Istanbul Haliç University

Haliç University was established on 14 January 1998 under Law No. 4324 by the Bizim Lösemili Çocuklar Vakfı (Foundation for Children with Leukemia), and academic activity officially began on 23 November of the same year. The university's name itself refers to the Golden Horn (Haliç) — historically the heart of science, art and culture in Istanbul, symbolizing the continuity of centuries-old intellectual traditions. At its founding, the university included faculties of medicine, science and letters, engineering and business administration, as well as Higher Schools of Nursing, Aquaculture, Physical Education and Sports, an Institute of Health Sciences, and a Conservatory — the first private conservatory in the history of the Turkish Republic, opened in 1999 with a Department of Turkish Music. Initially, classes were held in a building in the Mecidiyeköy district, the sports faculties were hosted at the facilities of the Turkish Sports Writers Association (TSYD) in Levent, and the conservatory occupied a historic building in Şişhane. A pivotal milestone was the move to the Sütlüce campus on the shore of the Golden Horn, built on the site of a historic industrial complex — here all academic units were brought together under one roof in a modern architectural ensemble. In 2002, by decision of the Council of Ministers, the Institute of Science and the Institute of Social Sciences were established, and in 2003 the Faculty of Fine Arts was created, strengthening the university's creative direction. In 2023, the university implemented its ambitious "All in One" concept, relocating all academic programs to a new campus in 5. Levent (Eyüpsultan) with a total enclosed area of about 200,000 m², including modern laboratories, simulation centers, creative workshops and sports facilities. Today Haliç University comprises eight faculties — Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Business, Science and Letters, Fine Arts, Health Sciences and Sports Sciences — together with the Conservatory, a Vocational School and an Institute of Graduate Studies. The institution is accredited by TEPDAD (medicine), MÜDEK (engineering programs) and FEDEK (sciences — American culture and literature, translation and interpreting, mathematics, psychology, Turkish language and literature), and is part of YÖKAK's quality assurance system. More than 160 Erasmus+ agreements connect the university with European institutions, and its international student community of more than 2,000 students comes from over 50 countries. Over more than a quarter of a century, Haliç has educated thousands of doctors, engineers, designers, musicians and athletes, establishing itself as one of the most dynamically developing private universities in Turkey.

The mission of Haliç University is to nurture a new generation of professionals capable of combining deep academic knowledge with critical thinking and a creative approach to address the most complex global challenges. The university aims to create an innovative, technologically equipped educational environment in which interdisciplinary research becomes the foundation for scientific discoveries and practical solutions in medicine, engineering, art and sports. A special place in the mission is held by the preservation and development of cultural heritage: the Haliç Conservatory — Turkey's first private conservatory — trains musicians, opera performers and theater professionals of international caliber, continuing the traditions of Turkish musical culture. The university strives to ensure that every student gains access to the international academic space through more than 160 Erasmus+ partnership agreements, double-degree programs and internships at leading companies. Principles of ethics, social responsibility and service to society — inherited from the Foundation for Children with Leukemia — permeate every activity of the university: from volunteer projects and free medical consultations to inclusive education programs. Haliç University is convinced that the true quality of education is measured not only by the level of training of its graduates, but also by their contribution to building a fair, sustainable and culturally rich society.