Bitlis Eren University (BEÜ)

Bitlis Eren University (BEU) is a state university established by Law No. 5662, published in the Official Gazette No. 26536 on 29 May 2007. The institution is located in the city of Bitlis in Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye and is the only higher education institution in the city.

History

The university acquired its legal personality through the law adopted in 2007. At the time of its establishment, its academic structure consisted of three faculties, two institutes, one college, and five vocational colleges. Over time, the institution has expanded its academic units and physical capacity and currently operates with six faculties, one graduate school, two colleges, nine vocational colleges, and seventeen application and research centers.

Image of Bitlis Eren University (Bitlis Eren University

Campuses

The main campus of Bitlis Eren University is located in the Rahva neighborhood of Bitlis city center. In addition to this campus, which houses the rectorate and main academic units, educational activities are carried out in other campuses spread across the city center and districts. One campus in the Hüsrevpaşa neighborhood of Bitlis hosts the Vocational Colleges of Social Sciences and Technical Sciences. In the districts, campuses in Tatvan, Adilcevaz, and Güroymak serve as homes to the respective vocational colleges. The campus in Ahlat district hosts both the Ahlat Vocational College and the Kanık Applied Sciences College.

Academic Units

Academic activities at the university are conducted under the umbrella of faculties, institutes, colleges, and vocational colleges.

Faculties

• Faculty of Letters and Sciences
• Faculty of Fine Arts
• Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Theology
• Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Sports Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine

Institutes

• Graduate School of Education

Colleges

• Kanık Applied Sciences College
• College of Foreign Languages

Vocational Colleges

• Adilcevaz Vocational College
• Ahlat Vocational College
• Güroymak Vocational College
• Hizan Vocational College
• Organized Industrial Zone Vocational College
• Health Services Vocational College
• Social Sciences Vocational College
• Tatvan Vocational College
• Technical Sciences Vocational College

Student Profile

According to current data, Bitlis Eren University hosts 15,480 enrolled students.^【1】 Student admissions are conducted based on results of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) organized by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Students are admitted to associate degree programs through the Basic Eligibility Test (TYT) and to bachelor’s degree programs through the Field Eligibility Tests (AYT).

Departments

Bitlis Eren University offers undergraduate and associate degree educational programs through its faculties and colleges.

Undergraduate Programs Undergraduate programs are delivered by faculties and colleges. Programs offered by the Faculty of Letters and Sciences include Arabic Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Art History, Sociology, History, and Turkish Language and Literature.

In the field of engineering, the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture offers programs in Computer Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Undergraduate programs in health sciences are provided by the Faculty of Health Sciences and include Nutrition and Dietetics, Midwifery, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Nursing, and Social Work.

The Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences offers programs in Economics, Business Administration, Political Science and Public Administration, and International Relations. In the field of religious sciences, the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences offer programs in Theology and Islamic Sciences (including M.T.O.K.).

Other undergraduate programs include Radio, Television and Cinema at the Faculty of Fine Arts, and Gastronomy and Culinary Arts and Tourism Management at the Kanık Applied Sciences College in Ahlat.

Associate Degree Programs

Associate degree programs are delivered through nine vocational colleges located in the city center and districts. The Health Services Vocational College offers programs in Anesthesiology, Environmental Health, Child Development, First Aid and Emergency Care, Opticianry, Pathology Laboratory Techniques, Medical Imaging Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques, and Elderly Care.

The Technical Sciences Vocational College offers technical programs such as Biomedical Device Technology, Construction Technology, Machinery, Mechatronics, Architectural Restoration, Automotive Technology, Civil Defense and Firefighting, Land Registry and Cadastre, and Transportation and Traffic Services.

The Social Sciences Vocational College offers programs in Culinary Arts, Call Center Services, Occupational Health and Safety, Accounting and Tax Applications, Healthcare Institution Management, Social Security, and Sports Management.

The vocational colleges in the districts provide programs tailored to local needs. The Tatvan Vocational College offers programs in Marine and Port Management and Cartography and Cadastre. The Ahlat Vocational College offers programs in Heritage Conservation, Architectural Decorative Arts, and Ceramics and Glass Design. The Adilcevaz Vocational College offers programs in Private Security and Protection and Postal Services. The Hizan Vocational College offers programs in Beekeeping, Logistics, and Court Office Services. The Güroymak Vocational College offers programs in Photography and Cinematography. Additionally, the Organized Industrial Zone Vocational College offers programs in Electricity, Food Technology, and Welding Technology.

Image of Bitlis Eren University (Bitlis Eren University

International Activities

Bitlis Eren University implements various exchange programs through its Office of International Relations as part of its internationalization strategy. The university facilitates student and academic staff mobility with higher education institutions in Europe under the Erasmus+ Program and with universities in other regions of the world under the Mevlana Exchange Program.

Awards and Achievements

Bitlis Eren University has received various national and international awards for its academic work, student projects, and cultural activities.

Achievements in Gastronomy: Students from the Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department of the Kanık Applied Sciences College have won several awards in the “University Young Chefs” competition held within the framework of the Adana Flavor Festival. In the individual category, Havva Yalçın won first place (gold medal) with her “Analı Kızlı” presentation. In team competitions, the team earned second place with the menu themed “Three Voices of Anatolia” and fourth place with the menu themed “A Bite of Çukurova.”^【2】

Farabi International Award: Professor Dr. Vural Genç from the university’s academic staff won the “Best Foreign Research Award” at the 15th Farabi International Awards, organized by a social and humanities organization, for his work titled “A Bureaucrat and Historian From Ajam to Rum: Idris-i Bidlisi 1457-1520.” The award was presented at a ceremony held in Tehran.^【3】

Documentary Film Award: The documentary “Madak,” prepared with the support of the university and directed by Professor Dr. Sedat Benek, was awarded “Best Documentary” at the 4th Youality International Film Festival held in Paris. The documentary focuses on cattle breeding and the relationship with nature in the Budaklı Village of Güroymak district in Bitlis.^【4】

Academic Publication Ranking: According to the Higher Education Council’s (YÖK) 2024 “University Monitoring and Evaluation Report,” Bitlis Eren University ranked third nationally among 201 universities in the category of articles published per academic staff member in peer-reviewed national journals.^【5】

TÜBİTAK 2209 Project Support: Under the “TÜBİTAK 2209-A University Student Research Projects Support Program,” four projects prepared by students from the Mathematics Department of the university were accepted and granted support. The accepted projects include topics such as analysis of geometric patterns, 3D modeling with GeoGebra, fractal geometry, and augmented reality applications.^【6】

Student Life

The Rahva campus and district campuses provide facilities to meet students’ academic, social, cultural, and sports needs. The campus includes a library, study halls, a cafeteria, and various sports facilities. Events organized through student associations contribute to the social dynamics of campus life.