Middle East Technical University is founded
under the name of "Orta Doğu Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü" (Middle
East High Technology Institute) on November 15th, 1956 to contribute
to the development of Turkey and Middle East countries and especially
to train people so as to create a skilled workforce in the fields of natural
and social sciences. "Arrangements and Procedures as for the Foundation
of METU, Law No 6887" was enacted on January 29th, 1957. Finally,
"Foundation Act No 7307", which sets forth the particular
standing of METU and describes the conditions rendering METU as a juridical
entity, was enacted on May 27th, 1959.
Middle East Technical University's presence brought about new methods
and introduced innovations to Turkish higher education system manifesting
METU as a pioneer of modern education nationwide. In its earliest years,
part of METU was located in a small building that belonged Social Security
Office of Retirees at Kizilay's Müdafaa Street and the other section
was located in the barracks behind the TBMM (Turkey's National Grand
Assembly). In 1963, the University moved to its current campus location
which is the first university campus of Turkey.
In 1956, the first academic program to start education was the Department
of Architecture. Then in spring semester of 1957, Department of Mechanical
Engineering launched its academic program. At the onset of 1957-1958
academic year, the Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and
Faculty of Administrative Sciences were established. In 1959, the tasks
undertaken to establish Faculty of Arts and Sciences were completed.
Faculty of Education launched its academic program in 1982. Today, there
are a total of 40 undergraduate programs in five faculties of METU.
There are 159 graduate programs available in Graduate Schools of Natural
Sciences, Social Sciences, Informatics, Applied Mathematics and Marine Sciences Graduate
Schools. Marine Sciences conducts the academic program studies at İçel-Erdemli.
The language of instruction at METU is English. METU School of Foreign
Languages takes the initiative to teach English to students at Preparatory
School.
Owing to the quality academic education that emphasizes merit and excellence
in scientific, cultural and intellectual studies as well as owing to
the accomplished and qualified METU graduates, the University has become
one of the distinguished and respectable institutions of Turkey. Today,
the University is proud to employ about 750 faculty (professors, associates
professors etc.), 400 academic instructors and 1,400 research assistants.
It is a great pleasure to offer education to over 23,000 students.
The total number of the alumni now is above 95,000.
Former Presidents of METU:
Name and Surname |
Served Between |
| 1 |
Prof. Dr. Turhan FEYZİOĞLU |
17.08.1960-08.02.1961 |
| 2 |
Prof. Dr. Seha MERAY |
23.02.1961-05.08.1961 |
| 3 |
Kemal KURDAŞ |
20.11.1961-30.11.1969 |
| 4 |
Prof. Dr. Erdal İNÖNÜ |
11.09.1970-09.03.1971 |
| 5 |
Em.Gen. Şefik ERENSÜ |
04.06.1971-23.03.1972 |
| 6 |
Prof. Dr. İsmet ORDEMİR |
01.04.1972-01.04.1974 |
| 7 |
Prof. Dr. Tarık SOMER |
01.04.1974-04.04.1976 |
| 8 |
Prof. Dr. Ilgaz ALYANAK |
05.04.1976-12.02.1977 |
| 9 |
Prof. Dr. Hasan TAN |
14.02.1977-05.10.1977 |
| 10 |
Prof. Dr. Nuri SARYAL |
05.10.1977-25.06.1979 |
| 11 |
Prof. Dr. Mehmet KICIMAN |
25.06.1979-31.07.1982 |
| 12 |
Prof. Dr. Mehmet GÖNLÜBOL |
01.08.1982-31.07.1987 |
| 13 |
Prof. Dr. Ömer SAATÇIOĞLU |
01.08.1987-19.08.1992 |
| 14 |
Prof. Dr. Suha SEVÜK |
20.08.1992-06.08.2000 |
| 15 |
Prof. Dr. Ural AKBULUT |
07.08.2000-05.08.2008 |
| 16 |
Prof. Dr. Ahmet ACAR |
06.08.2008-Continuing |
