoka Foundation, the Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, the Kayseri Chamber of Industry, the Goethe Institute, American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the Robert Bosch Foundation, APCO Worldwide, and Youth For Understanding.
AGU Academy provides continuous education and international certification services to a wide range of age groups. It focuses on areas such as management, financial literacy, marketing, and human resources. Additionally, AGU Academy serves as a certified SAT Test Center, offering students the opportunity to take the SAT exam as part of their academic development. As a recognized test center, AGU offers a range of standardized testing services, including the TOEFL iBT, SAT, and GRE. AGU Children’s University supports gifted children through specialized training courses and extra-curricular activities aimed at nurturing their talents and potential. The Research and Development Office, in collaboration with Kayseri Teknopark and the Technology Transfer Office, assists researchers in proposal writing, finding research partners, and securing funding, while also offering training sessions on topics like funding programs, intellectual property rights, and entrepreneurship.

## International perspective and collaborations

Abdullah Gül University is the first public university in Turkey to offer the Pearson Higher National Diploma to its students. AGU has established a wide network of international partnerships and bilateral agreements with universities across the globe. These collaborations focus on academic exchanges, research cooperation, and student and staff mobility. In the United States, AGU has agreements with institutions such as the University of California, Irvine, IIT College of Architecture, University of Central Florida, Central Washington University, Salem State University, and Missouri University of Science and Technology. In South Korea, AGU partners with the University of Ulsan, Catholic University of Korea, Incheon National University, SolBridge International School of Business, Woosong University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Dong-A University, and Sogang University. AGU also has several partnerships in Taiwan, including Shih Chien University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National University of Kaohsiung, National Quemoy University, University of Taipei, and Providence University.
In Europe, AGU has established numerous collaborations with universities in various countries. In the Netherlands, AGU partners with Maastricht School of Management and Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences. In Ireland, AGU has a partnership with Dorset College. In France, AGU collaborates with ESC Rennes School of Business, University of Technology of Troyes, University of Nantes, ECAM EPMI, Leonardo da Vinci University Center, and INSA Toulouse. AGU’s German partnerships include Hof University, SRH University Heidelberg, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, FH Münster, Deggendorf Institute of Technology, and Clausthal University of Technology. In Greece, AGU partners with the University of West Attica, Hellenic Mediterranean University, University of the Aegean, National Technical University of Athens, and University of Ioannina. In Hungary, AGU collaborates with Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Budapest Metropolitan University. In Italy, AGU has partnerships with Politecnico di Milano, University of Bergamo, University of Naples Federico II, and University of Minho. AGU also has significant agreements in Spain, including with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Camilo José Cela University, University of Murcia, University of Seville, and Polytechnic University of Cartagena. Other European collaborations include those with Universidade de Coimbra in Portugal.
Abdullah Gül University is a member of the Q$^n$ University Alliance, a network of academic institutions dedicated to fostering global collaboration and enhancing educational opportunities. This alliance includes University of Urbino, Valencian International University, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra, University of Galați, Aalen University, EDC Paris Business School, and European University of Tirana.
Rector Prof. Dr. İhsan Sabuncuoğlu officially signed the Magna Charta Universitatum Charter on behalf of the university during the Ceremony in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Signature of the Magna Charta Universitatum, held in Salamanca, Spain. Abdullah Gül University has hosted several international conferences and workshops, fostering academic collaboration and addressing important global issues. The first International Plasma Technologies Congress was held at AGU, bringing together researchers and practitioners from around the world to explore plasma technologies and their applications. The university also hosted the first International Symposium on Youth Employment Challenges, in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of EU, and the SALTO Euromed Resource Center. This event aimed to promote cross-sector cooperation for the future of youth employment, engaging representatives from the educational, private, and public sectors. Additionally, AGU organized the International Workshop "Cultural Heritage on the Road: The Caravanserais of Turkey," which attracted scholars and students from eight different countries. The workshop focused on the research, restoration, and preservation of caravanserais in Turkey, offering a comprehensive assessment of the work conducted in recent decades.