Boğaziçi University

Boğaziçi University, also known as Bosphorus University, is a major research university in Istanbul, Turkey. Its main campus is located on the European side of the Bosphorus strait. It has six faculties and two schools offering undergraduate degrees, and six institutes offering graduate degrees. Traditionally, the language of instruction is English.
Founded in 1863, as Robert College, it was the first American higher education institution founded outside the United States. Though under Turkish administration today, the university still maintains strong ties to the American educational system.
Boğaziçi University consistently ranks as Turkey's top university and has the greatest number of applicants via the Turkish university entrance examinations, making it the most selective university in Turkey.
History
In 1863, Robert College was founded in Bebek by Christopher Robert, a wealthy American philanthropist, and Cyrus Hamlin, a Congregational missionary devoted to education. Six years after its foundation, the first campus (the current-day Boğaziçi South Campus) was built on the ridge near Rumeli Hisarı (the Rumelian Castle) with the permission of Sultan Abdulaziz.
According to a college catalogue compiled for the 1878–1879 academic year, "the object of the College is to give to its students, without distinction of race or religion, a thorough education equal in all respects to that obtained at a first-class American college and based upon the same general principles."
After Cyrus Hamlin, the college was administered by George Washburn (1877–1903) and Caleb Gates (1903–1932). The college, which was established as an institution of higher learning independent of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) yet holding a significant number of missionaries among its faculty in its earlier years, adopted an entirely secular and non-denominational educational model in 1923 in compliance with the new republican principles of Turkey.
Before 1971, Robert College, had junior high school, high school, and university sections under the names Robert Academy, Robert College, and Robert College Yüksek (Yüksek" meaning "high" in Turkish). In 1971, the Bebek campus and academic staff of Robert College were turned over to the Republic of Turkey to be transformed into a public university named Boğaziçi University, the renamed continuation of Robert College's university section (i.e. Robert College Yüksek). The rest of Robert College moved into the Arnavutköy campus of the American College for Girls; despite continuing to call itself a college it became merely a high school."
In the fall of 1971, Boğaziçi University started its first academic year with former faculty and students of Robert College Yüksek as well as a new cohort of freshman students. Aptullah Kuran, the former vice-president of Robert College Yüksek, was the founding rector of the university. Since then, the university has gradually transformed from a small liberal arts college into a major research university.
In early 2021, the university received a lot of media attention, after the Turkish government appointed a new rector, a post traditionally filled after a democratic election within the university. Students protested against the curtailment of academic freedom. More than 150 students were detained. The new rector dismissed the earlier faculty deans to appoint himself or candidates from outside the university to their positions.
Campus
thumb|Boğaziçi University South Campus Washburn HallBoğaziçi University operates on six campuses in Istanbul. Four of these campuses (South Campus, North Campus, Hisar Campus, and Uçaksavar Campus) are within walking distance to each other on a hill above the affluent district of Bebek on the European side of Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus (hence the name).
The South Campus is considered to be the most popular Boğaziçi University Campus. It houses various historic buildings of Robert College, including Hamlin, Washburn, Theodorus, Dodge, Albert Long and Anderson Halls as well as the Kennedy Lodge, named after John F. Kennedy, and currently serving as a welcoming facility for visiting professors and staff.
The North Campus is home to Aptullah Kuran Library, which contains more than 740,000 printed books, 800,000 e-books, 55,000 e-journals as well as an extensive collection of Braille books, and a collection of rare books and manuscripts.
The Kandilli Campus is on the opposite side of the Bosphorus in Çengelköy, and hosts the historic Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI).
The newest campus is in Kilyos on the Black Sea coast, and is home to a private beach. The Kilyos Campus is the first self-sufficient university campus in the world, meeting all of its electricity demands from its own wind power plant.
Dormitories
The university has ten dormitories on its different campuses. Boğaziçi's First Men's and Women's Dorms are housed in some of the oldest buildings in the historic South Campus and offer students the chance to participated in the university's active social life.
There are also four dormitories on Boğaziçi's North Campus. The First and Second North Campus Dormitories were opened in 198, the former for female students, the latter for males. They have similar 1980s modernist architectural designs. The Third North Campus Dorm was opened for female students in 2010. The Fourth Dormitory of the North Campus has been in service since 2011, and mainly accepts graduate students.
