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Middle East Technical University

Middle East Technical University (METU) (In Turkish: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi) is an international university well known for its qualified scientific education and research in the Middle East and most of its engineering faculties has been accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology as "substantially equivalent similarly titled and accredited programs in the U.S.A." It is located in Ankara, Turkey and was founded in 1956 as a state university. The language of instruction at METU is English.

Image:METU_logo.png
- Emblem of METU -

Contents

Summary

METU had over 20,000 registered students in the academic year 2003-2004.

METU has 37 undergraduate programs within 5 faculties:

  • Faculty of Architecture
  • Faculty of Arts and Sciences
  • Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Engineering

Its library has 331,000 books and 149,000 bound periodicals as of 2003.

METU Computer Center runs Turkey's Top Level Domain service (.tr domain).


History

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 6387" 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 Kızılay'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 37 undergraduate programs in five faculties of METU.

METU Today

There are 67 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 Mersin-Erdemli .

The language of instruction at METU is American English. METU School of Foreign Languages takes the initiative to teach English to students at Preparatory School (PS).

Owing to the high 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 most distinguished respectable institutions in Turkey. As of 2004, the University employs 647 faculty (professors, associates professors etc.), 321 academic instructors, over 1,400 research assistants and over 15,000 students. The total number of the alumni now is 543,726 (345,907 of which have completed undergraduate programs.)

Accomplishments

Middle East Technical University (METU) is one of the most academically developed universities in Turkey and it provides a diversified variety of education through highest standards of education capability and scientific research, through its libraries and laboratories.

METU tries to enhance research, creativity, innovation, culture, arts, advanced thinking and excellence in teaching, apart from the scientific excellence that it aims to achieve. METU has long become one of the most exceptional and distinguished Universities of Turkey. Environmental issues are among the serious concerns of the University.

METU is the only University that was awarded the International 1995 Aga Khan Award for Architecture for its Forestation Program and this prize, coincidentally, was received when the 40th anniversary of METU was being celebrated.

METU aims to help students fulfill their potential and tries to attain world standards within the concerns of education. At the same time provides opportunities for students to enhance their capabilities in diversified areas like culture, arts, sports etc. in the free and creative environment of the University.

External links

Last updated: 05-16-2005 21:34:20