Çukurova University (ÇÜ)

Çukurova University (ÇÜ) is a public university established in 1973 in Adana. It conducts higher education activities across various campuses, primarily the Balcalı Campus located in the center of Adana.

History

The academic foundations of Çukurova University trace back to the Faculty of Agriculture, established in 1969 under Ankara University, and the Faculty of Medicine, which began operations in 1972 under Atatürk University. These two academic units were merged under Law No. 1786 dated 30 November 1973, formally establishing the university.

Shortly after its establishment, in 1974, the Faculties of Basic Sciences, Administrative Sciences, and Engineering were launched, increasing the number of faculties to five. Following the higher education reforms of 1982, the Adana Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences and the Foreign Languages Colleges in Adana, İçel, and Hatay were incorporated into the university. As a result, the Faculty of Basic Sciences became the Faculty of Science and Letters, the Faculty of Administrative Sciences became the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, and the Faculty of Engineering was transformed into the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.

Having become a regional center of education, Çukurova University contributed to the establishment of three new universities in 1992 through the separation of some of its units. Mersin University, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, and Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University were founded on faculties, colleges, and research centers transferred from Çukurova University. Following this reduction, the university resumed its growth process starting in 1993 with the opening of new faculties: Faculty of Aquatic Products, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Communication. In 2007, with the establishment of Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, units in Osmaniye and Kadirli were transferred to the new institution. In 2012, the university was accredited by the European Commission with the Diploma Supplement Label and continues to offer a broad range of academic programs today.

Çukurova University (Çukurova University)

Campuses

The main campus of the university is the Balcalı Campus, located along the shores of the Seyhan Dam Lake. Designed according to the principles of a “Green Campus” and sustainability, this area includes faculty buildings, a central library, the Medico-Social Center, dormitories, and student housing. On-campus dining halls and various social facilities meet students’ nutritional and recreational needs. Additionally, specialized support offices such as the Unit Against Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault operate within the campus. Outside the central campus, there are additional campuses in various districts of Adana housing vocational colleges. ^【1】

Academic Units

Faculties

Institutes

Colleges and Conservatory

Vocational Schools

Student Profile

According to 2024 data, Çukurova University has a total of 48,173 enrolled students. Of these, 11,778 are associate degree students, 30,941 are undergraduate students, and 5,454 are graduate students. ^【2】

Admission to the university for associate and undergraduate programs is based on results of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) organized by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Certain units such as the Faculty of Fine Arts, State Conservatory, and Faculty of Sports Sciences admit students through special talent examinations.

Departments

Çukurova University offers numerous programs at the undergraduate and associate degree levels.

Undergraduate Programs

The Faculty of Education offers departments in German Language, Computer and Instructional Technologies, Philosophy Group, Science Education, French Language, Primary Mathematics, English Language, Preschool Education, Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Classroom Teaching, Social Studies, and Turkish Language and Literature. The Faculty of Science and Letters includes departments in Archaeology, Computer Science, Biology, Physics, Statistics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology, Turkish Language and Literature, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

In the field of health sciences, in addition to the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine, the Faculty of Health Sciences provides programs in Nutrition and Dietetics, Midwifery, and Nursing.

In engineering disciplines, departments include Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, and Textile Engineering. The Faculty of Architecture offers Interior Architecture, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture. The Faculty of Agriculture includes departments in Horticultural Crops, Plant Protection, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Agricultural Structures and Irrigation, Field Crops, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, and Zootechnics.

In the fields of Economic and Administrative Sciences and other faculties, departments include Econometrics, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Political Science and International Relations, Journalism, Law, Theology, Communication Sciences, Radio Television and Cinema, Sports Management, Aquatic Products Engineering, and Graphic Design.

Associate Degree Programs

In Health Services Vocational Schools, programs include Oral and Dental Health, Anesthesiology, Dental Prosthetic Technology, Physiotherapy, First Aid and Emergency Care, Medical Documentation and Secretarial Services, Medical Imaging Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques, Medical Data Processing Technology, and Elderly Care.

In the field of technical sciences, training is provided in Computer-Aided Design and Animation, Computer Programming, Computer Technology, CNC Programming and Operation, Geographic Information Systems, Natural Gas and Installation Technology, Electricity, Electricity Generation Transmission and Distribution, Electronic Communication Technology, Electronic Technology, Cartography and Cadastre, Heating and Cooling Technology, Construction Technology, Occupational Health and Safety, Laboratory Technology, Mining Technology, Machinery, Automotive Technology, Underwater Technology, Agricultural Machinery and Textile Technology.

In the social and administrative fields, programs include Banking and Insurance, Office Management and Executive Assistance, Child Development, Foreign Trade, Real Estate Management, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Accounting and Tax Applications, Office Technologies and Data Management, Marketing, Radio and Television Programming, Hair Care and Beauty Services, Civil Defense and Firefighting, Tourism and Hotel Management, Tourism and Travel Services, and Local Governance. In the agricultural sector, programs include Hunting and Wildlife, Horticulture, Organic Farming, Forestry and Forest Products, Greenhouse Cultivation, and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

International Activities

Çukurova University is a partner in the “European University for Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies” (EUPeace) project, supported by the European University Association as part of its internationalization strategy. ^【3】 The university also supports student and academic mobility through Erasmus+, Mevlana, and Farabi exchange programs.

Çukurova University (Çukurova University)

Awards and Achievements

Çukurova University has achieved the following accomplishments in academic rankings, student projects, and societal contributions:

• Sustainability Achievement (GreenMetric): The university ranks 303rd globally and 31st nationally in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, which evaluates campuses’ environmental sustainability and green space management as of 2024. Since 2019, the university has maintained its position on the list and has also been awarded the “Greenest Office” plaque. ^【4】
• Academic Field Ranking (QS): In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, Çukurova University rose to the 201–250 band in the “Agriculture & Forestry” category, sharing the top position in Türkiye alongside Ankara University in this field. ^【5】
• Technology and Vehicle Competitions: The university’s “1.5 Adana” team placed third in Turkey in the “Defense, Space, and Aviation” category of the University Student Research Project Competitions held under TEKNOFEST 2025. The team has also won numerous championships and placements in the Shell Eco-marathon Europe & Africa and TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge electric vehicle competitions between 2014 and 2022. The 1.5 Adana APS Robotics Team placed fourth in the Robolig Competition of Teknofest 2024. ^【6】
• Patent Commercialization: The patent for the “Monte Wearable Scooter Safety Equipment,” developed by Associate Professor Dr. Yusuf Kuvvetli of the Department of Industrial Engineering, has been commercialized through collaboration with the private sector and is recorded as the university’s first commercially licensed patent in this field. ^【7】
• Disability-Friendly University Awards: Under the “Disability-Friendly University Awards” granted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), several units of the university have received the “Orange Flag” award for accessibility improvements on campus and services provided to students with disabilities. ^【8】
• Arts and Design Awards: Students from the Faculty of Communication competed in the finals of the 30th Adana Altın Koza Film Festival with their films. Students from the Faculty of Fine Arts won first prizes in both print and weave categories of the GATHİB Fabric Design Competition. ^【9】

Student Life

The Balcalı Campus provides students with social and cultural opportunities alongside academic education. The Central Library offers extensive resource access. For sports activities, the campus features indoor sports halls, swimming pools, football fields, and tennis courts. Accommodation needs are met through dormitories operated by the Credit and Hostels Institution (KYK) and university-owned housing. Additionally, students participate in scientific, cultural, and artistic activities through clubs operating under the Medico-Social Center. ^【10】