The Kilyos Campus Dormitories are approximately one hour's drive away from Boğaziçi South and North campuses. The First Kilyos Dormitory serves female students while the Second Kilyos Dormitory is for males.
The Superdorm and Kandilli Dorms also provide accommodation to Boğaziçi University students. The Kandilli Dormitory for female students opened in 2017 on the Kandilli Campus. The waste water collected from the bathrooms at the Kandilli Dorm is reused in the toilet reservoirs after treatment.
International rankings
Boğaziçi University ranks first in Turkey and 197th internationally according to U.S. News & World Report 2021 Best Global Universities Rankings, and shares the fifth rank among Turkish universities according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2021 (internationally: 601 – 800).
Music and sports festivals
Taşoda Music Festival is organized by Boğaziçi University Music Club every spring. It is the most important amateur music festival held in Turkey and takes its name from Music Club's studio at the South Campus.
Every May the Boğaziçi Sports Festival is held at the South Campus and other university venues. Usually, some 300 to 800 students from all over the world come to compete in various events.
Departments offering bachelor's degrees Faculty of Arts and SciencesChemistry
History
Linguistics
Mathematics
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Philosophy
Physics
Psychology
Sociology
Translation and Interpreting studies
Turkish language and literature
Western languages and literature (This department was formerly named English Language and Literature. In 2008, the content and courses were rearranged and the name was changed as well.)Faculty of Economics and Administrative SciencesEconomics
Management
Political Science and International RelationsFaculty of EducationComputer Education and Educational Technology
Foreign Language Education
Educational Sciences
Primary Education
Secondary School Science and Mathematics EducationFaculty of EngineeringChemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical EngineeringSchool of Applied DisciplinesManagement Information Systems
International Trade
Tourism AdministrationSchool of Foreign LanguagesAdvanced English
English Preparatory Division
Modern Languages Unit
Institutes offering graduate programs Institute for Graduate Studies in Sciences and EngineeringAutomotive Engineering (M.S.)
Chemical Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Chemistry (M.S., PhD)
Civil Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Computational Science and Engineering (M.S.)
Computer Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Engineering & Technology Management (M.S.)
Financial Engineering (M.S.)
Industrial Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Mathematics (M.S., PhD)
Mechanical Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Mechatronics (M.S.)
Medical Systems and Informatics (M.S.)
Molecular Biology and Genetics (M.S., PhD)
Nuclear Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Physics (M.S., PhD)
Secondary School Science Education and Mathematics Education (M.S., PhD)
Software Engineering (M.S.)
Systems and Control Engineering (M.S.)Atatürk Institute for Modern Turkish HistoryModern Turkish History (M.A., PhD)Institute of Biomedical EngineeringBiomedical Engineering (M.S., PhD)Institute of Environmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences (M.S., PhD)
Environmental Technology (M.S., PhD)Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research InstituteEarthquake Engineering (M.S., PhD)
Earthquake Risk Reduction (M.S.)
Geodesy (M.S., PhD)
Geophysics (M.S., PhD)Institute for Graduate Studies in Social SciencesAsian Studies (M.A.)
Business Information Systems (M.A.)
Conference Interpreting (M.A.)
Cognitive Science (M.A.)
Critical and Cultural Studies (M.A.)
Economics (M.A., PhD)
Economics and security (M.A.)
Educational Sciences (M.A., Ph.D.)
English Language Education (M.A., Ph.D.)
English Literature (M.A., Ph.D.)
European Studies (M.A.)
Executive MBA
History (M.A., PhD)
International Trade (M.A.)
Linguistics (M.A., PhD)
Management (M.A., MBA, PhD)
Management Information Systems (M.A.)
Philosophy (M.A., Ph.D.)
Political Science and International Relations (M.A., PhD)
Psychology (M.A., PhD)
Sociology (M.A.)
Social Media Studies (M.A., Ph.D.)
Translation (M.A.)
