A Brief History
One of the main characteristics in this leadership role is to realize reforms as required by circumstances. Thus, the Faculty of Economics continues to play it’s a guiding and influential role in the social and cultural life of Turkey. We can see this clearly when we examine the line of historical development of the University. In fact, Istanbul University functions as a reflection of Turkey’s history of science and independence.
The foundation of Istanbul University was accomplished when Mehmet the Conqueror conquered Istanbul. Education began in theological schools (“medreses” as they were then called) and, contunied along religious lines until the end of the 16th Century; these schools were nevertheless instrumental in educating the ruling cadres of the Ottoman society. However, when the “medreses” were no longer able to retain their grip on the modern world, a restructuring process began, and as a result, the institutions of higher education called “Darulfunun”, the nuclei of Istanbul University, were established.
Through the educational reforms instigated with the founding of the Republic, the “medreses” were abolished in 1924, and, as a first step in modernization, Istanbul Darulfunun was established, comprising the fields of medicine, law, literature, theology, and science. The new institution was named Istanbul University, and in accordance with Ataturk’s university reform, higher education was restructured in Turkey to meet the demands of the contemporary world. During the 1930’s, Istanbul University welcomed foreign academics who fled Germany and became members of the teaching staff.
When the Republic was founded, Istanbul University was the only institution of higher education in Turkey. For this reason, it has been a recruitment source for all the universities existing in Turkey today, and many academics educated here have established relations with other institutions. Thus, Istanbul University has always been instrumental in the training and strengthening of our country’s scientific cadres.
