Ege University

University in İzmir, Turkey

Ege University or Aegean University (Ege Üniversitesi) is a public research university in Bornova, İzmir. It was founded in 1955 with the faculties of Medicine and Agriculture. It is the first university to start courses in İzmir and the 4th oldest university in Turkey.

By 1982, Ege University was one of the largest universities in Turkey with 19 faculties, 9 junior college type schools and 8 institutes. That same year, part of the university was separated into a new university, Dokuz Eylül University. After the division, Ege University had 7 faculties, 3 junior college type schools and approximately 9000 students. It currently consists of 15 faculties, 6 junior college type schools, 10 vocational training schools, 9 institutes and 36 research centres.

Bornova Campus of Ege University is situated on an area of 370 hectares. The campus covers a wide range of facilities including culture, sports and social services. Car park, road and traffic signs and directions are available throughout. Intercity, national and international communication from the campus is possible owing to phone lines and a computer network. The General Directorate of Students' Credits and Dormitories administers dormitories, which provide facilities for 6000 students on campus. Apart from the rectorate and university campus in Bornova, there are vocational training schools in Tire, Bergama, Bayındır and Ödemiş, Atatürk Cultural Center in Konak, applied educational centers in Urla, Menemen, Mordoğan, Çiğli and Özdere, and an observatory in Kurudağ. With these facilities, Ege University serves the students and the public in terms of education, science, health, social, and cultural services. To extend these services, a West Campus was recently [when?] established in Çeşme.

Ege University offers opportunities for personal, cultural, social and professional development that complement the richly complex and challenging academic life. These activities take place in the newly restored Culture and Arts Hall with accommodation for 330 spectators, the Amphitheater with accommodation for 5000 spectators, Atatürk Cultural Center (with 2 auditoriums with accommodation respectively for 654 and 628 spectators, 4 seminar rooms with accommodation for 45 spectators, a theater hall, 8 workshop rooms with accommodation for 12 spectators, and an exhibition gallery with a capacity of 800 guests) and the conference halls of faculties and schools. At the beginning of each academic year and during the weekend, parties are organized for students' enjoyment as a change of pace from academic routine. Excursions to historical and tourist sites are organized. An Art Gallery was established in March 1997, and it provides a place for exhibitions. Art Studios have been established to organize fine arts courses for students. There are 45 student clubs which are active in diverse fields. The General Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports organizes the activities of these student clubs. One of the most favored social and cultural activities in Ege University is the traditional Sports and Arts Festival: It is organized every year during May. Concerts, sport games, cinema and theater presentations, sale and promotion stands, conferences, symposia, scientific meetings, fashion shows and competitions take place during the festival. Also, student groups from other Turkish universities and from foreign countries participate. There is students' camp located in Özdere with a capacity of 200 beds. There are 10 periods in the summer vacation during which students, academic and administrative staff can make use of the camp. The construction of the new private on campus student dormitories with a capacity of 2000 students was completed. The Counseling and Advisory Service Department also helps to provide accommodation.