Translation Studies (PhD)
Turkish Language and Literature (M.A., PhD)Vocational School of Hotel ManagementTourism Administration Program (secondary education)Other Units Department of Fine Arts
Department of Physical Education
Independent centers
Asian Studies Center
Boğaziçi University Center for European Studies
Boğaziçi University Center for Psychological Research and Services
Byzantine Studies Research Center
Center for Economics and EconometricsIstanbul Center for Mathematical Sciences (IMBM)'''
Mithat Alam Film Center
Nafi Baba Sufism, History, and Cultural Heritage Research Center
Nazım Hikmet Culture and Arts Research Center
Peace Education and Research Center
Polymer Research Center
Sustainable Development and Cleaner Production Center (SDCPC)
Student clubs
ADK (Atatürkist Thought Club)
Aviation Club
Ballet Club
Ballroom Dancing Society
Bridge Club
BISAK (Bogazici University Islamic Studies Club)
BUDS (Bogazici University Debating Society)
BUOK (Bogazici University Game Club)
BULGBTİ+ (LGBT Studies Club)
BUMATEK (Bogazici University Machinery and Technology Club)
BUSAS (Bogazici Under Water Sports Club)
BUSOS (Bogazici University Social Services)
BUSUIK (Bogazici University Politics and International Relations Club)
BUYAK (Bogazici University Operations Research Club)
BUHAK (Bogazici University Air Club) (Paragliding)
Chess Club
Cinema Club
IT Club (Compec)
Construction Club
Drama Club
Education and Research Club
Electro-Technology Club
Engineering Society
Environmental Society
Vegan community
Cycling club
Animal rights community
Sustainable Development Goals student chapter
GSK (Fine Arts Club)
BUFK (Folklore Club)
Green Crescent Club
BUED (Literature Club)
Mechanics and Technology Club
Management and Economics Club
Mountaineering Club
Music Club
Operations Research Club
Photography Club
Radio Club
Sailing Club
Riding Club
Science Club
Social Sciences Society
Speleology Club
Sports Committee
Translation Club
Turkish Classical Music Club
Village and Cooperatives Club
Women's Studies Club
Notable alumni
Ezel Akay – Film Director
Engin Ardıç – Writer, Journalist
Nevzat Aydın – CEO and Founder of Yemeksepeti
Gülse Birsel – Screenwriter, Actress, Journalist
Cem Boyner – CEO, Boyner Holding, Former Chairman of TUSIAD
Cansu Canca– Bioethicist, Founder and Director of AI Ethics Lab
Nuri Bilge Ceylan – Film director, Winner of the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival
Tansu Çiller – Former Prime Minister of Turkey, Professor of Economics, Boğaziçi University
Ahmet Davutoğlu – Former Prime Minister of Turkey, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor of International Relations
Sedef Ecer – novelist, playwright, actress and screenwriter
Neşe Erberk – 1983 Miss Turkey, 1984 Miss Europe
Erden Eruç – First solo human-powered circumnavigation and ocean rowing world record holder
Fahriye Evcen – Actress
Emre Gönensay – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Professor of Economics, Boğaziçi University
Faruk Gul – Professor of Economics, Princeton University
Aydemir Güler – Leader of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP)
Murat Gülsoy – Writer
Nil Karaibrahimgil – Singer and Composer
Perihan Mağden – Writer, Journalist
Fatma Ceren Necipoğlu – Harpist
Hişyar Özsoy – Politician
Güler Sabancı – CEO, Sabancı Holding
Ozge Samanci – Artist, Professor, Northwestern University
Defne Samyeli – News reporter, Anchorwoman, Actress
Mete Sozen – Professor of Structural Engineering, Purdue University
Barış Tan - Professor of Operations Management and Industrial Engineering at Koç University
Harun Tekin – Rock musician, Frontman of Mor ve Ötesi
Teoman – Singer and Composer
Murat Ülker – Chairman of Yıldız Holding and Ülker
Ahmet Yalçınkaya – Poet
Ahmet Yildiz – Professor of Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley
Cem Yılmaz – Comedian, Actor, Cartoonist
Derviş Zaim – Film Director, Writer
Pelin Batu – Actress, Writer
Notable faculty
Ayşe Buğra – Professor of Political Economy
Şevket Pamuk – Professor of Economic History, former president of European Historical Economics Society
Şerif Mardin – Professor of Sociology and Political Science
Kemal Kirişci – Professor of International Relations, Director of European Studies Center
John Freely – Professor of Physics, Author
Selim Deringil – Professor of History
Nevra Necipoğlu – Professor of History
Cahit Arf (1910–1997) Mathematician
