Middle East Technical University in Turkey 

Middle East Technical University is founded under the name of "Orta Doğu Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü" (Middle East High Technology Institute) on November 15, 1956 to contribute to the development of Türkiye 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 29, 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 27, 1959.

METU as a pioneer of high quality university education in Türkiye, introduced new methods and innovations in research to Turkish higher education system. 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 (Türkiye's National Grand Assembly). In 1963, the University moved to its current campus location which is the first university campus of Türkiye.

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 41 undergraduate programs in five faculties of METU.

There are 107 graduate and 69 doctorate 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.

As a distinguished research university, METU has been commited to excellence in science and top-quality higher education since its foundation. Today, the University is proud to employ about 791 faculty (professors, associates professors etc.), 225 academic instructors and 1.273 research assistants. It is a great pleasure to offer education to over 28.000 students. The total number of the alumni now is above 120.000.

CORE VALUES

Commitment to Campus Heritage

METUnians are devoted to the METU campus as a cultural heritage and stake a claim to it as the campus enables the creation and institutionalization of a common culture with its relatively autonomous location in a human-grown forest, its set-up that collects all its units in a spatial continuity, its spaces and deep-rooted history that have ingrained in social memory, and offers an opportunity for the internalization of an aesthetic sensation with the impact of its unique architecture, landscape, works of art and events that realize within.

Cooperative Individualism

When expressing their individual opinions and values, students, administrative and academic staff at METU act together irrespective of their titles, positions and units, and exhibit readiness to meet challenges with their libertarian attitudes.

Credibility

METUnians take their decisions based on objective data and information, independent of external manipulations and without allowing conflicts of interest; they fulfill their duties with a sense of responsibility in light of ethical values, scientific criteria and the rule of law.

High Academic Quality

METUnians embrace the environment which enables the ability to follow scientific developments at an international level and to contribute to such developments, and which motivates the desire for learning and research, the conduct of scientific research and education at high standards in a framework of universal ethical principles, and the community of students and faculty selected, again through high standards, as the fundamental constituents of METU’s high academic quality.

Informed Self-Confidence

With an awareness of the boundaries of their knowledge, ability and authority, METUnians act boldly and resolutely in fulfilling their responsibilities and solving the issues they encounter, and when necessary, self-criticize.

Innovativeness and Leadership

METUnians follow and implement novel methods and approaches in technology, education, research and management, and develop unique systems, programs and constructs that will serve as models in line with the needs of the society and universities.

Investigative Approach

METUnians adopt an investigative/critical approach before making a judgment, while accessing information, conducting scientific research, or when social issues are in question, and come to a conclusion by analyzing cases in an objective manner.

Merit

Embracing the fact that their success and positions are deserved rights as a natural consequence of their competence and perseverance, METUnians safeguard that recruitment and other evaluation processes are conducted on the basis of objective standards and self-efficacy.

Respect for Humanity

While METUnians consider and protect the rights and freedoms of others, they regard diversity as a wealth, oppose any kind of discrimination and exhibit an unbiased, egalitarian approach based on respect to humanity in all their relations.

Scientific Freedom

METUnians deem the conduct of scientific research and development, education and training activities without being subject to pressures and influences other than scientific criteria, and the creation of free discussion environments to this end, as the invariable conditions of scientific freedom.

Sensitivity to the Natural Environment

METUnians regard the forest cultivated on the university’s land and the ecological diversity within as a value; they attach importance to its conservation and improvement, and, in general, strive for the creation of sensitivity towards the natural environment and the spread of protectionist tendencies.

Social Responsibility

METUnians are responsive to social problems and develop opinions on solutions to them, conduct social responsibility projects and engage in outreach activities for the widespread internalization of science and the scientific approach by the society.