Cem Yıldırım – Professor of Mathematics
Betül Tanbay – Professor of Mathematics
Attila Aşkar – Professor of Mathematics, Rector of Koç University between 2001 and 2009
Erdal İnönü – Former Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Former Dean, Professor Emeritus of Physics, Sabancı University, recipient of the Wigner Medal 2004
Tansu Çiller – Former Prime Minister of Turkey, Professor of Economics
Lale Akarun – Professor of Computer Engineering
Ersin Kalaycıoğlu – Professor of Political Science, Rector of Işık University since 2004
Karl von Terzaghi – Civil engineer, known as the Father of Soil Mechanics
Heath Lowry – Professor of History, Princeton University
Aptullah Kuran – Professor of Art History, Student Dean, Formerly of Robert College, First Rector of Boğaziçi University (deceased)
Engin Arık – Professor of Physics (deceased)
Rectors
Cyrus Hamlin (1863–1877)
George Washburn (1878–1903)
Caleb F. Gates (1903–1932)
Paul Monroe (1932–1935)
Walter L. Wright Jr (1935–1943)
Floyd H. Black (1944–1955)
Duncans Balantine (1955–1961)
Patrick Murphy Malin (1962–1965)
Dwight James Simpson (1965–1967)
John Scott Everton (1968–1971)
Aptullah Kuran (1971–1979)
Semih Tezcan (1979–1982)
Ergün Toğrol (1982–1992)
Üstün Ergüder (1992–2000)
Sabih Tansal (2000–2004)
Ayşe Soysal (2004–2008)
Kadri Özçaldıran (2008–2012)
Gülay Barbarosoğlu (2012–2016)
(appointed) Mehmed Özkan (2016–2021)
(appointed) Melih Bulu (2021)
(appointed) Naci Inci (2022)
Current political events
The 1980 military coup gave the Turkish presidents the authority to appoint rector candidates who came second in the university rector elections, ensuring that the government has the ultimate control over higher educational institutions in the country. But Boğaziçi University during this process developed the tradition that once the rector elections are held within the campus, all of the candidates, except the front-runner, withdraw from candidacy to ensure the appointment of the democratically elected rector by the president. But in 2021 an external candidate Melih Bulu, who had direct ties to the ruling party was appointed rector of the university by the order of the President of Turkey. This decision has triggered huge protests among both students, faculty, and alumni. After a period of internal struggle, Melih Bulu who do not have strong academic ties with the university, was fired from the office by Erdoğan. Following this, Naci İnci, another government backed contender, is appointed to the office. Again, mass protests are held against this decision. Since the latter appointment, many prominent faculty members as well as administrative personnel of the university are removed from their positions.
See also
Robert College
List of universities in Turkey
List of universities in Istanbul
Boğaziçi Üniversitesi (Istanbul Metro)
References
Further reading
Ata, Ranan. 2006. Boğaziçi Üniversitesi'nde Sonbahar. Istanbul: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları.
Çıracıoğlu, Vecdi and Mustafa Baykan. 2013. Bilim Yolunda 100 Yıl: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi. Istanbul: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları.
Freely, John. 2012. A Bridge of Culture: Robert College-Bogazici University: How An American College in Istanbul Became A Turkish University. Istanbul: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları.
Freely, John. 2009. A History of Robert College. Istanbul: YKY.
Hamlin Cyrus, 2014. Among The Turks – My Life and Times. Istanbul: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları (Originally published separately by Robert Carter & Brothers, New York, 1878; and Congregational School and Publishing Society, Boston and Chicago, 1893).
Kuran, Aptullah, 2013, Bir Kurucu Rektörün Anıları: Robert Kolej Yüksekokulu'ndan Boğaziçi Üniversitesi'ne. Istanbul: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları.
Washburn, George. 2012. Fifty Years in Constantinople and Recollections of Robert College.'' Istanbul: Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Yayınları (Originally published by Houghton Mufflin Company, Boston and New York, 1909).
External links
Boğaziçi University home page
Boğaziçi University main page
1863 establishments in the Ottoman Empire
1971 establishments in Turkey
Universities and colleges established in 1971
Bosphorus
Istanbul Central Business District